Calls for Art

We Don’t Need This Fascist Groove Thang

2025 Annual Exhibition Juried by Joseph DeLappe

From December 4, 2025– February 21, 2026, CoCA will present the latest incarnation of its storied series exploring contemporary art, the CoCA Annual, a juried group exhibition seeking work from emerging as well as established artists in the Northwest and worldwide. For the 25th edition, CoCA is proud to announce Joseph DeLappe as juror.

Joseph DeLappe, (American, b. 1963), is an artist, activist and educator, currently working in Scotland, where he is the Professor of Games and Tactical Media at Abertay University, Dundee. Working with electronic and digital media since 1983, his projects in online gaming performance, sculpture and electromechanical installation have been shown throughout the world. Considered a pioneer in the critical and creative engagement of video games, performance, activism and community-based practices, DeLappe co-edited INCITE: Digital Art and Activism (Peacock Visual Arts) with art historian and curator Dr. Laura Leuzzi in 2023. In 2017 he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in the Fine Arts. We are grateful to him for the following description of the exhibition:

Joseph DeLappe, “Liberty Weeps”
cardboard, 2015, dim. var., courtesy of the artist

We Don’t Need This Fascist Groove Thang

The world we inhabit is in a state of ongoing upheaval. We have witnessed the onslaught of authoritarianism in the USA, with escalating attacks on civil rights, immigrants, the degradation of freedom of speech and expression, reversals on reproductive autonomy, the erasure of LGBTQIA+ rights, etc. Our collective landscape continues to grow more volatile. We have lived through the global pandemic, witnessed systemic state violence against minorities, witnessed the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the brutal genocide in Gaza, intensifying climate catastrophes, and felt the shockwaves of Roe v. Wade being overturned. The ongoing erosion of democratic institutions, and the weaponization of digital technologies have only deepened the sense of instability.

In these struggles, is it possible, even necessary, for artists, technologists, writers, and activists to imagine alternative futures, challenging dominant narratives, and carve out spaces of truth, dissent, and hope?

We Don’t Need This Fascist Groove Thang is a call for artworks across all media that respond to our current moment of intersecting crises. We are seeking works that confront, question, and resist the politics of authoritarianism, nationalism, and hate, while also proposing creative strategies for care, solidarity, survival, and beauty. We welcome submissions in any form—visual art, performance, games, writing, film, sound, installation, digital media, and hybrid practices. This exhibition is rooted in the belief that creativity is both a tool of resistance and a catalyst for change. Let’s come together to insist that another world is possible—and that we don’t need this fascist groove thang!

The deadline for submissions is midnight on Sunday, November 9. There will be a series of opening receptions, all on the Pioneer Square ArtWalk on First Thursday, December 4, January 1 st , and February 5 at CoCA’s Pioneer Square location inside the Tashiro Kaplan Building at 114 Third Ave. South, Seattle, 98104. Other related events and performances will be determined from the submissions.

Artists in any region and any country are welcome to submit. A $500 first prize, $250 second prize, and $150 3 rd prize will be awarded by the juror, as well as up to two $50 “honorable mentions” featured on CoCA’s website and become part of the ongoing 45- year archive (Prize monies in USD). A catalog of the show will feature artists’ statements, biographies, and images, as well as a short introductory essay by the juror.

To apply:

Applications are electronic and can be made entirely online at http://www.cocaseattle.net/submit.

Deadline: electronic submission completed as of midnight on November 9, 2025. The online system will ask you to:

  • Submit up to 10 images of the artwork for consideration. Format is jpg file, max. dimension of 2400 pixels in at least one direction. For video / performance / dance, please include a link and make sure that access is open for review period (or include password in Work Description).

  • Enter a Work Description (max. 500 words): In addition to title, dimensions, edition, medium, year, and price (or NFS) for each artwork, consider the body of work as a unit, indicating whether new work or old, part of a series or not, previously exhibited, result of a collaboration, etc. Artwork is for sale at 60% Artist, 40% CoCA (70% Artist, 30% CoCA for members) and can also be “NFS.”

  • Upload an Artist’s statement specific to the theme of the exhibition (250 words): This will appear in the catalog if accepted.

  • Upload an Artist’s biography (200 words), including year of birth, city of origin, awards, honors, shows, degrees. This will also appear in the catalog if accepted.

  • $25 (USD) entry fee (PayPal) ($15 CoCA Members). Make sure to note the applicant’s name in the payment.

Offers will be made through email, accompanied by an Art Loan Agreement and additional information by the week of November 17; artists must confirm by email no later than November 20.

Please note that selected work must be shipped, transmitted, or dropped off to the gallery by November. CoCA insures work during exhibition, but shipping to/from, as well as shipping insurance remain the responsibility of the artist.

COMPLETE EXHIBITION TIMELINE:

Call goes out: Sept. 20
Deadline for Artists: Nov. 9 Sunday at midnight
Online review period: Nov. 10 - 15
Artist confirmations and loan agreements Nov. 16 - 20
Shipping: Week of Nov. 17
Drop-off: Sunday Nov. 23, 12p – 4p, or by arrangement
Catalog deadline for essay: Nov. 17
Install: Nov. 24 – Dec. 3
Opening reception(s): Thursday Dec. 4, Thursday Jan. 1 (TBD), Thursday Feb.5
Exhibition Dates: Dec. 3 – Feb. 21 CoCA
Holiday Closure: December 14 – Dec. 31 De-install: week of Feb. 23 (exhibition is up for 2.5 months)

Please note that selected work must be shipped to the gallery by November 24. CoCA insures work during exhibition, but shipping to/from, as well as shipping insurance remain the responsibility of the artist. Email info@cocaseattle.org  for questions / more information.

Ship to: 
Center on Contemporary Art
114 Third Ave. South
Seattle WA 9104
USA

Call for Guest Curators

In addition to curating its own exhibitions internally, CoCA occasionally contracts with guest curators. Guidelines for submitting proposals follows below. We welcome inquires and questions at info@cocaseattle.org

With an emphasis on emerging artists and a mission to serve as a forum and catalyst for the study of contemporary art, CoCA typically curates group exhibitions rather than focusing on solo exhibitions by mid-career artists. (Nevertheless, we welcome exceptions to any rule.) Please also note that proposals should avoid asking artists for de-facto commissions and should ideally seek existing work. 

  • Proposals should include:

    • 1-page description of proposed exhibition, including title, names of possible artists, or selection criteria if proposing an Open Call. The description should answer the question of how the proposed exhibition helps us understand contemporary art in new ways, advances our understanding of artists, artworks, practice, materials and media, audiences, markets, etc.

    • 1-3 pages of proposed artists and sample artworks (thumbnails, websites, short bios and statements)

    • curatorial resume and written bio of 250 words max.

    • proposals ideally include plan for volunteer staffing of exhibition, gallery hours (currently Thursday-Saturday)

    • budget and funding mechanism, split into two main headings: INCOME and EXPENSES. In a perfect world, the totals for these columns match up perfectly.

    • needs from CoCA

CoCA Gallery Considerations

The gallery is approximately 650 s.f, arranged perpendicular to the storefront on Third Avenue. It is about 14 feet wide and 48 feet deep, with a ceiling height of approximately 15 feet.

The South wall is uninterrupted wall space, whereas the North wall is divided into three bays, divided by 18” wide columns. The bay closest to the window is generally reserved for CoCA signage and sales area, although in special cases, artwork may be integrated into this space by prior arrangement.

Lighting is from a central spine that runs down the center of the gallery.

Call for Art: CoCA ShowWalls

CoCA ShowWalls is an opportunity for CoCA Member Artists to present their work in a solo show at one of our partner venues. Visit CoCA ShowWalls for more information about the program.

We encourage submitting members to visit the spaces and consider the mission and objectives of each space before submitting. We will be working with the venue owners and managers to find a good fit for their space.

We will work with you to prepare your show, creating a bio/statement board to mount in the venue, provide title cards for your artwork, and handle any sales that might occur during the course of the show.

Gary Manuel Salon, 528 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
The exhibition area is primarily at the back of the salon, at the portal leading to the sinks and hair washing stations, and within those spaces, as well as in the corridors connecting them and those outside the bathrooms. There are a few other locations nearby, including the potential of hanging at the rear of the open stair. One large wall under the monitor in the store front, visible from the street, is also included. It takes around 25-30 pieces to mount a show here, depending on size, of course. The ambiance is upscale, cheerful, and well lit!

Collins Pub, 528 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Art is displayed throughout the venue, above the wainscoting next to the banquettes. As with GMS, somewhere around 25-30 pieces will be needed to mount a complete show here. The ambiance is artsy, as Collins is well know for catering to the artist and patron crowd that frequents Pioneer Square. It’s a pub, of course, so it’s a bit dark and moody, but don’t let that stop you. Management has expressed excitement about the cutting edge that CoCA brings to its curatorial approach, so give us your most creative and experimental work. Embrace the space, don’t fight it.

Bulldog News, 4208 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Art is displayed on the South wall, in the seating area, across from the magazines. 10-15 pieces, depending on size.

ShowWalls Submissions:

Send your questions and submissions to showwalls@cocaseattle.org. Include your name, email, phone, website or instagram, the venue you prefer, your availability, some examples of your work, and a brief bio and/or statement. We hope to hear from you soon!