Frequently Asked Questions

POLARIS is a digital-first contemporary art gallery focused on increasing the visibility and collection of exceptional emerging and mid-career artists. Through exhibitions, open calls, collecting, editorial projects, and a permanent digital archive, POLARIS creates space for distinctive artistic practices and new perspectives.

POLARIS is based in New York and operates digitally. The website and exhibitions can be viewed from anywhere, while POLARIS currently works with artists based in the United States and facilitates artwork sales and delivery within the United States only.

POLARIS is a digital-first gallery and does not currently operate a permanent public exhibition space. Exhibitions, artist presentations, open calls, and available works are presented through www.polaris.gallery. Our long-term goal is to open a permanent brick-and-mortar gallery.

To stay up-to-date on the latest happenings please follow us on Instagram at polaris.is.forever. You can also join the POLARIS mailing list through the newsletter form on the website. After signing up, you will be asked to confirm your email address before your subscription is complete.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, currently based in the United States, and able to provide a valid U.S. mailing address. U.S. citizenship is not required.

Submissions open December 1, 2026 and close December 31, 2026. The application form is available only during the submission period.

The application fee for the 2027 Inaugural Online Exhibition / 001 is $10 USD.

An invitation code is a single-use code POLARIS sends to an artist it has invited to apply. Entered with the same email address the invitation was sent to, it waives the application fee.

An invitation or fee waiver does not guarantee selection.

All application fees are non-refundable once a submission has been completed. The fee covers the administrative costs associated with processing and reviewing submissions and does not guarantee selection.

If POLARIS cancels an Open Call before applications are reviewed, affected applicants will receive a full refund of the application fee. Duplicate charges or confirmed payment errors will also be refunded.

Applicants who withdraw their submission, submit ineligible work, miss required materials, or are not selected are not eligible for a refund.

The 2027 Inaugural Open Call accepts image, audio, and video submissions.

Images may be submitted as JPEG, PNG, or WEBP files up to 25 MB.

Audio works must be submitted as MP3 files up to 25 MB and include a cover image and duration.

Video works are submitted using a private viewing link and must include a cover image and duration. A password may be provided when required.

You may submit up to five works in one application.

No. Physical dimensions may be marked Not Applicable for audio and video works. Image-based or physical works should include the applicable dimensions requested in the application.

Applicants must provide a CV in PDF format and an online portfolio link. A portfolio PDF may also be included but is optional.

Not for the current Open Call. POLARIS currently works with artists based in the United States. The website and exhibitions remain viewable internationally.

No. Citizenship is not a requirement. For the current Open Call, artists must be 18 or older, currently based in the United States, and provide a valid U.S. mailing address.

No. The application fee covers the administrative costs of processing and reviewing submissions and does not guarantee selection for an exhibition.

You will receive an application reference and a receipt confirming that your submission was received. A submission receipt does not indicate selection or acceptance. Keep your application reference for your records.

No. Applications cannot be edited after they have been submitted. Please review your application carefully before completing your submission.

If you discover a significant error after submitting, contact hello@polaris.gallery with your application reference. POLARIS can review the request, but changes are not guaranteed.

Selected artists will be contacted directly by POLARIS using the email address provided in their application. Please make sure your contact information is accurate and monitor your inbox, including spam, after the submission period closes.

No. Application materials are used for the submission and review process. Private application information and supporting materials are not automatically published as artist or artwork content.

The 2027 Inaugural Online Exhibition / 001 is selected by Carrie Lipscomb, founder and gallery owner of POLARIS.

Founding Artist is a permanent designation recognizing artists formally accepted through the inaugural POLARIS Open Call and linked to the Founding Artists 2027 exhibition.

No. Applying, paying an application fee, receiving a fee waiver or invitation, or advancing in the review process does not confer Founding Artist status. The designation is awarded only after formal acceptance through the inaugural Open Call and completion of the required artist relationship with POLARIS.

Yes. Once awarded, the POLARIS Founding Artist designation remains part of the artist's relationship and historical record with the gallery.

Artists formally accepted as Founding Artists are presented as part of POLARIS's inaugural exhibition and receive permanent Founding Artist recognition within the gallery's historical record. Works selected for exhibition are prepared with the artist for presentation through POLARIS.

For artwork sold through the Founding Artists 2027 exhibition, POLARIS receives a 20% commission and the artist receives 80% of the artwork sale price, subject to the applicable artist agreement and sale terms.

Not necessarily. Commission is determined by the exhibition or sale through which the artwork is offered. The Founding Artists 2027 exhibition uses a 20% POLARIS / 80% Artist commission structure. Standard POLARIS exhibitions use a 30% POLARIS / 70% Artist structure unless another rate is expressly agreed.

Available works may be purchased directly through POLARIS. Select ACQUIRE on an eligible artwork to begin the purchase process. Shipping details and the final order total are presented or confirmed before payment.

Works are generally shipped directly by the artist in coordination with POLARIS. Shipping details and costs are established before payment.

No. Some works may be available for acquisition while others may be presented as Not for Sale. Availability is identified with the individual work where applicable.

Prices are displayed for works available for direct purchase through POLARIS. Some works may require an enquiry or shipping quote before a final purchase price can be confirmed.

No. POLARIS currently facilitates artwork sales and delivery within the United States only.

Artwork prices and transactions facilitated by POLARIS are in U.S. dollars.

Yes. All artwork sales are final. Please review artwork details, dimensions, framing, and shipping information carefully before purchasing. If your artwork arrives damaged, contact POLARIS within 48 hours of delivery with photographs of the artwork and packaging.

Contact POLARIS within 48 hours of delivery and provide photographs of the artwork and its packaging so the claim can be reviewed.

POLARIS exhibitions are presented online at polaris.gallery. Exhibition pages bring together participating artists, selected works, curatorial context, and related information where applicable.

POLARIS maintains a digital archive of its exhibitions so past exhibitions and their historical context can remain part of the gallery's record.

Yes. POLARIS can present image, audio, and video-based work. Public presentation of time-based media is prepared intentionally for exhibition and is separate from private materials supplied during the application process.

POLARIS manages the collector transaction for artworks sold through the gallery. Collectors pay POLARIS, and POLARIS coordinates fulfillment with the artist.

Artists are responsible for professionally packing and shipping their work in coordination with POLARIS. Shipping arrangements are established before the artwork is sent.

Artist proceeds are calculated according to the applicable exhibition or sale commission and are paid through POLARIS according to the applicable Artist Agreement and sale terms.

Use the acquisition or enquiry option associated with the artwork where available, or contact POLARIS at hello@polaris.gallery.