Artists

How it works

Participation is relatively simple:

1) Register Online

2) Select your Volunteer Dates & Times

3) Choose the Location and Space for your Artwork, Installation, Performance, and Other Creative and Experiential endeavors on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is Artomatic?

Artomatic is both a creative arts event, i.e., an open-entry showcase of visual art, music, dance, film, performance, written word, storytelling, fashion and a nonprofit organization with a volunteer Board of Directors. It’s funded in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (an agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts).

Can anyone participate in Artomatic?

Yes, entry to Artomatic is open to everyone.

How can you participate in Artomatic?

Visual artists, performers, bands, filmmakers, etc. can participate in an Artomatic event by registering at www.artomatic.org. Registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Where is the Artomatic event?

One of the many unique features of Artomatic events is that the sites vary because they are donated by local developers and/or real estate firms. Once the site has been determined, the location and dates of the event are announced, and soon thereafter, the registration process begins.

How much does it cost to attend?

Artomatic is a free event open to the public. It is funded by donations and fueled by volunteers.

Who funds Artomatic?

Artomatic is funded by entry participant fees, donations, sponsorships, and grants.

Location & Dates

27 October

Artloween Bash

The Artloween Bash is an arts-centric Halloween party including a Creepy Art Exhibit and costume contest on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 8 PM at the iconic Black Cat in Washington, DC!

Announcements will follow with details about how artists can be considered for the Creepy Art Exhibit and how costume contest participants can enter to compete for cash prizes: first prize $100, second prize $50, and third prize $30. The costume contest winners will be determined by a panel. The contestants will display their talents in a Masquerade Parade.

After the contest, attendees can dance the night away in celebration to music provided by a DJ. An amazing Halloween-themed art piece, exclusively created by artist and Artomatic Board Member Roman Ganzaba, will be the winning raffle prize to benefit Artomatic. Ticket availability will be announced soon via the Black Cat.

Event Details

How to participate as an artist

Artists are free to do what they wish within their designated space — paint the walls, turn out the lights, or simply tack up their artwork. Because Artomatic events are usually held in an office building, the spaces are as unconventional as the art and they may include large lounges, meeting rooms, kitchens and especially challenging spaces such as closets. Guidelines are provided for the event and more information will be provided after registration.

What does "unjuried" mean? It means anyone who can pay a modest fee to cover expenses can exhibit at Artomatic. It means a lower barrier to entry, no overarching theme or goal, and a huge variety of media. Paintings and photography are the most popular, but anything goes: sculpture, fiber art, videos, multimedia installations, collages, wearable art, and the impossible to categorize. Because anything goes, you’ll get to see plenty of experiments and risk-taking.

*Taken from The Art League’s blog on Artomatic 2017. https://www.theartleague.org/blog/2017/04/04/artomatic-2017-600-artists-7-floors-44-days/

Get Involved

Because Artomatic is a non-profit and there is no admission fee for the public to enter our events, we rely on volunteers to serve as staff for our events. Staff members welcome the public, advertise our events, run security and perform a variety of other duties to ensure a successful event.

Participate as an Artists

Get a chance to showcase your art whether you are a visual or performing artist.

Become a volunteer

You don’t need to be an artist to volunteer. We need all the help we can get!

Donate to the cause

Artomatic relies on public support to bring art to various places.

Become a sponsor

Partner with us to bring art to the community and we will showcase your organization in various ways.

Are You Participating?

Artomatic is a nonprofit, volunteer-run 501 (c) 3 organization that coordinates and hosts a large arts festival occurring periodically in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, usually in a commercial location slated for demolition. Artomatic’s mission is to create community, build audience and expand economic development by transforming available space into a playground for artistic expression.