Coal Creek Gallery Artists

Exhibit your artwork

Applications to show artwork in the Coal Creek Gallery for 2027 open on November 2 and close on December 14

Our mission

The Coal Creek Gallery at the Louisville Public Library is a community gathering space located in the heart of downtown Louisville. In this space, we celebrate the creativity and talent of local artists while fostering a lifelong connection to, and appreciation of, the arts in our community.

We do this by inviting Front Range artists working in diverse mediums to host engaging, accessible, and enriching exhibits in our gallery. Learn more about how you can get involved below!

How to participate

The Coal Creek Gallery accepts artist applications each Fall. From this applicant pool, the Arts & Events division identifies a diverse selection of artists to host exhibits ranging 1-2 months long during the year to come.

Our 2027 application will be open Nov 2–Dec 14. Artists will be notified about the outcome of their application by January 15.

Artists not accepted in this round will be considered for other opportunities with the City of Louisville’s Arts & Culture division and are encouraged to apply again the following year.

Who can Exhibit

The Coal Creek Gallery is an inclusive community space that seeks to represent the wide spectrum of artistic expression found across the Front Range. We prioritize diversity in artists, themes, and mediums when making the final artist selection for the coming year.

We encourage the following individuals and entities to apply:

Independant artists
Artist duos, trios, collectives

Curators

Cultural/arts non-profits and organizations

Schools and educational organizations

Priority will be given to local artists and organizations.

While artists may apply to fill only part of the gallery, preference may be given to artists, groups, or organizations that can fill the entire gallery space for their designated month.

The Coal Creek Gallery is a public space frequented by residents of all ages. For that reason, we restrict the imagery that can be featured in our monthly exhibits. The Gallery is not able to display imagery with graphic nudity, violence, or hate speech.

If you have questions about the criteria above, or are unsure whether your application would be considered, please contact the City's Arts & Culture team.

Exhibit Guidelines

If you are accepted as a Coal Creek Gallery Artist, we will reach out to confirm your assigned exhibit month and your installation and deinstallation dates.

Selected artists will have the opportunity to set up a walkthrough of the gallery space with staff. Artists can learn more about the space in advance on the Coal Creek Gallery facility page.

Installation and deinstallation:

Artists are responsible for setting up, arranging, and taking down their own exhibits. City and Library staff cannot help with these processes.

Artists must use the Library’s hanging system. Artists cannot use any other hooks, nails, adhesives, or fasteners on the Library’s walls. Artists use the Library’s hanging system at their own risk.

Artists may only install and deinstall artwork during Library open hours.

Artwork sold during the exhibit period cannot be removed before the exhibit concludes.

The Library cannot store Artist property that is not installed.

Very fragile artwork may be too delicate to display in a public library.

Promotion and events

The Arts & Culture team will promote Coal Creek Gallery exhibits and artists in the division’s monthly newsletter (~5,000 subscribers).

Coal Creek Gallery exhibits will also be promoted in City newsletters and social media when resources allow.

Artists will have the opportunity to plan and organize opening receptions, live demos, meet the artist, or other events during Library open hours throughout their exhibit period. The Arts & Culture team will not organize or staff these events but can market artist-organized events with enough lead time.

Art sales

Artists are welcome to have their work in their exhibit up for sale at prices set by the artist, provided that:

Sold work stays on display until the exhibit period ends

Artist handles sale with buyer directly. City, Library, and Arts & Culture staff will not be involved with art sales in any capacity

Display cards

We encourage artists to use display cards for each piece listing:

Name of the work

Artist’s name

Medium

Price, if the work is for sale

Liability

Artists display their artwork at their own risk. Artists are responsible for their own artwork and other items while they are at the Library. The Library and the City of Louisville (the "City") are not responsible, and are expressly relieved from any liability (legal responsibility), for any loss, theft, or damage to your artwork or property. We encourage artists to insure every work you display.

The Library and the City are also not responsible, and are expressly relieved from any liability, for any injury, loss, or damage to any person or property in or around the building that happens during, or because of, Artist’s use of the space or your artwork.

Questions?

Contact the City's Arts & Culture team about the gallery or the application process.