For Artists

You don’t have to go to art school, work in a traditional medium, or starve. We believe everyone who creates has permission to call themselves an artist. 

MADE is your Stage

A platform for expression, experimentation, and unapologetic creation.

If you’ve ever felt ignored by algorithms, burnt out chasing commissions, dying to try something new, or aching to return to your craft, this is your space.

MADE is all about an opportunity to join a conversation, not make another commission piece. Be a part of building the collective experience of local Nashville artists.

We post Open Calls regularly, sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know.

Is this for me?

Yes.

This is for you.

Whether you’re a full-time artist or haven’t made anything in years.

Whether you’re experimenting with a new medium or reclaiming your creative voice.

Whether you’re seeking your first group show or your fiftieth.

This is for the artist inside you — not the one you market

It’s for the painter with a day job. The poet who never shares her drafts. The designer craving purpose. The sculptor who’s never been shown. The burned-out freelancer who wants to remember why they started.

You don’t have to wait for permission.

You’re already invited.

How it Works

  • Our Open Call is a one to two-week window where artists, designers, and creatives of all backgrounds can sign up to receive the prompt. We use an open call to keep opportunities accessible and inclusive, no insider connections, no pay-to-play, allowing both emerging and established voices to be discovered. 

  • Each exhibition begins with a collective prompt designed as a launch pad for ideas, not a rigid assignment. We choose our prompts intentionally, drawing from shared experiences that resonate across creative fields and connect with the general public. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or attendee, the prompt offers a common starting point that sparks exploration, invites multiple interpretations, and fosters meaningful connection between creators and audiences.

  • You’ll have a short, intentional timeframe to create (example: 30 days). The urgency is part of the energy. Submit your piece and artist info. As long as you submit by the deadline, your work is included. No curation.

  • You will prepare an installation plan that outlines the key details of your piece like dimensions, weight, and any special requirements to ensure your piece can be safely and effectively displayed. We’ll make it happen with you day-of. 

  • Opening night starts with you. Before the crowd arrives, we host a private artist preview. This is the moment for you to invite close friends or family, celebrate your work, and connect with other creators in the room. MADE takes this time to say thank you. You made this happen.

    Then comes the show, a ticketed event where the wider community shows up to see what you’ve built. There’s music, food, drinks, and real conversation. People will want to meet you. Ask questions. Hear what moved you to make this piece.

    When possible, we keep the space open the next day with a free public gallery. It’s a quieter way for others to experience and discover your work.

What if I make

“Bad Art”

Then you’re making something real.

Art doesn’t have to be clean, commercial, or clever. It just has to be yours.

There’s power in mess. Meaning in mistakes. 

Self-doubt is creativity's oldest companion. Don't let it count you out of making something meaningful.

Bad art becomes beloved art.