EXPO CHICAGO Applications
Applications are now open for the 2025 edition of EXPO CHICAGO (April 24–27), the International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art. Returning to historic Navy Pier for its 12th edition, EXPO CHICAGO hosts leading international exhibitors presented alongside one of the highest quality platforms for global contemporary art and culture. Below you will find information on exhibitor sections and application instructions.
The deadline to apply is Friday, September 30th.
To apply please access your registered account on the Frieze portal. If you need to set up an account, or are not seeing EXPO CHICAGO 2025 under the list of fairs when you sign in, please contact the exhibitor relations team at exhibitor@expochicago.com to further assist you.
Sections
EXPO CHICAGO hosts international contemporary and modern art galleries, curated selections of solo and two-artist presentations, and projects by select regional, national, and international non-profit institutions, museums, and organizations. Applications are open for the five sections outlined below. To apply to more than one section, once an application has been started you will be able to click the check box of whichever section(s) you're applying to.
GALLERIES
The Galleries Section at EXPO CHICAGO is open to established international contemporary and modern art galleries. The number of participating galleries is limited, and acceptance is granted exclusively by the 2025 Selection Committee.
EXPOSURE
The EXPOSURE section, installed on the main floor of the exposition, features a curated selection of solo and two-artist presentations, represented by galleries ten years and younger. Decisions on acceptance are made exclusively by the EXPOSURE curator with the advisement of the EXPO CHICAGO Selection Committee; the number of participating galleries is limited.
PROFILE
PROFILE presents solo booths and focused projects by established international galleries. Showcasing ambitious installations and tightly focused thematic exhibitions, this section features major projects by a single artist or collective, providing a curatorial platform for solo presentations. Galleries may apply for a booth exclusively in PROFILE or as a compliment to their Galleries Section presentation.
EDITIONS + BOOKS
Editions + Books is open to select organizations presenting a cross-section of established and emerging artists. From limited editions to publications, the Editions + Books section offer a diverse array of print media and object-based practices that span across photography, sculpture, monographs, and other multiples.
SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS
The Special Exhibitions program features curatorial projects by select regional, national, and international non-profit institutions, museums, and organizations. Complementing the surrounding elements of the fair, this program illustrates and preserves the important relationship between contemporary and modern art and non-profit organizations.
Application Checklist and Instructions
Application Checklist
The online application system will guide you through the following pages:
- Gallery/Organization Details
- Section Application Form
- Application Fee Payment
- Terms & Conditions
- Application Submission
Materials and Information to Include:
- Contact Information
- Brief Gallery History
- Current Artist List
- List of Other Fairs Participated in
- A Written Proposal for your Exhibition
- 5 to 10 high-resolution JPGS of artwork you intend to present.
- Supporting Materials*
* At the request of the Selection Committee, applicants that have not participated in EXPO CHICAGO previously are asked to provide booth installation shots from past fairs. Additionally, you are encouraged to complete a proposed booth plan.
Blank Booth Diagrams are available here. Please note that these are only for planning purposes and may not be final dimensions or configurations of assigned booth.
Applications will not be considered complete without all of the above materials.
Application Instructions
- To begin an application, if you already have a registered Frieze portal account, login at portal.frieze.com with your existing credentials.
- If it is the gallery/organization's first time applying, please email exhibitor@expochicago.com to be set up with an account.
- Once started, you may save your application and logout. You may return to complete your application at any time by logging back into the application portal.
- Applicants may select to apply to more than one exhibitor section.
- Please submit 5 to 10 high quality images of artwork you intend to present. (Only jpgs less than 2.5 MB each will be accepted.) Applicants are encouraged to include booth installation shots from past fairs as part of your image upload. Submitted artwork images are subject for use in press and promotional materials upon acceptance.
- Optional Supplemental Materials for Selection Committee review including artist biographies, additional gallery information, and/or proposed booth plan, can be uploaded as a single pdf or can be emailed to exhibitor@expochicago.com.
- A non-refundable application fee is required. Applicants applying to more than one section will pay the combined sum. Payment is accepted by credit card only and will be collected as part of the online application form.
For questions about the application, please contact EXPO CHICAGO, exhibitor@expochicago.com or by phone, 312.867.9220.