LADW 2026 Open Call Application
Welcome!
LA Design Weekend 2026 will take place October 2-4. Please read overview below before selecting a ticket type
LADW 2025 saw incredible growth, with 120+ hosts, programming across 15+ neighborhoods, and more than 12,000 attendees exploring Los Angeles through design. The momentum from this past year showed us just how much creativity and community energy exists across the city - and how much people want to engage with it.
Building on that energy, we’re excited to open applications for LADW 2026. Here’s what you need to know:
WHO THIS APPLICATION IS FOR
This application is for designers and artists submitting an object or artwork for consideration in LADW 2026 group exhibitions.
Applicants do not need to provide a venue. Selected works will be included in curated group shows taking place during LA Design Weekend.
We will launch applications for guest curators soon, more to come!
THE MAGIC OF LA DESIGN WEEKEND OPEN CALL
The Open Call is one of the most important parts of LA Design Weekend.
Each year, we invite anyone to apply — emerging designers, established studios, and people we haven’t met yet. We then bring in guest curators to review submissions and shape a concept around the selected works.
What begins as an open submission becomes a tightly curated exhibition. From there, we work with our local community to take over a gallery space and bring it to life.
Year after year, the Open Call exhibitions are the most visited, most photographed, most shared, and most featured in press.
The Open Call keeps LADW permeable. It creates access, brings new voices into the fold, and consistently produces work and conversations that wouldn’t happen otherwise.
OPEN CALL TIMELINE
Applications Open: February 10, 2026
Applications Close: May 31, 2026
Notifications Sent: June 15, 2026
ELIGIBILITY + CRITERIA
Focus on objects and fine art
(No architectural models or student work. Student work will have other opportunities to show, stay tuned.)Open to global submissions
Inclusion is prioritized, but participation is not guaranteed
If your work is not yet complete, sketches or renders are accepted
You may submit multiple works
Each work requires its own submission and fee
Inclusion of multiple works is not guaranteed
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
A $25 application fee per object is required
Participants are responsible for all shipping, installation, and deinstallation costs. If accepted participants are unable to be present in person, they must arrange their own support. LA Design Weekend is not responsible for the handling or management of submitted works.
Participants must insure their own work for the full duration of the exhibition, including:
Transit
Installation
Exhibition period
Deinstallation
Fragile works must be clearly identified in the application
TICKETING + FEES
Please select the appropriate ticket based on how many works you are submitting:
$25 – 1 submission
$50 – 2 submissions
$75 – 3 submissions
…continuing in $25 increments up to 10 submissions
Submission fees are non-refundable once applications are reviewed.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Applicants will be asked to provide the following information for each submitted work:
Artist / Brand Name
Where you are based
Artwork / Object Name
Dimensions
Materials
Fragile (Yes / No)
If submitting multiple works:
Is it important that the works are shown together?
Or can they be shown separately across multiple group shows?
IMPORTANT NOTES
Submission does not guarantee inclusion
Selected participants will receive detailed onboarding, installation timelines, and exhibition details following acceptance
All exhibitions take place as part of LA Design Weekend, October 2–4, 2026
We look forward to reviewing your application!