APAture 2025

You have questions. We have answers.

If by chance our tome below doesn’t address your questions, please email us at apature@kearnystreet.org, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

Eligibility

What kind of art are you looking for? 

We generally feature the following kinds of work:

• Visual Arts: Painting, photography, sculpture, installation, multimedia, etc.

• Literary Arts: Poetry and Prose

• Film: Animation, documentary, experimental, music video, etc.

• Performing Arts: Music, dance, movement, puppetry, comedy, performance art, DJ’s, etc.

• Art Fair Vendors: Comics, zines, illustration, screen printing, crafts, jewelry, weaving, etc.

What do you mean by “emerging artist”?

We’re looking to feature new artists with fresh points of view. For example, any of the following might describe you:

• You do your art on the side, frequent open mics, and work on collaborative projects. For your efforts, you’re compensated modestly, if at all.

• You’re an art student and just starting to build your portfolio and expand your skill set.

• You take classes, workshops, and other events that help you hone your craft.

• You’re looking for more places and opportunities to showcase your stuff and to meet other artists who could help you make more with what you’ve got!

And while KSW is grateful for our collaborations with established artists, APAture doesn’t focus on artists who can be described as follows:

• You work on your art full-time, make a pretty penny, and show your work frequently both in and outside the Bay Area.

• Your resume is page is long and may include a long list of publishing credentials, getting press in major publications, and/or winning multiple awards (although a few of those accomplishments would be okay!).

• Your reputation in the arts community precedes you!

• We’ve shown your stuff at multiple APAture events in the past, (though if you have established yourself in one discipline (including past featured artists), and consider yourself emerging in a different discipline (i.e. published poet who is starting to establish themselves as a visual artist), then we’re happy to consider you for the festival

What do you mean when you say Asian/Pacific Islander or Asian Pacific American artists?

By that we mean artists whose ancestry is from one or more of the following regions: East Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania. We include multi-ethnic and multi-racial artists with Asian and/or Pacific Islander heritage in our definition. Though we understand terms like API or APA have been a source of contention in our communities and we acknowledge that the Pacific Islander identity is often underrepresented and erased under the API or APA umbrella along with many Southeast Asian, South Asian, and SWANA communities, our usage in this festival is not to presume a singular identity but to center the rich and varied art coming from all the communities in this region who are living in the Bay Area.

Are we still eligible to apply if I’m of Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent but other folks in my group aren’t?

While we value diversity, community building, and collaboration across ethnic and racial lines, the group member of Asian or Pacific Islander descent must have a prominent or at least equal role in the group’s work and presentation.

I’ve applied to APAture before. Can I apply, again?

If you still consider yourself an emerging artist, yes!

Do I have to live and work in the San Francisco Bay Area?

Yes. Only those who live and/or work in the Bay Area are eligible for the festival. In rare cases, we’ll consider artists who maintain strong ties to the area or live just outside of the region.

Why is your target age range 21+?

APAture focuses on adult artists and we sometimes hold events in venues that are not appropriate for youth. We have discussed youth focused programming at APAture, but it is important for us to make sure we do so thoughtfully and responsibly and we have the resources and the support to do so before proceeding.

The Application Process

How do I apply and submit my work?

By heading to our submissions page, filling out the appropriate form, and including your work and submission fee in the process (the application will tell you how!). We prefer online submissions, but if absolutely necessary, you can print out the application and mail it to us, along with your work (please do not send originals, only copies!) and submission fee, to:

• Kearny Street Workshop

• Attn: Jason Bayani, Co- Director

• P.O. Box 14545

• San Francisco, CA 94114

Can I submit more than one application?

Yes, but please note that each unit of art submission will require its own application and submission fee. To read more on what counts as a unit of art, scroll to the Submitted Work section.

When are submissions due?

Midnight, June 8, 2025.

What does each showcase require for participation?

If your application is accepted in:

Art Fair Vendor you will be part of a single day tabling experience. There is no stipend for art fair vendors, as tabling is designed for those who wish to sell their art.
Film you will participate in a short film showcase headlined by our featured artist.
Literary Arts you will participate in a one night reading headlined by our featured artist.
Performing Arts you will participate in a one-night performing arts showcase headlined by featured artists. An additional day for rehearsal may be required.
Visual Arts you will participate in two events: a Visual Arts Opening Reception and Visual Arts Closing Reception. Your artwork will remain on display at Arc Gallery for the duration of the 4-week festival. You will be required to deliver your work on one of two possible delivery days before it is installed and will be required to pick up your work immediately following the Closing Reception. We unfortunately do not have the capacity to store artwork.

What’s a featured artist?

Featured artists are more established artists we spotlight during the festival. These artists are curated by KSW staff and do not go through an application process.

When will I find out whether or not I’ve been accepted?

We’ll get back to you with a decision by July 31st. If accepted, more information will be sent. If not, please consider applying next year! We do get a large number of submissions, so we unfortunately won’t be able to update you on the status of your application until July 31st. Thank you for understanding.

What are my chances of getting accepted into the festival?

We anticipate receiving anywhere between 150 and 200 applications. Of this number, we anticipate on selecting between 40 to 50 applicants.

What if I'm not selected?

If you are not selected to showcase in APAture 2025, we encourage you to keep an eye out for other opportunities from Kearny Street Workshop. We have a robust calendar year of presentations and workshops. We hope you will consider participating as an audience member or volunteer. It's a great way to experience local art and strengthen your application for next year.

Submitted Work

Why do you only accept recent works?

We’re looking to feature both new artists and new work, so we require all submissions to have been created within the past three years.

Does my work need to be relevant to the theme?

Not necessarily. We’re more interested in curating work that we can get excited about. We understand there is a wide range of styles and aesthetics within all of our communities. Our themes are intended to be broad and open to interpretation, so consider the theme as an invitation to explore how your work relates to it.

What do you consider to be a “unit of work” in each discipline?

We define a unit of work as:

• Film: A short film up to 15 minutes in length

• Literary Arts: A piece of writing that can be read within 7 minutes

• Performing Arts: A piece that can be performed within 10 minutes (music sets can include 1-3 songs)

• Visual Arts: A single gallery piece or a small series of related works. For 2-D work, please submit 1-3 pieces no larger than 40” x 60” each. If accepted, 2-D work should be ready to install (framed pieces are required to have hanging hardware attached and ready to hang, while unframed work is required to have hanging hardware included). 3-D work should either be free-standing or able to be installed on a pedestal (or grouping of pedestals), with a maximum dimension of 3’x6’. We accept installations, but we do have limited space. For multimedia installations, you will need to provide your own equipment. The Visual Arts Showcase will be exhibited at Arc Gallery. We prioritize creating an exhibition that showcases more artists with smaller works than fewer artists with larger works. See the Arc Gallery Floorplan for an overview of the space available for a group show. See photos of Arc’s Main Gallery and Project Gallery for a look at existing shows.

• We welcome submissions of multiple showcases, but please note that each showcase will require its own application and submission fee.

Can I make changes to the work I submit?

Please plan on showcasing the work that you submit in your APAture application at the festival. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to curate additional work other than what is in your application. We do accept works in progress. Please use the “description of your work” section to explain what the finish product will look like, and include as much as you are able to submit for the work sample.

How do I get my work back after the festival?

Visual artists whose work is accepted will need to pick up their work on the day of de-install, immediately following the Visual Arts Closing Reception. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to store artwork.

Money Questions

Why do I have to pay a submission fee?

The submission fee is a standard processing fee that helps cover administrative costs. We will happily provide waivers to anybody who requests them. No questions asked.

How do I pay the submission fee?

The application includes instructions and options on how to pay.

Will I be paid if my work is shown?

Features receive an honorarium in return for specific work and other duties we request from them, and there will be a small stipend for all selected showcase artists. For more information about how we select feature artists, scroll to The Application Process and Submitted Work sections of the FAQ.

If my work is shown, will you cover the cost of my transportation to festival events and shipping costs for my work?

No. Artists are responsible for these costs, but we will provide space and certain equipment so that you can present your work during the festival.