Acceptance Rates in Juried Art Publications: What Is Normal?
Many artists do not realize how competitive juried calls can be.
Transparency helps contextualize outcomes.
1. Typical Acceptance Ranges
Across independent art publications and juried platforms:
5–10% acceptance is common in highly competitive calls
10–20% acceptance is common in mid-size publications
Open showcases may accept significantly more
Lower acceptance does not automatically mean higher quality.
It often reflects submission volume.
2. Volume vs Capacity
If 400 artists apply and 20 are selected, the acceptance rate is 5%.
This means 380 artists (many strong) will not be included.
Rejection at that level is statistical, not personal.
3. Why Publications Do Not Always Publish Rates
Many platforms avoid publishing acceptance statistics.
However, understanding competitiveness helps artists set expectations and submit strategically.
4. Strategic Perspective
If you submit to five juried calls with 10% acceptance rates, statistical likelihood suggests:
Rejection is common, even for strong work. Professional artists submit consistently and strategically.
Final Insight
Acceptance rates are a function of:
Submission volume
Issue capacity
Thematic constraints
Editorial direction
They are not definitive measures of artistic value.
