Art Exhibition Policy

Acton Libraries

The Town of Acton Libraries – the Memorial Library and Citizens’ Library – strive to serve the informational, educational, and recreational needs of Acton residents of all ages and backgrounds.  Public libraries serve as pivotal community spaces that foster learning, creativity, and cultural enrichment. The inclusion of art within these environments not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the library but also promotes artistic expression, supports local artists, and encourages community engagement. This art exhibition policy aims to establish guidelines for the selection, display, and management of artwork within the library. By doing so, the library strives to create an inviting and inspiring atmosphere for all visitors.

Application process

If you are interested in exhibiting your artwork at the Acton Memorial Library, send an email to library@actonma.gov.

The art committee notifies artists in January that the library will be accepting submissions that month.

Applications are due March 1. Decisions for the following year are made in March.

To submit an application, pictures of five current works are required, along with medium, size, a CV, and an artist’s statement.

If your art is selected, see Exhibiting your art at Acton Memorial Library for information about installing and showing your exhibit.

Selection criteria

Professional artists with a cohesive body of work may submit their work for consideration. Additionally, the art committee may proactively seek out exhibits from the community.

The Art Committee casts a wide net to select high-quality, interesting artworks. To achieve this goal the committee uses the following criteria:

• Merit of the work (how artists handle their chosen medium), including quality, creativity, originality, and cohesiveness.
• Statement of artistic vision.
• Scale of work must be suitable for display in the intended location.
• Works may not depict obscenities, nudity, or violence.

In order to be selected, an exhibit must be approved by a majority vote of the Art Committee. The library director or their designee may veto a selection.

The decisions of the Art Committee and Library Director are final. There is no appeal process for exhibits that are not chosen; however, artists are welcome to re-submit their application.

Exhibition spaces and display time

Memorial Library

• Meeting Room – Ground floor
• Glass cabinet in solarium

Exhibits are generally solo shows and last for two months. An exception to a solo show may be an artist’s collective or similar group. If selected, the Art Committee will reach out to the artist to determine a time for their show.

Sale of Artwork

Library staff cannot engage in sales or referral for sales. Exhibitors may provide contact information for potential buyers to contact them. Any work that is sold during the exhibition period must remain on exhibit throughout the designated period.

Art Committee Members

The Acton Libraries Art Committee shall be made up of Trustee board members, library staff, and working artists.

Approved by the Board of Trustees of Acton Memorial Library this 25th day of September 2025.