Visual Arts

Artist Studios in Downtown Berkeley: Create, Show and Sell With 0% Commission

Move your art out of the spare room and onto Shattuck Avenue.

Zero Empty Spaces Berkeley is a storefront studio, gallery and shop in the heart of Downtown Berkeley at 2036 Shattuck Avenue, one block from Downtown Berkeley BART. Make your work here, show it here and sell it here, with the public walking past your window every day.

We turn empty storefronts into affordable homes for working artists. More than 900 artists have built their practice in our spaces nationwide. Berkeley is our first California location, and we are building the founding community now.

Keep Every Dollar You Earn

  • 0% commission. Sell a piece and the full sale is yours. Always.
  • Public gallery hours and open studio events bring buyers to your door
  • Teach paid classes and workshops in our shared space for extra income

One Simple Monthly Price

  • Private studios from 96 to 255 sq ft, starting at $550 a month, all-inclusive
  • Utilities and Wi-Fi included. No CAM, no NNN, no hidden fees
  • Month-to-month. No long-term lease to lock you in
  • Move-in ready. Bring your tools and start creating

A Creative Community Behind You

  • Work alongside artists across many disciplines, with shared gallery and workshop areas for collaboration, critiques and group shows
  • Featured artist exhibitions and marketing that promotes your work
  • Your story on the Zero Empty Spaces Podcast
  • Career development, business resources and introductions to collectors, local partners and the City of Berkeley

Be Part of What Happens Next

Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting: Saturday, November 7, 5 to 8 PM. Join us as Downtown Berkeley celebrates its newest creative space. Free RSVP: https://zes-berkeley-grandopening.eventbrite.com

East Bay Open Studios this December. ZES Berkeley serves as a community hub during one of the region’s biggest art weekends, so our artists open their doors to holiday shoppers and collectors from across the Bay.

Who Should Apply

Painters, mixed media and assemblage artists, sculptors, illustrators, printmakers, photographers, ceramicists, textile and fashion designers, jewelry makers and craftspeople with an active practice. Emerging and established artists are welcome.

Studios are limited. Claim your space in Berkeley’s newest artist community.

Apply or book a tour: https://www.zeartistspaces.com/rentspace
Call or text: 844-427-8788
Take a look inside: https://youtube.com/shorts/dYxxms2kI3I
Hear from our artists: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQfC03WiI506qZISV2GlS4Uy0qBP0eTA6

16th Annual “Open” Online Art Competition

Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery announces the 16th Annual “Open” (No Theme) Online Art Competition.   

There is no theme for this open art competition so any subject matter and any media are acceptable for consideration. Both 2D & 3D artists (including photography & digital arts) are invited to submit their best representational and/or abstract art. 

Best in Show winner will receive a cash prize. Winners and finalists receive social and art media promotion, a virtual award exhibition, and award certificates.

Entry Fees: $18.00 for 1 to 2 entries / $26.00 for 3 to 5 entries. Early entry and art student discounts.

Deadline to enter is November 27, 2026.

For further information and to apply online: https://lightspacetime.art/16th-annual-open-online-art-competition-2026/  

About Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery

Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery conducts monthly themed online art competitions and art exhibitions for new and emerging artists on a worldwide basis.  It is the gallery’s intention to help today’s artists to successfully market their art to a worldwide audience. 

IAF – International Art Frontier

Art that crosses frontiers
International Art Frontier is an international platform for visual artists, enabling seamless exhibition applications and cross-border creative connections. Hosted by Moho Gallery, the Venice — Winter 2027 Edition invites artists of all nationalities to submit their work with no theme restriction. The curatorial team will select 12 finalists for a collective exhibition in Venice, 2027. Four winners will also receive a solo show and a €1,000 prize.

REGULATIONS & TIMELINE

Theme
Free — no theme restriction. Artists are invited to submit work in any visual medium: painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation, digital art, mixed media.

Requirements & Application
Open to artists of all nationalities. Each application may include 1 to 10 works. For each work: upload 1 image (JPG/PNG, max 30MB) or provide a YouTube link for video works. Required data per work: title, medium, year, and description.

Selection & Prizes
The curatorial team of Moho Gallery reviews all submissions and selects 12 finalists for a collective exhibition in Venice, 2027. From the finalists, 4 winners are chosen to receive a solo show and a €1,000 cash prize each.

Exhibition & Logistics
Exhibitions at Moho Gallery’s two venues in Venice (Cannaregio 883 and 1145), January–March 2027. Each exhibition lasts 15 days. The program includes a collective show of all 12 finalists and 4 solo exhibitions for the winning artists. Moho Gallery covers all shipping costs (round-trip) and provides accommodation in Venice for the opening.

Rights
Artists retain full ownership and copyright over their works. By applying, artists grant International Art Frontier a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce images of submitted works for promotional, editorial, and archival purposes.

Apply at internationalartfrontier.com

Press enquiries: support@internationalartfrontier.com

Monoline Design Awards 2027 Open Call for Entries

Monoline Design Awards is an international design award celebrating excellence in Graphic Design, Illustration, Product Design, and Experimental Design. Our 2027 open call invites designers worldwide to submit their work for a chance to be exhibited at Milan Design Week 2027 at Superstudio, April 12 to 18, 2027.

Entry fees: Early Bird $40 through November 25, 2026; Regular $60 through December 15, 2026; Late $80 through December 31, 2026. Judging takes place January 1 to 20, 2027, and winners will be announced on January 20, 2027.

Sales Associate

The MOCA Store Sales Associate provides customer service, completes sales transactions, maintains the physical appearances of stores, and completes opening and closing procedures.  The Sales staff follows daily performance guidelines provided by management and are expected to work collegially as part of the Retail Operations Department.  

This is a part-time position requiring you to work onsite. Weekend work will be required.

Essential Functions:

  • Work closely with the Sales Manager, Retail Coordinator, Webstore and Shipping Coordinator, and fellow Sales Associates.  
  • Use your creative eye to maintain unique shop displays.  
  • Interact positively with museum staff, donors, and museum visitors. 
  • Meet and greet customers.  
  • Guide and assist customers with sales of our unique selection of products and publications.  
  • Grow knowledge of art books and products.  
  • Operate Point of Sale cash registers with accuracy and process special orders.  
  • Complete clear and accurate end of day sales reports.  
  • Maintain communication with supervisors and colleagues. 
  • Assist in all aspects of keeping the MOCA Store looking smart, sophisticated, interesting and well organized.  
  • Promote sales of Museum Memberships through the Store and process appropriate paperwork.  Interact with the public and answer or direct questions regarding the Museum. 
  • Have a neat and professional appearance according to MOCA Store dress code.  

Requirements:

  • Effective customer service-oriented interpersonal skills.  
  • Promptness and reliability are essential.  
  • Accuracy in cash handling.
  • Prior retail experience is preferred.  
  • Availability to work Saturdays or Sundays, plus two additional weekdays with the opportunity to work additional hours.  
  • Ability to work independently.  
  • Knowledge of, or interest in contemporary art. 

Hourly Rate:  $18.97 per hour

This position is covered by MOCA/AFSCME Collective Bargaining Unit Agreement: Yes

Physical Demands:

While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent must be able to do the following: stand for extended periods; bend and reach for filing and other job-related functions; climb up and down stairs; bend, stoop, and lift to move and retrieve materials; pull, push, and  lift; reach both above and below shoulder height. Specific visual abilities include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to visually inspect work. Manual dexterity to operate computer and other office equipment required. Heavy usage of computers and phones required.  

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made.  

The Museum of Contemporary Art is an equal opportunity employer. We will extend equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local laws. Our policy reflects and affirms the Museum of Contemporary Art’s commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all discriminatory practices.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

Death as Culture: Virtual Artist Residency

Kolaj Institute invites applications for Death as Culture: Virtual Artist Residency, a four-week online program taking place 29 November-20 December 2026. Open to any artist over the age of 21 from anywhere in the world, the residency is intended for self-motivated artists at any career stage and will be of particular interest to those working in, or interested in exploring, social and political collage.

Participants will research expressions of death as culture in their own communities, including folklore, cemeteries, traditions, and social organizations. Together, artists will consider the origins of death, the afterlife, grief, remembrance, and the spaces between life and death inhabited by ghosts and spirits.

Through interactive sessions, collections research, and collaborative collage making, artists will present their work, receive supportive critical and curatorial feedback, and explore how research and material choices shape their practice. Discussions will also address appropriation, copyright, and fair use.

Artwork made during and after the residency will be considered for a January 2027 exhibition at Kolaj Institute Gallery in New Orleans and an October 2027 exhibition at the New Orleans Healing Center in conjunction with Fet Gede Celebrations. Artwork and writing will also be considered for Folklore Collage Society, a printed journal.

Sessions take place Sunday, 29 November, 1-3PM EST; Thursday, 3 December, 7-9PM EST; Sunday, 13 December, 1-3PM EST; and Sunday, 20 December, 1-3PM EST. Artists are expected to attend all sessions and complete assignments.

The cost is $750 USD per artist. A limited number of grants are available for those in need. The early application deadline is Sunday, 25 October 2026; the final deadline is Sunday, 8 November 2026.

Applicants submit contact information, an artist bio, a statement of artist practice, 5-7 artwork images, a statement of expectations, and responses about their work and needs. Visit the call page to review the complete residency information and access the application.

Learn more and apply:
https://kolajmagazine.com/content/content/calls-for-artists/call-to-artists-death-as-culture-virtual-artist-residency/

Get the latest news by signing up for our newsletter!

Sign Up

Grants

Collective

Learning Center

Programs

About

News

Support The Arts

Subscribe to the California ArtBeat weekly newsletter

Skip to content