Trusted by commissioning bodies and cultural organisations worldwide:
Proposals with 3D models, site plans, and video in one place
Commission proposals aren‘t tidy PDFs. They include architectural drawings, maquette renders, embedded 3D models, video walkthroughs, and detailed budgets. Zealous handles all of it. Artists upload images, video up to 4GB and documents with no storage limits (3D object via Sketchfab). Lossless image compression means your panel sees every detail of a technical drawing exactly as submitted.
Multi-stage selection from EOI to interview
Most commissions don‘t pick an artist in one round.
Zealous supports the full flow: expression of interest, full proposal, then interview or presentation. Each round can have different panel members, different criteria, and different score ranges. Move artists forward or stop them at any stage.
Read more on how to structure your selection rounds for commissioning programmes.
Zealous offers a convenient and fair process for managing the applications, but also a way to expose the artists to a range of organisations via judging.
Akua Obeng-Frimpong, Arts Development Officer
Cambridge City Council
Anonymous first-round review to reduce bias
When public funding is involved, fairness isn‘t optional. It‘s a requirement you‘ll need to evidence.
Turn on anonymous mode and personal details are hidden automatically from the selection panel. Proposals are evaluated on artistic merit, site response, and feasibility alone. Names and backgrounds only become visible in later rounds when you choose.
For a broader look at programme planning, see our lifecycle planning guide.
I found Zealous exceptionally intuitive, responsive and stable. Food for thought for other projects and conferences.
Sukhy Johal MBE, Chair, Midlands Area
Arts Council
Built for panels with arts professionals and community voices
Your selection panel might include a curator, an engineer, a councillor, and a community representative. They don‘t all need the same briefing, and they won‘t all be comfortable with complex software. Zealous works on any device, with a clear interface that doesn‘t require training.
Assign panel members by round or expertise. Track who‘s completed their evaluations in real time and send automated reminders to anyone falling behind. Judges can skip entries where they have a conflict, and you can unassign reviewers from specific applications.
Running multiple programmes at once? Learn about automating without losing the human touch.
Complete record of scores for publicly funded work
When a council, trust, or developer asks why you selected a particular artist, you need more than a panel member‘s memory. Zealous records every score, comment, and decision across every round. Export full evaluation data for board reports, FOI requests, or Section 106 compliance documentation.
When public money funds the commission, the selection process has to survive scrutiny. Anonymous first-round review removes identifying details so proposals are assessed on merit. Full scoring records give you a documented trail that satisfies trustees, auditors, and FOI officers alike.
Data is stored securely with full access controls. See our security overview for details.
We were able to deal efficiently with a much higher number of submissions than anticipated. We will use Zealous again and would certainly recommend them to other organisations.
Jane Hackett, Project Director
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
Evaluation modes built for how commissioning panels actually work
Choose how your selection panel reviews proposals at each stage of your programme.
Zealous saved us plenty of time, which was a godsend as we were short-staffed due to the pandemic.
Anna Carolina Costa, Project Manager
Embassy of Brazil
Focus on the art
You got into commissioning because you care about public art, not because you enjoy wrestling with spreadsheets and chasing panel members. Here‘s how Zealous handles the admin so you can focus on the work.
Why commissioning bodies move their selection process to Zealous
Run your next open call on Zealous
Join 500+ organisations already managing their programmes with less admin and more confidence.
- Cancel anytime. Monthly billing, no lock-ins, no guilt trips.
- 20 free proposals to test everything before committing.
- Launch in under an hour with ready-made commissioning templates.
Your commissioning programme, start to finish
Before launch
- Set up your branded programme page with brief and site details
- Configure submission form fields for proposals, budgets, and CVs
- Define evaluation criteria and score ranges for each round
- Invite selection panel members and assign them to rounds
- Create bespoke trackable links for different outreach channels
Entries open
- Artists submit proposals with images, 3D models, video, and documents
- Monitor submissions in real time from your dashboard
- Edit form fields or extend deadlines while the call is open
- Issue late-comer links for artists who need extra time
Judging rounds
- Screen EOIs with quick selection to build an initial shortlist
- Run anonymous first-round review to reduce bias
- Move shortlisted artists to full proposal evaluation with criteria scoring
- Track panel progress and send automated reminders
- Download PDF evaluation packs for offline panel review
Results and legacy
- Announce results in stages, controlling what‘s published and when
- Export full evaluation data for board reports and compliance
- Generate a public gallery of selected commissions from proposal content
- Archive the programme as a historical record for future editions
- Clone the programme to launch next year‘s open call in minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is art commissions software and do we need it?
Art commissions software manages the full open call process: receiving proposals, coordinating selection panels, scoring against criteria, and documenting decisions. If you‘re currently handling this through email, shared drives, and spreadsheets, dedicated software removes the manual work and gives you a defensible audit trail. Particularly important when public funding is involved.
Can artists submit 3D models and architectural drawings?
Yes. Artists can embed Sketchfab alongside images, video up to 4GB, audio, and documents. Images use lossless compression, so technical drawings and detailed visuals display at the quality they were uploaded. There are no storage limits on file uploads per proposal.
How does the multi-stage selection process work?
You configure as many rounds as you need. A typical commissioning programme runs EOI screening, full proposal evaluation, then interview or presentation. Each round can have different panel members, different criteria, and different score ranges. Artists only move forward when you advance them. Our guide to structuring selection rounds covers this in more detail.
Can we run anonymous review for the first round?
Yes. Turn on anonymous mode and all personal details are hidden from the selection panel automatically. Proposals are evaluated on the work alone. You control when names and backgrounds become visible in later rounds.
How do we include community input alongside expert evaluation?
You can open a community consultation stage where the public views shortlisted proposals and registers preferences. Public results and panel scores are displayed separately, so community voice informs the decision without overriding expert evaluation. This is useful for commissions in public spaces where local engagement matters.
Can our selection panel include non-arts professionals?
Absolutely. The interface is straightforward and works on any device. Panel members don‘t need training. They log in, see their assigned proposals, and score against clearly defined criteria. Auto-resume means they can stop and pick up exactly where they left off.
How do we justify our selection to funders or the public?
Every score, comment, and decision is recorded across every round. Export full evaluation data for board reports, FOI requests, or Section 106 documentation. Criteria-based scoring with configurable ranges means you can show exactly how each proposal was assessed. Our guide to managing submissions covers reporting in more depth.
What does pricing look like for commissioning programmes?
Plans are based on submission volume, not the number of programmes. You can run unlimited programmes on one subscription. Monthly billing with no lock-ins, or save 33% with annual billing (from April 1 2026). If your open call includes an application fee, that‘s handled through Stripe. See pricing for full details.
How quickly can we launch an open call?
Most commissioning bodies launch within a day. Sign up takes two minutes. Use a template or build your own programme page, configure your form fields and criteria, and you‘re live. No setup costs, no onboarding fees, and your first 20 proposals are free for testing.
How quickly can we get help if something goes wrong?
Unlimited support is included on all plans at no extra cost. Live chat is available during UK business hours. We also offer a free pre-launch review of your programme before it goes live, so you can catch any issues before artists start submitting.
