Trusted by art fairs and exhibition organisers worldwide:
Portfolios displayed at the quality artists intended
Curatorial decisions hinge on seeing the work properly. Zealous uses lossless image compression, so every uploaded file stays at full resolution. Your selection committee sees exactly what the artist submitted, not a downscaled preview. Video files up to 4GB mean installation and moving-image work plays as it should.
Selection committees that actually finish on time
Your committee members are busy curators and gallerists reviewing between openings.
Zealous sends automated reminders, tracks each reviewer‘s progress in real time, and works on any device. Committee members pick up where they left off, whether on a laptop at the gallery or a phone on the train.
Learn more about how to structure your selection process across multiple rounds and reviewers.
I thought the platform was excellent and I really liked the judging by scale of 7 as it gave a far better indication than a simple yes or no.
Jack Bullen, Director
Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair
Application fees collected without the accounting headache
Most fairs charge application fees. Chasing bank transfers or reconciling PayPal receipts against a spreadsheet is nobody‘s idea of a good time.
Stripe integration means fees go directly to your account. Set early-bird pricing, offer promo codes for returning galleries, and track revenue on a real-time dashboard. Free applications incur no commission.
Check our pricing page for details on plans, commission rates, and volume options.
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
Clone your fair and run multiple editions a year
One edition becomes two. A satellite fair launches in a new city. Suddenly you‘re managing overlapping application cycles with different deadlines, committees, and criteria. Growth shouldn‘t mean starting from scratch each time.
Clone any programme to create the next edition with all your forms, criteria, and branding intact. Run unlimited programmes on a single subscription. Adjust what‘s different and leave the rest.
For a broader view, read our programme lifecycle planning guide.
Fair, transparent curation that stands up to scrutiny
Artists invest time and money in every application. They deserve a process that‘s consistent. Criteria-based evaluation with configurable score ranges means every application is measured on the same terms. Staged result announcements let you control exactly when and what gets published.
Anonymous mode strips gallery names and artist details from applications during review. Your committee evaluates the work on its own terms. Full scoring records let you demonstrate that every applicant received the same standard of consideration.
Your data is protected throughout. See our security overview for details on how we handle submissions and personal information.
What I appreciate most is how Zealous supports clarity – for entrants, judges, and organisers alike. When systems are clear, people can focus on creativity rather than logistics.
Judy Holm, Founder and Director
The Global Climate Design Awards
Evaluation modes built for curatorial decision-making
Choose how your selection committee reviews applications, or combine methods across rounds.
We’ve had around 5,000 users submit through Zealous and very rarely hear about any problems or complaints.
Matt Freidson, Deputy Director
Creative Future
Focus on the fair
You got into this work to discover artists and build exhibitions, not to wrestle with inboxes and spreadsheets. Here‘s how Zealous handles the operational side so you can focus on curatorial decisions.
Why art fairs move their application process to Zealous
Your next fair, sorted from day one
Join 500+ organisations already running their programmes on Zealous.
- Cancel anytime. Monthly billing, no lock-ins, no guilt trips.
- 20 free applications to test everything before committing.
- Launch in under an hour with ready-made templates for art fairs.
Your art fair programme, start to finish
Before launch
- Set up your branded programme page with fair details and imagery
- Build application forms with fields for portfolios, statements, and booth specs
- Configure application fees, early-bird pricing, and promo codes via Stripe
- Define evaluation criteria and score ranges for each round
- Invite selection committee members and assign application categories
Entries open
- Track submissions and revenue in real time on your dashboard
- Use bespoke trackable links to measure which outreach channels perform
- Send automated confirmation emails with your branding
- Add or edit form fields dynamically without closing the call
Judging rounds
- Run quick selection to screen high volumes before detailed scoring
- Assign committee members by expertise or category for focused review
- Track reviewer progress and send automated reminders to stragglers
- Enable anonymous mode to remove gallery and artist names from view
- Committee members compare work by opening applications in separate tabs
Results and legacy
- Publish results in stages, controlling which rounds are visible and when
- Issue late-comer links for waitlisted artists moving into confirmed slots
- Export exhibitor data for fair logistics and catalogue production
- Generate winner galleries automatically from submitted portfolio content
- Clone the programme for your next edition with all settings intact
Frequently Asked Questions
What is art fair application software?
It‘s a platform that handles the entire application and curation process for art fairs. Galleries and artists submit their portfolios online. Your selection committee reviews and scores applications through structured rounds. You manage fees, communications, and results from one dashboard instead of juggling emails, spreadsheets, and file-sharing tools.
Will our selection committee see images at full quality?
Yes. Zealous uses lossless image compression, so uploaded files are preserved at their original quality. Your committee sees exactly what the artist submitted. Video files up to 4GB are also supported for installation and moving-image work. You can take a quick tour to see how submissions display.
Can we charge application fees through the platform?
Yes. Stripe integration handles application fees directly. You can set early-bird pricing, create promo codes for returning galleries, and offer volume discounts. Revenue appears on your real-time dashboard. Free applications incur no commission. Zealous charges a commission on paid submissions, which varies by currency.
How do we manage a selection committee spread across different cities?
Each committee member gets their own login and reviews independently on any device. Zealous tracks their progress in real time and sends automated reminders. They can leave comments, score against your defined criteria, and pick up exactly where they left off. You see who‘s finished and who needs a nudge.
Can we run multiple rounds of curation?
Yes. Set up multi-round curation, for example an open call, then a shortlist, then a final selection. Each round can have different criteria, different score ranges, and different committee members. Only applications that progress carry forward to the next round. Read more about structuring your selection process.
What happens when a selected artist drops out close to the fair?
You can issue late-comer links to invite specific waitlisted artists to apply after the deadline has closed, without reopening the whole programme. Individual applications can also be unlocked for resubmission if details change. This keeps your exhibitor list full without disrupting the process for everyone else.
Can we clone our fair for the next edition?
Yes. Clone any programme to create the next edition with your forms, criteria, branding, and committee structure already in place. Adjust what‘s changed, leave the rest. You can run unlimited programmes on a single subscription, so satellite events or seasonal fairs don‘t cost extra.
How quickly can we launch an open call?
Most organisers go live within 48 hours. Sign-up takes two minutes. You can start from a template or build your own application form. The first 20 applications are free on paid plans, so you can test everything before your call goes public. Check our free resources for templates and guides.
Is anonymous review available for fair applications?
Yes. Anonymous mode automatically hides applicant names, gallery details, and personal information from the selection committee. Reviewers see only the portfolio, artist statement, and proposal. This is particularly useful when established names might influence decisions about booth allocation.
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 to make sure your programme is set up correctly before applications open. Most questions get answered the same business day.
