How to Apply
At this time, we are not accepting applications and do not anticipate reopening the application process until early 2027.
What to know about applying:
From January 9 - 12, 2026, an online application link will appear at the bottom of this page. Applications can only be submitted during this period.
To apply you must fill out the online application, no emails, DM’s, Facebook messages or in person submissions will be accepted. Please do not ask for an exception to this, only online applications are accepted.
When you apply to TCA, you're applying to join the cooperative. Membership involves selling your work in the gallery, serving as a shopkeeper, and actively participating in the co-op.
By Feb 1, 2026, all applicants will receive an email notification regarding whether or not they have been accepted into the 2nd round. As a general rule, we do not provide individual feedback on why an application was not accepted.
If you’re accepted into the 2nd round, you will be asked to bring in a small collection of your work to the shop and meet with the manager.
Once you read thru this entire page, if you have any questions, please fill out the form on the contact page, and the manager will respond to you by email. (Make sure to read the FAQ’s at the bottom of the page.)
What the application will ask for:
The online application will request your contact information and links to your website, social media accounts, or Etsy shop. If you don't have an online presence that effectively showcases your work, you can submit 1-2 images displaying a collection of your items. The application includes several questions about the artwork you're submitting, your creative process, whether you use AI, your price ranges, and where else your work is sold. You'll also be asked about your experience working retail or selling your work at markets.
What to know about Trimble Court Artisans (TCA):
Open since 1971, TCA is a cooperative art gallery that has long been a creative cornerstone of the community in Old Town Fort Collins. It is managed and staffed entirely by it’s members, bringing together the work of more than 50 Colorado artists in 1,400 square feet of inviting retail space. More than a gallery / shop, it’s a supportive and inclusive community of like-minded artists and makers, creating beautiful, handcrafted goods for the public while encouraging one another to grow, learn and thrive.
What to know about being a member of TCA:
Artists must be at least 18 while living & creating their work in Colorado to be eligible for membership.
Annual membership fee is $75.00.
Artwork is on consignment, we do not purchase wholesale or sell work from non-members.
Members accept full responsibility for artwork placed in the shop. TCA while exerting reasonable precautions to ensure safety, is not responsible for theft or damage.
Members are responsible for tagging, stocking, and maintaining their designated display area, and are expected to make regular visits to the shop in order to fulfill these duties.
Our cooperative model relies on regular participation and on-site involvement, which poses challenges for those who live outside Northern Colorado. Members living over an hour away tend to struggle to keep up with their membership responsibilities.
Commission on sales is 70% to the member and 30% to TCA.
Our inventory management system is accessible online, allowing members to log in from home or at the shop to input inventory, print tags, and view sales activity.
Member commission is paid by ACH direct deposit at the beginning of the following month.
End-of year profit, when available, is distributed as patronage dividends to members the following year.
Each member is required to work 64 hours a year as a shopkeeper, (4 hours for January, February, March, April, October and 6 hours for May, June, July, August, September, November, and 8 hours in December). New members train with the manager for the first 3 months before working independent shifts. Working shifts in non-transferable to family or friends, only the member is allowed to work the required shifts. If a member is unable to work shifts, an hourly fee will be assessed.
Membership is considered temporary for the first year, with performance reviews at 4, 8 and 12 months that focus on your sales, suitability as a shopkeeper and contributions to the cooperative.
It is important to consider if your projected sales, minus commission, will cover these expenses and time commitments.
What the review board is looking for:
A local artist / maker with a cooperative spirit who is actively producing original, high-quality art /fine craft across a wide range of products and prices that appeal to our customer base . The work needs to be creative, distinctive and both cohesive and professional. We need to be able to display it effectively in the shop while enriching the variety we offer.
We welcome submissions in mediums that would be a strong and unique addition to our collection.
What the review board is NOT looking for:
To preserve the authenticity and integrity of handmade art, we do not accept AI-generated artwork.
At this time, we are not accepting applications for traditional photography because it has not sold well in the past.
We are not able to accommodate artists/makers that want to sell off old inventory and are no longer producing new work.
We are unable to accept anything that closely resembles artwork already available in the shop. If we have plenty of work in a particular medium, our review board becomes especially selective when considering new submissions in that category.
Frequently asked questions:
How many members do you have?
At the beginning of January 2026, we currently have 57 members.
How many new members are you accepting in January of 2026?
We have space to bring in one new member.
Why can’t you accept more members?
We receive applications from many talented artists, and while we wish we could accept everyone, space and balance considerations require us to say no to some outstanding work.
Why can’t I submit my application in person, or thru email?
To ensure fairness and consistency for all artists, we require that all applications be submitted the same way, using the online form. This allows us to review submissions in an organized and equitable way, and we're unable to make individual exceptions to that process.
How often do you accept applications?
We typically invite artists to apply at the start of each year if space is available.
Who decides what artwork gets accepted?
The board of directors made up of 8 of our members reviews the applications and votes on who would be the best fit.
I’ve applied before and not gotten accepted, can I reapply?
Yes, anyone is welcome to reapply.
I’ve applied several times, why are you not accepting my work?
Because space is limited and we receive many outstanding applications, we cannot accept everyone, even if they have applied multiple times. If your application is not successful, please know this does not reflect on your abilities or the quality of your work—it simply means it wasn't the best fit at this time given the large amount of applicants.
How many applications are you expecting to receive?
We usually have 30 or more artists apply every time we accept applications. For the call for artists in January of 2026 we had 57 applications submitted.
I don’t have experience selling my artwork, can I still apply?
Yes, everyone is welcome to apply, from someone just starting out, to professional artists.
Do I need to have a sales tax license or a registered business to apply?
No, you do not. We collect and remit all sales tax and do not require you to have a business.
I sell work somewhere else in Old Town, can I still apply?
We do not require exclusive rights to represent or sell your work. You are free to sell your work wherever you choose.
Do you have a limit of how many potters / jewelry artists / woodworkers etc. you’ll represent?
No, we don’t have a set limit of how many members we will accept in each medium.