What are Custom Questions?
Custom Questions let you add your own questions to a call's application form — beyond the standard fields like title, medium, and dimensions.
For example, a gallery running an exhibition call might ask:
- "Can you attend the opening reception?" (to plan catering)
- "What are your shipping preferences?" (to plan logistics)
- "Is this piece for sale?" (per artwork)
- "Do you agree to our display terms?" (a single required checkbox)
Question Types
| Type | What artists see | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Text | Single-line input | Short answers (phone number, preferred name) |
| Textarea | Multi-line input | Longer responses (artist statement for this call, shipping notes) |
| Yes/No | Two radio buttons | Binary choices (Can you attend? Need assistance?) |
| Multiple Choice | Radio buttons (pick one) | Choose from a list (preferred date, booth size) |
| Checkboxes | Checkboxes (pick multiple) | Select several options (events attending, materials used) or a single consent/terms checkbox |
For Text and Textarea questions, you set a character limit when creating the question (anywhere from 50 to 2,000 characters). Multiple Choice allows 2–20 options, and Checkboxes allows 1–20 options (each up to 200 characters).
Entry-Level vs. Piece-Level Questions
This is the most important decision when setting up a custom question: does it apply to the whole application or to each individual artwork?
Entry-level questions appear once on the Application Details page (Step 2). Use these for things that apply to the submission as a whole — attendance, shipping, demographics.
Piece-level questions appear for each artwork on the Upload page (Step 1). Use these for things specific to individual pieces — materials, sale status, special installation needs.
You choose this when creating each question via the "Applies to" setting.
Required Questions
If you mark a question as required, artists cannot submit until they answer it:
- The Review page (Step 3) shows unanswered required questions as incomplete items
- The Submit button stays hidden until everything is complete
- The server also validates — there is no way for an artist to bypass a required question
Where Questions Appear in the Entry Flow
| Step | What happens | Custom questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Upload Pieces | Artist uploads artwork and fills in piece details | Piece-level questions appear here |
| 2. Application Details | Artist fills in statement, resume, category | Entry-level questions appear here |
| 3. Review | Artist reviews everything and sees what's missing | Required questions shown as blockers |
| 4. Payment | Artist pays entry fee (if applicable) | Can't reach this step without answering |
Viewing Answers
You can see custom question answers in two places:
- Entry Detail page — answers appear alongside the entry information
- CSV export — custom question answers are automatically included as columns (labeled "Entry Q: ..." or "Piece Q: ...")
Tips
- Keep it under 5 questions. Every additional question reduces completion rates.
- Don't duplicate standard fields. If the call already collects medium, dimensions, or artist statement, don't re-ask.
- Use the right level. "Can you attend the opening?" is entry-level. "Is this piece for sale?" is piece-level.
- Use checkboxes for terms. A single required checkbox with one option like "I agree to the display terms" works well for consent.
FAQ
Do custom questions cost extra? No, they're included with every call.
Can I change questions after artists have submitted? Yes, but be careful — changing question types or deleting questions may affect existing answers.
Can artists see my questions before they start applying? Yes, once the call is published, all questions are visible on the entry form.
For setup instructions, see How can I add custom questions to my call?