Blind jurying: Complete guide

Blind jurying is a powerful feature that ensures fair, unbiased evaluation of artwork by hiding artist identities from jurors during the review process. When enabled, jurors see only the artwork and submission details—no names, no profiles, no contact information. This guide explains everything you need to know about blind jurying: what it is, why galleries use it, how to enable it, and exactly who sees what.

What is Blind Jurying?

Blind jurying (also called "anonymous jurying" or "blind review") is a process where artist names and identifying information are hidden from jurors during the evaluation process. Instead of seeing "Submitted by Jane Artist," jurors see "Entry #123." Instead of viewing artist profiles and statements, jurors focus solely on the artwork itself.

The goal: Ensure jurors evaluate work based purely on artistic merit, without being influenced by: - Artist reputation or recognition - Personal relationships or connections - Unconscious biases related to names, backgrounds, or demographics - Previous interactions or history with the artist

Why Do Galleries Use Blind Jurying?

1. Fairness

Blind jurying creates a level playing field where all artists are evaluated on equal terms. A well-known artist's work is judged the same way as an emerging artist's work. This is especially important for: - Emerging artists who might not have established reputations yet.

2. Reduces Unconscious Bias

Even well-intentioned jurors can be influenced by unconscious biases. Blind jurying helps eliminate: - Name-based bias: Certain names might trigger positive or negative associations - Reputation bias: Jurors might favor artists they recognize or have heard of - Relationship bias: Jurors might unconsciously favor artists they know personally - Demographic bias: Hidden information prevents bias based on gender, ethnicity, age, or location

3. Industry Standard

Blind jurying is widely recognized as best practice in professional art competitions and juried exhibitions. Many prestigious shows require it, including: - National and international juried exhibitions - Museum-organized competitions - Major art fair selections - Grant and award programs

Using blind jurying signals to artists that your call is professional, fair, and serious about selecting work based on merit.

4. Focuses Evaluation on Artwork

When artist information is hidden, jurors naturally focus on: - Visual quality and composition - Technical skill and execution - Conceptual strength and originality - How well the work fits the call's theme or requirements

This leads to more thoughtful, deliberate evaluations based on what matters most: the artwork itself.

5. Builds Trust with Artists

Artists appreciate blind jurying because it demonstrates your commitment to fairness. When artists know their work will be judged anonymously, they're more likely to: - Submit to your call - Trust the selection process - Return for future calls - Recommend your gallery to other artists

How to Enable Blind Jurying

Enabling blind jurying is simple and can be done when creating or editing a call:

Navigate to your call (create new or edit existing)
Go to the "Juror Settings" section of the call form
Scroll to the "Blind Jurying" field (at the bottom of the Juror Settings card)
Select "Hide artist's name and profile (blind jury)"
Save your call

Default setting: New calls default to "Show artist's name and profile" (not blind). You must explicitly enable blind jurying if you want it.

Can you change it later? Yes! You can enable or disable blind jurying at any time, even after jurors have started reviewing entries. However, be aware that: - If you disable blind jurying after jurors have started, they'll suddenly see artist names - If you enable blind jurying after jurors have started, previously visible names will be hidden - It's best to decide before jurors begin their review process

What Jurors See (Blind Mode)

When blind jurying is enabled, jurors see:

✅ Visible Information

Entry ID number: "Entry #123" (instead of artist name)
Entry description: The description of the work (media, technique, materials)
Piece details: All piece-specific information:
Piece title
Dimensions (height, width, depth if applicable)
Materials
Price (if collected)
Year created
Piece description
All artwork images: Full access to view all pieces and additional views
Entry category: Category classification (if categories are used)
Submission date: When the entry was submitted
Voting interface: All voting and scoring tools work normally
Notes: Jurors can add notes about entries (notes don't reveal artist info)

❌ Hidden Information

Artist name: Replaced with "Entry #123" throughout the interface
Artist profile statement: Not visible to jurors (even if collected)
Artist contact information:
Email address
Phone number
Mailing address
City, state, country
Website URL
Artist profile link: No link to artist's profile page
Artist name in search: Jurors cannot search by artist name (they can search by entry ID or description)
Artist name in lightbox/carousel: Image viewers show "Entry #123" instead of artist name

What About Entry Descriptions?

Entry descriptions ARE visible to jurors. These are descriptions of the work itself (media, technique, materials), not biographical information about the artist. This is intentional—jurors need to understand the artwork, but they don't need to know who created it.

Example: - ✅ Visible: "Oil on canvas, 24x36 inches, exploring themes of urban isolation" - ❌ Hidden: "Jane Artist is a graduate of the School of Fine Arts and has exhibited internationally..."

What Administrators See (Blind Mode)

Important: Administrators (gallery admins and call owners) always see full artist information, even when blind jurying is enabled. This is intentional and necessary because:

Administrative needs: Admins need to contact artists, manage submissions, and handle logistics
Transparency: Admins should be able to verify the process and address any concerns
Post-jurying tasks: After jurying, admins need to notify artists, process acceptances, and coordinate exhibitions

What admins see: - ✅ Full artist name - ✅ Artist profile statement - ✅ Complete contact information - ✅ Artist profile link - ✅ All entry and piece details - ✅ All voting results and jury data

Admin view vs. Juror view: - When an admin views an entry, they see everything (no blind mode) - When a juror views the same entry, they see only anonymous information - This happens automatically based on user permissions

What Artists See (Blind Mode)

Artists viewing their own entries see full information, including: - ✅ Their own name and entry details - ✅ Their own profile statement - ✅ Their own contact information - ✅ All their pieces and images

However: Artists cannot see: - ❌ Other artists' names or information (if they somehow accessed other entries) - ❌ Voting results or scores (artists never see votes, regardless of blind mode) - ❌ Juror notes or comments

Preview mode: When artists preview their submission before submitting, they'll see a note indicating that certain information will be hidden from jurors in blind mode. This helps artists understand what jurors will see.

Search Behavior in Blind Mode

Search works differently when blind jurying is enabled:

What Jurors Can Search For

✅ Entry ID: "123" or "Entry 123"
✅ Entry description: Keywords from the work description
✅ Piece details: Materials, dimensions, titles
✅ Notes: Juror notes about entries

What Jurors Cannot Search For

❌ Artist names: Searching for "Jane Artist" returns no results
❌ Artist email: Searching for artist email addresses doesn't work
❌ Artist location: City/state searches don't reveal artist info

Search placeholder: In blind mode, the search box placeholder text changes to indicate that jurors should search "by entry ID or description" rather than by artist name.

Technical Details

How It's Stored

Blind jurying is stored in the call's prefs string at position 18 (SHOWPREF_BLINDJURY ): - "0" = Blind jury enabled (hide artist names) - "1" = Blind jury disabled (show artist names, default)

How It's Checked

The system checks blind jury status using call.is_blind_jury() , which returns True if prefs[18] == "0" .

When Information Is Hidden

Information is hidden when all three conditions are met: 1. Blind jurying is enabled (call.is_blind_jury() == True ) 2. The viewer is a juror (user_is_juror == True ) 3. The viewer is not the entry owner (entry.owner_id != user_id )

This means: - Jurors see anonymous information ✅ - Admins see full information ✅ (condition 2 fails) - Entry owners see their own information ✅ (condition 3 fails) - Non-jurors see full information ✅ (condition 2 fails)

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Standard Juried Exhibition

Setup: - Blind jurying: Enabled - Jurors: 3 external jurors - Admin: Gallery director

What happens: - Jurors see "Entry #123" instead of artist names - Jurors cannot see artist profiles or contact info - Gallery director sees full information for all entries - After jurying, director contacts accepted artists

Result: Fair, unbiased evaluation based on artwork quality.

Scenario 2: Gallery Staff as Jurors

Setup: - Blind jurying: Enabled - Jurors: 2 gallery staff members (who are also admins) - Admin: Gallery owner

What happens: - Staff members see full information (they're admins, not just jurors) - If you want true blind jurying, create separate juror accounts without admin permissions - Or accept that staff jurors will see artist info (common for internal reviews)

Note: If staff members have admin permissions, they'll see artist information even in blind mode. For true blind jurying, create juror-only accounts.

Scenario 3: Artist Submits Multiple Entries

Setup: - Blind jurying: Enabled - Artist: Submits 3 separate entries - Jurors: Reviewing entries

What happens: - Each entry appears as "Entry #123," "Entry #124," "Entry #125" - Jurors don't know these are from the same artist - Each entry is evaluated independently - This prevents jurors from comparing entries from the same artist

Result: Each entry stands on its own merit, even if from the same artist.

Scenario 4: Disabling Blind Mode Mid-Process

Setup: - Blind jurying: Initially enabled - Jurors: Have started reviewing entries - Admin: Decides to disable blind mode

What happens: - Previously hidden artist names become visible - Jurors can now see who submitted each entry - This can influence ongoing evaluations

Recommendation: Avoid changing blind mode settings after jurors have started. If you must change it, consider: - Notifying jurors of the change - Restarting the jury process if possible - Documenting why the change was made

Best Practices

1. Decide Before Jurying Begins

Set your blind jurying preference before jurors start reviewing entries. Changing it mid-process can: - Confuse jurors - Influence ongoing evaluations - Undermine the fairness of the process

2. Communicate with Jurors

Let jurors know if blind jurying is enabled: - Include it in "Instructions for Jurors" - Explain that they'll see "Entry #123" instead of names - Clarify what information is available to them

Example juror instructions:

"This call uses blind jurying. You'll see entries identified by number (Entry #123) rather than artist names. Please evaluate work based solely on artistic merit, without considering artist identity or reputation."

3. Communicate with Artists

Let artists know if blind jurying is enabled: - Mention it in your call description - Explain that it ensures fair evaluation - Reassure artists that their work will be judged on merit

Example call description:

"This exhibition uses blind jurying to ensure fair, unbiased evaluation. Jurors will review work anonymously, focusing solely on artistic quality and how well submissions fit the exhibition theme."

4. Use Juror-Only Accounts

For true blind jurying, create accounts with juror permissions only (not admin permissions). Staff members with admin access will see artist information even in blind mode.

How to create juror-only accounts: 1. Go to Admin → Admins & Jurors 2. Invite new users as "Jurors" (not "Admins") 3. Assign them to your call 4. They'll see anonymous information in blind mode

5. Review Your Entry Fields

Consider what information you're collecting: - Entry description: Visible to jurors (describes the work) - Artist profile statement: Hidden from jurors in blind mode (biographical) - Piece details: Visible to jurors (dimensions, materials, etc.)

Make sure entry descriptions provide enough context for jurors to evaluate work without needing artist biographical information.

Troubleshooting

"Jurors can still see artist names" - Check that blind jurying is enabled in Juror Settings - Verify jurors don't have admin permissions (admins always see full info) - Make sure you've saved the call after enabling blind jurying - Clear browser cache and refresh

"I want some jurors to see names, others not" - Blind jurying applies to all jurors equally - You can't have different settings for different jurors - If you need some jurors to see names, they'll need admin permissions (but then they'll see everything)

"Artists are asking why they can't see their names" - Artists see their own names when viewing their entries - They might be confused about what jurors see - Explain that blind mode only affects what jurors see, not what artists see

"Can jurors search by entry ID?" - Yes! Jurors can search by entry ID (e.g., "123" or "Entry 123") - They cannot search by artist name in blind mode - Search works for entry descriptions and piece details

"I enabled blind jurying but admins can't see artist info" - Admins should always see full information - Check that users have admin permissions (not just juror permissions) - Verify the call settings were saved correctly - Contact support if the issue persists

"Can I see what jurors see?" - Yes! Create a test juror account (juror permission only, not admin) - Log in as that juror - View entries to see the blind jury experience - This is helpful for testing and understanding the juror experience

Comparison: Blind vs. Non-Blind

| Feature | Blind Jurying | Non-Blind Jurying | |---------|---------------|-------------------| | Artist name displayed | "Entry #123" | "Jane Artist" | | Artist profile statement | Hidden | Visible | | Contact information | Hidden | Visible | | Search by artist name | No | Yes | | Artist profile link | No | Yes | | Entry description | Visible | Visible | | Piece details | Visible | Visible | | Artwork images | Visible | Visible | | Admin view | Full info | Full info | | Artist's own view | Full info | Full info |

When to Use Blind Jurying

✅ Use Blind Jurying For:

Competitive juried exhibitions where fairness is paramount
Calls with external jurors who might have relationships with artists
High-stakes competitions (awards, grants, major exhibitions)
Calls where you want to signal professionalism and fairness
Exhibitions where emerging artists compete with established artists
Calls where you want to reduce bias based on reputation or relationships

❌ Consider Non-Blind For:

Internal gallery reviews where staff know all artists
Calls where artist identity is part of the concept (e.g., "Local Artists Only" where location matters)
Non-competitive exhibitions where selection isn't based on merit
Calls where you want jurors to consider artist background (e.g., emerging artist programs)
Small, intimate shows where everyone knows each other

Note: Even in non-competitive situations, blind jurying can still be valuable for ensuring fair evaluation. Consider your specific needs and goals.

Industry Context

Blind jurying is widely used across the art world:

Museums: Many museum-organized competitions use blind review
Art Fairs: Major art fairs often use blind selection processes
Grant Programs: Most grant programs require blind review
Awards: Prestigious awards typically use blind jurying
Academic Programs: MFA programs and residencies often use blind review

EntryThingy's implementation follows industry best practices, ensuring your call meets professional standards for fair evaluation.

Summary

Blind jurying is a powerful tool for ensuring fair, unbiased evaluation of artwork. When enabled:

Jurors see: Entry numbers, artwork, and submission details (no names or profiles)
Admins see: Full information (necessary for administration)
Artists see: Their own information (when viewing their entries)

Key benefits: - Fairness and equity - Reduced unconscious bias - Industry-standard practice - Focus on artistic merit - Builds trust with artists

To enable: Go to Juror Settings → Blind Jurying → Select "Hide artist's name and profile (blind jury)"

Remember: Decide before jurors start reviewing, communicate with both jurors and artists, and use juror-only accounts for true blind jurying.

Blind jurying helps ensure that the best work rises to the top, regardless of who created it. It's a commitment to fairness that artists appreciate and that elevates the quality of your exhibitions.