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COP Guidelines
Intention
We are currently accepting proposals for exhibitions for
our 2008-2009 exhibition season to be installed in the Main
Gallery of the New Art Center in Newton (NAC). The Center
has a 30-year tradition of using the Main Gallery for group
exhibitions (two persons or more) curated by an exhibiting
artist or independent curator. Since May, 1991 we have continued
this tradition through a public call for proposals.
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Scope
Proposals can involve works in a single medium, embrace several
mediums, or combine visual arts with poetry, music, film, dance,
or other performance. They can be organized around aesthetics
or technique; or have social, cultural, historical, intellectual,
or political concepts behind them. Proposals that focus on cultural
diversity or include artists of diverse backgrounds are encouraged.
Proposals that include one or more educational components are
strongly encouraged (see 'Proposed public presentations' under
Criteria, below). Curators who are artists themselves may include
their work in the exhibition, but it should not be the central
focus. Please look at the recent
exhibitions from the past few years.
Gallery Space
The Gallery is the main hall of a former church, with 25-foot
vaulted ceilings, substantial natural light, and 10' x 6' movable
modular wall panels. The space is approximately 2,000 square feet,
with an average width of 39 feet and length of 50+ feet. A maximum
of 320 linear feet of wall can be set up. A visit to the gallery
prior to application is advised and encouraged.
Support
For each exhibition, the Center provides a curator's stipend of
$1000 to be applied to exhibition related expenses at the curator's
discretion. The stipend is awarded after the opening reception.
Curators and artists are welcome and encouraged to consult with
the Art Center to seek outside funding to enhance their exhibition
presentation or invitation, or to provide display advertising.
The Center receives a 35% commission on all sales.
The Center provides:
a set budget for printing + postage of postcard invitation
press releases
including CDs with images for PR
listings in Art New England and artscope
duplication of material for distribution at the exhibition
gallery signage
insurance up tp $100,000 of work on-site
physical assistance in preparing the space
an opening reception with refreshments &
refreshments at a Gallery Talk or public program
The Center does not provide (or pay for):
transportation of artworks to or from the site
unusual installation construction
Criteria
The Center's decision to award a 2008-2009 exhibition opportunity
to a particular proposal will be based on:
- Quality of the work to be shown.
While submission of artists' resumes is required, artists
who do not have substantial exhibition records will be considered.
- Clarity, subtlety, and power of the underlying concept.
We require exhibitions to have an articulate central idea
convincingly presented by the work shown. This idea must be
expressed in a brief curator's statement of concept. This
is required whether the central idea is simply strong aesthetic
resonance between works in a single medium, or complex theoretical
or academic dialogue presented across multiple mediums.
- Proposed public presentations.
NAC is an educational institution, and proposals are expected
to include an educational component connected with the exhibition.
This can be a panel discussion, gallery talk, ongoing interactive
presentations, activities geared toward engaging the Center's
daily student population, or related presentations and/or
performances in other medium (dance, film, etc.).
- Capability of the curator to carry out the project.
In addition to working with the Exhibition Director on the
exhibition design and installation, curators are also responsible
for communications with the artists. This includes assuring
timely delivery of press materials, adherence to agreed-upon
artwork delivery and pickup times, etc. The curator and artists
are expected to work with the Exhibitions Director to assure
all necessary tasks are accomplished (i.e. installation and
removal of work; assistance with gallery sitting and public
programs).
Eligibility
All artists are eligible regardless of race, gender, belief,
national origin, sexual orientation, or physical disabilities.
While artists and curators from the greater Boston area are
encouraged to participate, there are no geographic restrictions.
Please keep in mind that NAC does not pay for travel expenses.
We will not consider
Proposals for one-person exhibitions; proposals that include a general call to artists; proposals which do not
include a statement of concept; proposals which need financial
support from the Center beyond the usual stipend and service
(see Support), proposals which are late or incomplete; proposals
which are inappropriately scaled for the Main Gallery (see Gallery
Space); or proposals which have unusual installation requirements.
Review of Applications
Applications are reviewed by a panel/committee of professional
artists, educators, museum personnel/staff, and NAC staff. The
panel reviews the application and support materials for the
quality of work, educational potential, and clarity. NAC staff
may contact applicant's professional references and/or request
to meet with finalists as part of the selection process. The
review process may also include a phone interview or studio
visit to view actual work.
Dates
Deadline for submission to the 2008-2009 Curatorial Opportunity
Program will be May 12, 2008.
The in-our-hands (not postmarked) deadline for the receipt of
proposals will be May 12, 2008. There will be no extensions.
COP awards will be announced to the recipients by June 16, 2008. If a SASE or packages with return postage is included, CDs/slide carousels will be in the mail by June 30, 2008. Otherwise, slides must be picked up in the
Center’s office between June 23-27.
No phone calls please. The Center will determine the time slot
for COP exhibitions. Lack of scheduling flexibility must be
stated in the application and may affect the committee’s
decision.
Application
Please include the following information.
(Incomplete applications will not be reviewed)
20 copies of the Curator's Statement of Concept
(1 - 3 pages total). The curator's statement must begin with
a one-paragraph summary of the curatorial intention of the show
and should address how each of the artist's work relates to
the central concept.
20 copies of the Image List (pdf).
The image list must be numbered in accord with the slides' numerical
position in the slide tray or the images numbers on the digital
media. You may create your own version of the Image List. The list must include (for each work):
- Artist's Name
- Image Number
- Title of work
- Date
- Medium
- Dimensions
- 'A' (for actual work to be exhibited) OR
- 'R' (for representative of work to be exhibited)
Inclusion of 'actual' slides is encouraged. Inclusion of
only 'representative' image may affect the committee's decision.
Artists whose images have been submitted must have agreed
to participate prior to submission.
The Statements and Image Lists must be collated so that one
copy of each Statement is stapled to one copy of each Image
List.
Please note that submissions to the Curatorial Opportunity Program
must be ALL digital or ALL slides. No combinations.
A maximum of one 80-slide Kodak carousel
(maximum 12 slides per artist) with slides correctly positioned
in tray. We cannot accept loose slides, slides in sleeves, 140-slide
or any other non-standard carousel. There have been missed opportunities
because of failure to present slides correctly. Video tapes
or URL sites will be accepted only when it is impossible to
present the work in slide form. Submit one copy of a video no
longer than 5 minutes and cued to the desired spot.
Guidelines for Digital Submissions
• As with the slide carousel, a maximum of 80 images will
be accepted/reviewed.
• Image formats: jpeg
• Please submit images on a CD labeled with the Curator’s
name and the Title of the proposed exhibit. This CD must be
viewable on a MAC or PC
• Images on CD should be labeled 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, etc.
followed by the artist’s last name. This numbered list
must correlate exactly with the Slide/Image List.
• Images should be 300 dpi with a max vertical size of
8 inches, or max horizontal size of 10 inches. Please note:
image submissions will be projected, and will not be viewed
close up from a computer screen. This image quality is very
important if you want the work to project well. Please do not
send images more than 300dpi.
• Images should be oriented correctly.
Video Tapes or DVDs
• Video tapes or DVDs will be accepted only when it is impossible to present the work in slide or digital image form (ie: if the submitted work involves sound, moving images, performance.) Submit one copy of a video no longer than 5 minutes and cued to the desired spot.
Please do not submit Powerpoint presentations.
Please contact Ceci Mendez, Director of Exhibitions & Community Partnerships at (617) 964-3424 if you have
any questions about image submissions. .
Resumes and references: Include one copy
each of the resumes of the curator(s) and each of the participating
artists. Curators must also submit contact information for three
professional or academic references.
Download a PDF version of
this application and deliver or mail this form and completed
applications to:
Ceci Mendez, Director of Exhibitions & Community Partnerships
New Art Center in Newton
61 Washington Park
Newtonville, MA 02460
(617) 964-3424
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