Registration deadline: March 3
Application deadline: May 1

This category provides opportunities for guest and new professional curators to develop a single exhibition in partnership with nonprofit arts organizations throughout the state. Grants are offered for curatorial proposals for the planning or installation of a single exhibition. The category encourages independent curatorial efforts and supports critical writing on the artists' works being presented so that audiences have first-hand knowledge of contemporary art practices. New applicants are welcome in this category.

Support in the category aims to accomplish the following.

Afford organizations the resource of curatorial expertise from outside the organization's own staff to present contemporary work by visual artists

Increase professional opportunities for emerging or assistant curators

Enhance the interpretation of visual art for the public

Provide appropriate fees to participating artists, the curator, and essayist

Offer exhibition opportunities to artists not currently affiliated with commercial galleries.

Solo exhibitions of recent works by artists are the first priority of this category. Small group exhibitions that offer a strong curatorial premise and generally include more than one work by each participating artist are eligible. Exhibitions that include catalogue publication or other documentation of work are encouraged. Survey and salon exhibitions are not considered.

Applicants may make one request in this category either for planning or for implementation. Grants for planning are awarded a maximum of $5,000 and may cover costs related to identifying or hiring curators and essayists to develop exhibition proposals. The maximum award for implementation is $25,000. Grantees in this category are eligible for subsequent support only after any previously funded exhibition is open for public viewing.

Application Instructions

The on-line application form includes the following questions, and a project budget. Required support materials are listed below.

Application Narrative Questions

1. Curator
Provide a one-paragraph biography of the proposed curator. Describe how and why he/she was selected. Briefly describe the staff support available to the curator.

2. Exhibition premise
What is the premise of the exhibition and how do the selected artists' works reflect the premise? In what way is this an important exhibition for the organization at this time?

3. Exhibition history
Briefly describe the development of this exhibition, noting whether it originated elsewhere, is being organized collaboratively, and whether it will tour.

4. Exhibition schedule
What are the proposed dates for installation and viewing?

5. Exhibition space
Briefly describe the configuration of the exhibition space, its accessibility and lighting. What hours is the space open to the public?

6. Audience
How will this exhibition be interpreted for your audience? How do you aim to engage your community and reach a new audience?

7.Documentation
How do you expect to document the exhibition? If a catalog is already planned, list the writers, the images, and describe the scope of the publication.

8. Project finances
Describe plans and activities for meeting the project expenses. Include mention of confirmed support, projected support, and fees being paid to participating artists.

Support Materials

Support materials must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the program by the application deadline. Support materials will not be returned.

1. Resumés for the curator and essayist

2. Short writing sample or excerpt by the essayist

3. Letter of agreement or intent, including fee payments, between the organization and the proposed curator and essayist

4. For implementation requests, up to a total of 20 images on CD-ROM of representative work pertinent to a proposed group exhibition or 10 images on CD-ROM for a solo artist's exhibition. For planning requests up to 10 images on CD-ROM reflecting the scope of the project.