apexart - The Franchise
Resolving another boundary between art and business  

apexart wants to come to you. Any city, any town, anywhere in the world. We are franchising a one-time exhibition opportunity where apexart will come to your city and appoint you the director of your own temporary non-profit exhibition space. For a four-week exhibition in May, 2009, and in the months preceding, you will be the director and/or curator and/or staff of your own institution with a budget, a salary, and complete control.

 
 
We will provide up to $10,000 USD in funding and the guidance to make your curated exhibition happen. In addition, prior to your show, we'll arrange to bring you to NYC for three days, all expenses paid, to visit apexart and meet our staff.

Submit up to a 250-word statement on why apexart should come to you. You may use your 250-word count in anyway you think best. You can emphasize the idea, the execution or the content. Decide on your own the best way to sway the judges. Applications will be accepted until midnight December 1, 2008 EST, from anyone, anywhere in the world. The results will be made public on or before January 10, 2009.

Submit your application here.

FAQs

Q: Can I produce an exhibition of my own work or a show of one artist's work?
A: Proposals must be for idea based group exhibitions only, NO SOLO SHOWS please.

Q: Can I send more than one proposal?
A: No, please send your best one, we will only accept one proposal per person with no exceptions.

Q: When will the exhibition take place?
A: We will schedule the exact dates with the winner, but the exhibition will take place around May/June 2009.

Q: I live in the United States, can I still send a proposal?
A: Yes, we are accepting applications from all around the world.

Q: I live in one of the boroughs of New York, can I apply?
A: Given the nature of the franchise, we are not accepting applications from the greater New York area; however, you can apply to our annual Unsolicited Proposal Program in January: apexart.org/unsolicited.htm

Q: Do I need to be affiliated with an arts space to apply?
A: Not at all, apexart will assist in securing a space for the exhibition period and in any other "business" transactions.

Q: If I win, do I need to be able to "work" regular hours during the exhibition?
A: You will need to "staff" or have someone "sit" during the exhibition period since the space will be open to the public for at least 4-6 days per week and 5-8 hours per day. Presumably this will come from your budget.

Q. What does the budget cover?
A. Artists fees and travel, transport of art, installation materials, staff, etc.

Q. How much do I get paid?
A. You will receive $2,000 USD, which is external of the exhibition budget.

Q: I am an artist, can I still apply?
A: Yes, but the show proposed must be a group show.

Q: Can curatorial teams apply together?
A: Yes.

Q: Does it help to be affiliated with a university, gallery, or museum?
A: No. It is neither a plus nor a minus to be associated with an established organization. Your franchise idea is the most important consideration.

Q: I still have questions, who can I contact?
A: Send an email with your questions to info@apexart.org and we will respond quickly. No calls please.