apexart's Unsolicited Proposal Program is an opportunity for anyone, from anywhere, to submit a proposal for an idea-based exhibition at apexart. From October 11 to November 8, 2013, we will accept 500-word group exhibition proposals. Three winning proposals will be presented at apexart in New York City as part of our 2014-15 season. Proposals are only accepted online for anonymous consideration by an international group of more than 100 individuals composed of artists, curators, writers, arts professionals, and individuals from other fields.
Our unique system of crowd-sourced jurying asks each juror to read at least 50 proposals, in randomized order. Each proposal receives as many as 25 votes. We believe it is the most objective and fair process of evaluation that we have found. Submissions are reviewed anonymously and solely on the strength of their idea and previous curatorial experience is in no way required. Supplemental materials are not accepted to further level the "playing field."
Three proposals with the highest ratings will be presented the following season at apexart in NYC, and the full tally of results (where your proposal ranked) will be available online to all submitters. We appreciate your interest in our programs.
Applications are welcomed and encouraged from around the world.
Please feel free to contact
us prior to submission if you have any questions.
Jurors for 2013-14 season:
Bill Abdale, Rachel Adams, Kelli Anderson, Yolanda Andrade, Manolis Angelakis, Marwa Arsanios, Mirene Arsanios, Liz Arum, Bryan Baker, Kate Balderston, Peter Best, Eunice Betmansour, Vanessa Biegen, Alicia Boone, Margaret Bortner, Damon Brandt, David Brock, Stephanie Browne, Mike Buehle, Pere Ramirez Caceres, Elisabeth Callihan, Michelle Carollo, Julie Chae, Meiya Cheng, Valerie Chin, Eun Young Choi, Maeve Coudrelle, Susan Daitch, Eyal Danon, Jason Deen, Rodney Dickson, Hosseinali Ekhtiari, Ola el-Khalidi, Eve Essex, Tamar Ettun, CM Evans, Penny Ferrer, Todd Florio, Marcy Freedman, Kevin Freligh, Reymar Gacutan, Mark Gajewski, Mischa Gaus, Jeanno Gaussi, Fran Wu Giarratano, Javier Gonzalez, Sofija Grandakovska, Lynsey Griswold, Mimi Gross, Megan Harrold, Genevieve Hastings, Gisela Insuaste, Steven Johnson, Jon Kessler, Diala Khasawnih, Direlia Lazo, Sandra Liu, Pedro Machado, Amy Mackie, Madison Brent Mainwaring, Zachariah Mattheus, Daricia McBeth, Maggie Michael, Quenton Miller, Susette Min, Mandy Morrison, Natalie Musteata, Samantha Myers, Kosmas Nikolaou, Boris Oicherman, Will Ortel, Maria Ozcoidi, Joan Pachner, Jason Paradis, Piero Passacantando, Cloe Perrone, Shani Peters, Penelope Petsini, Melissa Phegley, Eriola Pira, Q , Tomas Rafa, Jacqueline Reeves, Alicia Ritson, Lauren Rosati, Kiku Sakai, Gedanken Schmied, Andrew Seguin, Maayan Sheleff, Glòria Guirao Soro, Markee Speyer, Wolfgang Staehle, Anthony Stepter, Frankie Su, Andras Szanto, Justin Taylor, Steed Taylor, Odile Tevie, Zaida Trallero, Andreas Trossek, Kate True, Karen Tsai, Jaret Vareda, Christina Vassallo, Puck Verkade, Ngoc-Tran Vu, Lyno Vuth, Benjamen Walker, Rob Walker, Marc Weidenbaum, Grace Cong Xin Wong, Kit Yi Wong, Ahmad Zatari, Maria Zervos |
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• Exhibition proposals will be accepted from October 11 to November 8, 2013.
• Submissions are limited to 500 words
maximum, emphasizing and explaining the idea behind the show.
• No catalogs, resumés, cv, or other
support materials will be accepted.
• You will receive an e-mail confirmation
upon submission. If you do not, please contact
us.
• Detailed floor plan:
Download floorplan in feet
Download floorplan in meters |
We have a wide range of TV monitors, flat screens, DVD and VHS players, sound equipment, headphones, and computers for use in exhibitions.
Download full list here.
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 Q: Who can submit a group exhibition proposal? Do I have to be a curator? |
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A: Anyone from anywhere is encouraged to enter and no prior curatorial experience is necessary. The jury will read your proposal without your name attached to it. Curatorial teams are eligible and encouraged to submit using one single name.
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Q: What kind of exhibition are you looking for? |
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A: The jury is looking for compelling exhibitions based on a good idea. A successful idea-based show is a group exhibition that examines a specific theme. Shows can be about anything that the organizer finds compelling—successful exhibitions have been mounted about everything from television to mapping to literature. The show should have a clearly stated thesis or hypothesis.
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Q: What kinds of ideas are the most successful? |
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A: We do not encourage our jury to evaluate one type of exhibition over another, rather we ask them to look for the most compelling argument for a show. As a result, we encourage organizers to submit proposals for things that they are personally interested and invested in and focus on drafting a proposal that is as clear as possible. In addition, because our exhibition space is limited proposals with a narrow focus are encouraged.
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Q: How many exhibitions will be selected? |
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A: Three. In addition, three exhibitions are also selected through our Franchise Program.
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Q: When will the selected exhibitions be on view? |
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A: Exact dates will be announced, but all three exhibitions will be presented between September 2013 - July 2014.
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Q: Who juries the exhibition proposals? |
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A: An international group of up to 150 creative professionals evaluate the proposals in a "blind" process online. Jurors do not know each other and there is no discussion between them or apexart staff. The jury changes every year.
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Q: Should my proposal include artist names and descriptions of their work? |
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A: You are welcome to include whatever information you think is essential while emphasizing the exhibition's idea. Should you include artist names in your proposal you do not need to contact them or confirm their participation in advance, as the idea is a proposal, not a set exhibition, and will not be made public.
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Q: Can I submit an exhibition with an open call for artwork? |
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A: No. A proposal's concept should be fully established/constructed when they are submitted. Should you want to conduct an open call if must take place before the proposal is submitted.
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Q: Can I submit a proposal for a solo show or an exhibition of my own work? |
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A: No. All proposals must be group shows of at least 3 people. Including yourself in an exhibition proposal is allowed but must be clearly stated. In addition, proposals will not be accepted for exhibitions where multiple people create a single artwork or artist project.
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Q: What is the exhibition budget and what does it cover? |
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A: apexart will provide a $5,000 budget for travel (organizer/artists), transportation of artwork, and general expenses and a $2,000 curatorial honorarium for organizational activities and the brochure essay (approximately 1,500 words). apexart's exhibition space is modest at about 80 sq. m./900 sq. ft. The emphasis of your proposal should be on the idea behind the show and organizers should work within the size and budget limitations as part of the creative challenge. apexart will assist and support the organizer to locate outside support for shipping, artists' travel, and other miscellaneous, however the curator/organizer is under no obligation to raise funds. apexart covers the expense of printing and mailing the full color brochure to over 120 countries and promotion of the exhibition. In addition, there are no costs for the organizer or artists for participation.
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Q: Can I submit more than one proposal? Can I submit an exhibition that has been presented elsewhere before? Can I submit supplementary materials? |
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A: No.
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Q: When is the submission deadline? |
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A: Submissions will be accepted from January 15 to February 15, 2013 (11:59 PM EST—New York time).
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Q: Who can I contact if I still have questions? |
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Q: Did you know that a similar program for exhibitions anywhere but New York City exists? |
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