Overview
SPAACES is accepting proposals for future solo, group themed and curated exhibitions. SPAACES invites proposals from emerging and under-recognized mid-career artists working in contemporary visual art. We are especially interested in artists based in the southeastern U.S., but all submissions are welcome. We accept proposals on a rolling basis. SPAACES prioritizes work that is conceptually strong, visually engaging, and aligned with our mission to support experimental, boundary-pushing art. Due to limited staff, only artists under consideration will be contacted. We appreciate your interest and dedication to your practice.
Your submission should include:
- CV/Resume Please include exhibitions, residencies, awards, and related projects as well as educational background. Please do not include employment history unless it is directly relevant to the proposed project.
- Narrative Bio (up to 200 words)
- Artist statement – up to 400 words
- Detailed Exhibition Proposal that outlines both the concept and plan for the exhibition, and the relationship of the work samples to your proposal (up to 600 words)
- Short Synopsis of Exhibition (up to 60 words)
- Budget Worksheet (if funding needed):
- Work samples – IMAGES: Upload up to 10 images. Images must be submitted as JPEG, PNG, or PDFs. Images should be optimized for web/screen preview and no larger than 2MB each. We recommend images that are 72dpi and around 2000px on the longest side. A detailed work sample list formatted as follows: Filename (ARTISTLASTNAME_1.jpg), Artwork title, year, medium, dimensions, Any additional description,
- Work samples – VIDEO/AUDIO: If applicable, please provide up to 4 URL links for video and time-based work. Vimeo is preferred for video. Soundcloud is preferred for audio. Please note: Video/audio samples exceeding 3 minutes may not be viewed in their entirety. For longer pieces we recommend creating an excerpt or providing a cue point in the notes. Include the following information: URL, Password (if applicable), Artwork title, year, duration, Any additional description.
- All applications submitted will be considered final and treated as such. Applicants will not be permitted to add to or edit an application once it has been submitted. All incomplete or duplicate applications will be immediately disqualified.
Advice on Crafting a Strong, Compelling Solo Exhibition Proposal
After a few years of accepting open call applications for exhibitions, we’ve decided to put together a list of tips for artists to keep in mind when crafting a proposal. While some of these are specific to our program, many of them are universal. Good luck!
- Use simple language, avoiding art jargon and buzzwords.
- Open with a strong, clear sentence that succinctly communicates your idea.
- Write directly, and avoid using the conditional or future tenses. “The exhibition addresses ______,” is a stronger phrase than, “The exhibition would address/ will address/ seeks to address______.”
- Be specific when writing about your work. Rather than describing your practice generally, write about a specific project or artwork that you want to use, and make a clear, compelling case for its inclusion.Clearly describe the exhibition plan: how will viewers experience the work? Consider the scale and layout of the gallery space. We strongly recommend visiting the space or reviewing documentation on our Vimeo channel before submitting your application.
- Ask questions! If your proposal hinges on something related to the space: hanging from the ceiling or building a false floor, send us a short email asking if it’s possible, and we’re happy to let you know. Proposals are often rejected because they aren’t realistic for our space.
- Be sure to submit high-quality images of your work. Images should be bright, clear, and photographed on a neutral background. The stronger your images, the stronger the proposal
- Ask for feedback from a friend or family member
- Read and follow all application instructions carefully
