All good art exhibits begin with a curatorial thesis. This thesis is the idea–the theme–that ties all of the artwork together.
When you consider submitting an exhibit proposal, keep in mind that you will be judged on the strength of your curatorial thesis. Make sure it is sound. Get very clear on what the exhibit is about before you sit down to draft your proposal. Now, I’m not talking about asking to hang your work at a coffee shop or other lower-tier venue. I’m talking about those times when you want to approach a gallery or nonprofit space and are asked to submit an official proposal.
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| Pamela Wamala, Winter Sky: Two 21 x 21 inches. ©The Artist |
The first thing to do in these situations is to ask the venue if they have a particular exhibition proposal format they prefer. If they do, take careful notes and follow their wishes to a T. If they don’t have specific guidelines, here are the three major components you’ll include.
1. A cover letter thanking the venue for considering your proposal. Be sure you have the exact name and correct spelling of the exhibit director or curator so you can personalize your letter. Briefly tout your credentials in your cover letter if it’s necessary to do so.
2. One to two pages (only as long as needed) of text that explains the particulars of the exhibit. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make it more readable. Include these key items:
- Description of the proposed exhibit (your thesis in 3-4 sentences)
- Explanation of how your exhibit fits with the collection or exhibition program of the venue
- List of the artists to be included
- Number of artworks to be shown
- Space required (square feet or linear feet)
- Shipping expenses, if it’s not a local venue (usually prorated)
- Exhibit fees, if you are touring the exhibit and charging a rental fee
3. Support material to back up your proposal. The most critical piece of your support material is the images of the artwork. If it’s a small-ish exhibit, include an image of every work you plan to show. For a larger exhibit, you can use a sampling of 10-20 images as long as the images you choose are clearly representative of the entire exhibit. You might also include bios or résumés of each artist and any substantial articles that have been written about you or the other artists in your proposal.
There’s more about exhibits in the audio program and e-book, How to Curate & Install Your Art Exhibit.
See similar articles: Submit a Proposal You’re Proud Of, Art Exhibits, Venues, & Presentation (archives)
KNOW THIS———-~> Your exhibit proposal will be judged on the curatorial thesis.
THINK ABOUT THIS—~>Are you clear on what your exhibit is about?
DO THIS————~>Draft a winning exhibit proposal. Start with clarity. If you’re fuzzy about why you’re proposing the exhibit, the process of putting together a proposal should help you get clear. It will also make for a stronger exhibit in the long run.
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