CUE’s 2025 open call for solo exhibitions + curatorial projects is now live.
The deadline for applications is June 30, 2024. See below for more info about the opportunity.
OPEN CALLS FOR ARTISTS AND CURATORS
CUE’s annual open call provides emerging and underrepresented artists and curators the opportunity and resources to present an exhibition at CUE’s ground floor gallery space on West 25th Street in Manhattan, New York City.
Each year, the open call awards three opportunities to artists for solo exhibitions and one opportunity to a curator to organize a group exhibition at CUE. Awardees are each paired with a mentor, an established artist or curator who offers professional guidance on their practice and exhibition plans. CUE provides a generous honorarium to each awardee, as well as a modest budget for transport of artwork and a budget for materials needed for on-site installation of the works in the show. CUE staff also provides guidance on project conceptualization and exhibition design in our space, communication and outreach support, identity and graphic design development, photography and visual assets, professional development assistance, and more.
Additionally, for each show, CUE produces an accompanying exhibition catalogue with a long-form essay commissioned through our Art Critic Mentorship Program, written by an independent emerging writer. The catalogue also contains artist and mentor statements, bios, and images of the work.
ABOUT CUE’S EXHIBITION PROGRAM
CUE is a small nonprofit organization that aims to present new and exceptionally strong work by emerging and underrepresented artists who live and work in the United States. We are committed to exhibiting work of all disciplines and mediums, and to building a varied program that is representative of the diversity of the contemporary arts landscape.
CUE’s exhibition selection process consists of two models. The first model is via our annual open call, through which the majority of shows at CUE are organized. The second model is via direct nominations. For this, we invite established artists and curators to propose artists they think are deserving and ready for an exhibition opportunity. Generally, CUE presents three or four open call shows and one or two direct nomination shows each year. The program prioritizes those who have not had major opportunities to present their work to the public.
In line with CUE’s commitment to providing substantive professional development opportunities to artists and arts workers, each exhibiting artist or curator receives support in the form of a generous honorarium, as well as a mentorship relationship and guidance from CUE’s staff throughout the process of planning, organizing, and promoting their exhibition.
DEADLINE: June 30, 2024, 11:59 pm (ET)
APPLICATION FEE: $10*
CUE’s open call for solo exhibitions is now accepting applications! The open call builds upon CUE’s mission to support emerging and underrepresented artists. Selected artists are awarded an opportunity to present their work in a solo exhibition at CUE’s gallery space during the 2025 calendar year.
Each awardee will be paired with a mentor, an established artist or curator who will offer personal and professional guidance on the awardee’s work, practice, and the exhibition. CUE provides a generous honorarium to each awardee, as well as a modest budget for transport of artwork and a budget for materials needed for on-site installation of the works in the show. CUE staff also provides guidance on project conceptualization and exhibition design in our space, communication and outreach support, identity and graphic design development, photography and visual assets, professional development assistance, and more.
Additionally, for each show, CUE produces an accompanying exhibition catalogue with a long-form essay commissioned through our Art Critic Mentorship Program, written by an independent emerging writer. The catalogue also contains artist and mentor statements, bios, and images of the work.
Please see below for eligibility requirements and more info. To get a sense of our program, you can also refer to information about past exhibitions at CUE here.
CUE seeks to support emerging and underrepresented artists and arts workers with meaningful opportunities that help to advance their careers, and to present work that challenges public perceptions and that has been less visible in commercial and institutional venues. We encourage all those whose background and practice resonate with this mission to apply.
*The $10 application fee helps to support CUE’s programs and operating expenses. We understand that for some, this fee may create a burden. If this is the case for you, please contact opencall@cueartfoundation.org to request a fee waiver.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
CUE’s open call for solo exhibitions is open to artists who:
- Practice any artistic discipline that can make use of exhibition space for a solo show
- Have not had a solo exhibition in New York City within the last five years (small non-profit and artist run spaces are ok)
- Do not have current, consistent commercial gallery representation in the United States
- Are not currently enrolled in a degree program (with the exception of students who will have graduated before 2025)
- Have maintained a consistent studio practice outside of an academic setting for three or more years
- Currently live and work in the United States
WHAT DO AWARDEES RECEIVE?
- A solo exhibition at CUE’s gallery space in 2025
- An honorarium of $5,000
- Support from a mentor who is an established artist or curator
- A modest budget for art shipping and art handling to transport and install the work
- A catalogue that accompanies the exhibition and that includes an essay commissioned through CUE’s Art Critic Mentorship Program
- Support from CUE staff on exhibition design and layout specific to our space, communications including press and public outreach, identity and graphic design development, photography, and other professional development opportunities
- An opening reception and potential in-person or virtual programming that accompanies the exhibition
WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS?
Before applications are reviewed for content, a preliminary evaluation process takes place to determine three things:
- Fulfillment of the eligibility criteria
- Assurance that there are not duplicative applications from the same applicant
- Completion of the application form
Please ensure that your application meets all the above requirements, as only complete applications from eligible artists are reviewed. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
The open call will then be reviewed in two rounds by representatives from CUE’s network of alumni and advisors. Reviewers change each year, but include artists and curators who have shown at CUE’s gallery space, board members and advisors, and professionals such as artists, curators, and administrators from peer organizations.
As part of the review process, special consideration will be given to proposals that reflect our commitment to diversity and equity, as well as those that present ideas or concepts that are not well-represented in mainstream, commercial, or institutional spaces.
Selected artists will be notified in late Fall 2024.
WHAT DO I SUBMIT?
- Resume / CV
- Narrative Bio [200 words]
- Artist Statement [400 words]
- Brief Exhibition Overview [100 words]
- Detailed Exhibition Proposal [600 words]
- Impact Statement (i.e. what would be the impact to you of being awarded this opportunity?) [150 words]
- Work Samples (images, video, audio – see application or FAQ for more info)
A note that the strongest proposals are those that are flexible and have room for growth. When developing your application, focus on conceptual language, and describe your work and practice in detail. Include some language about what you’re thinking as far as exhibition design and spatial planning, but please note that this may shift based on your conversations with your mentor and CUE staff.
Please see the application form on Submittable for the full list of questions and requirements. All submitted applications will be considered final. Applicants will not be permitted to edit an application once it has been submitted. Incomplete or duplicate applications will not be considered for final review.
OPEN CALL TIMELINE
Applications for CUE’s open call are accepted once annually. The open call for exhibitions in 2025 is live and will close on June 30, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET. Click the buttons above to see more info about each open call opportunity. To access the application form, click on the “Apply Now” button, which will take you to Submittable, where you can also see other open opportunities for artists and writers. You can also subscribe to our email list or follow us on Instagram at @cueart for updates. If you have any questions, you can contact us at opencall@cueartfoundation.org.
Website link: https://cueartfoundation.org/solo-exhibition-open-call
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