Short Description

Descanso Gardens invites curators, artists, collectives, cultural producers, and thinkers of all kinds to submit preliminary curatorial proposals on the theme of water. We are looking for exhibitions and cultural programs that are inspired by careful study of water history, policy, culture, science, and art. Water is the lifeblood of Descanso Gardens. It is reflected in our future planning, wellness practices, and storytelling. Locally and around the world, water is a symbol of wellness and abundance, but also scarcity and disruption. What is the past, present, and future of water? How can we celebrate water? What can we learn from other cultures, both indigenous and around the world? How does it connect us and protect us, and how do we shape and protect it? What hidden stories can be revealed about water?

To learn more about the Call for Proposals, participation requirements, and application guidelines, please visit Descanso Gardens website: https://www.descansogardens.org/visit/call-for-proposals/

 

Eligibility: USA national

Deadline and any important times: May 16, 2025

Application fee: none

How to Apply

The application process is divided into two rounds:

Round 1.

The first round of preliminary applications is due on May 16, 2025. The preliminary proposal must include the following information:
– A completed preliminary curatorial proposal form
– Your Resume and CVs of curators, artists, and other key collaborators
– 5-10 images with captions (no more than 10 MB)
– Any other information that may be relevant to your proposal (essays, articles, etc.)
All Round 1 submissions are reviewed by Descanso’s Staff Committee for Exhibitions and Engagement to shortlist applications for Round 2.

Round 2.
On June 9, 2025, Descanso Gardens will invite a select group of applicants to submit full curatorial proposals with in-depth information about the exhibition/ program concept, proposed partnerships, artist selections, timeline, and budget. Final applications will be
reviewed by Descanso’s Exhibition and Engagement Roundtable, a panel of outside experts who specialize in exhibition curation, performance arts, nature education, community outreach and engagement, and horticulture. The final selection of winning proposals will be
informed by the Roundtable’s and Staff Committee’s recommendations. Please note that participation in Round 2 does not guarantee the project’s selection for presentation at Descanso Gardens.

Information about organization: Descanso Gardens is a unique Southern California landscape distinguished by its specialized botanic collections, historical significance, and rare natural beauty. We are an urban retreat located 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, with principal collections including California native plants and oak woodlands; one of the largest collections of camellias in the Western Hemisphere; a rose garden with specimens from all corners of the globe; and significant presentations of lilacs, maple trees, cherry trees, and iris. Descanso Gardens has been designated an International Camellia Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums as a museum of living collections, Descanso Gardens welcomes more than 950,000 visitors annually. The Gardens are operated by the Descanso Gardens Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in a public-private partnership with Los Angeles County.

At Descanso Gardens, we connect people with nature and one another. Our mission is to practice exemplary stewardship of Descanso’s distinctive character and assets; offer people an experience close to nature; and cultivate an understanding of the natural world and people’s place in it through inspiration, education and example.

Details about the awards offered: Descanso Gardens seeks curatorial proposals for the 2026-2028 calendar

Website link: https://www.descansogardens.org/visit/call-for-proposals/ and Marina Erfle merfle@descansogardens.org

 

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