Open Call: Solo Exhibitions and Curatorial Proposals

OPEN CALLS FOR ARTISTS AND CURATORS

CUE’s annual open call provides emerging and underrepresented artists and curators the opportunity and necessary resources to realize an exhibition at CUE’s storefront gallery space on West 25th Street in Manhattan, New York City.

Each year, the open call awards three opportunities for solo exhibitions and one opportunity to organize a curatorial group show at CUE. Awardees are each paired with a mentor, an established artist or curator who works with them throughout the process of planning and installing the exhibition. CUE provides a generous honorarium to each awardee, as well as a budget for transport of artwork and materials 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 developed 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 under-recognized and emerging artists based 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 solo exhibitions nominated by established artists and curators who propose artists they think are deserving and ready for such an opportunity. Generally, CUE presents one or two direct nomination exhibitions each year. The second model is through our annual open call.

In line with CUE’s commitment to providing substantive professional development opportunities to emerging and underrecognized artists, 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.