CUE Art Foundation - Open Call for solo Exhibitions

CUE’s open call for solo exhibitions is now accepting applications! The open call builds upon CUE’s mission to support emerging and underrecognized artists. Selected artists are awarded an opportunity to present their work in a solo exhibition at CUE’s gallery space during the 2024 calendar year.

Each awardee will be paired with a mentor, an established artist or curator who will work 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.

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. We encourage all those who are eligible and interested 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 barrier or burden to applying. 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 fine)
• 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 by 2024)
• 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 Art Foundation’s gallery space in 2024
• 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 developed through CUE’s Art Critic Mentorship Program
• Support from CUE 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:

1. Fulfillment of the eligibility criteria
2. Duplicative applications from the same applicants
3. 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 promoting diversity and equity, as well as those that present ideas or concepts that are not well-represented in the mainstream, commercial, or institutional spaces.

Selected artists will be notified in Fall 2023.