GALA Exhibits
A curatorial project in the City of Glendale, CA.
Call for Artist Proposals

This was an OPEN CALL for Artists & Curators AND it is NOW CLOSED.

There is a rolling call for submissions, with the series ending in December of 2015.

Submissions will be considered in the order they arrive and as appropriate sites become available.

GALA EXHIBITS 2014-2015

This series of curated temporary exhibitions will take place in downtown Glendale, beginning in Fall 2014 and continuing through 2015. The project aims to intervene into the retail fabric of this well trafficked area with an innovative cultural program of exhibitions and events. GALA Exhibits, a curatorial project in the City of Glendale, CA, is supported by the City of Glendale Arts & Culture Commission and is funded through the Urban Art Program.

GALA invites emerging and established artists & curators to submit their proposals and qualifications to exhibit work in temporary exhibition spaces and window displays.  Professional artists, curators, and artist groups working in all media (including performance) are encouraged to apply. Persons seeking to execute new site-specific projects are particularly encouraged to apply.

Working closely with the Glendale Arts Commission, the City of Glendale and local property owners, GALA is identifying vacant retail sites, along Brand and elsewhere in downtown Glendale. Interior and picture window opportunities will be selected for a range of exhibitions. This is a unique opportunity for artists to showcase their work and assist in the creation of an active and engaging streetscape. The use of retail space for exhibition is a donation by the property owner. GALA will coordinate the identification of each site and its availability for the selected artist(s).

A program of openings or closings and art walks will draw a diverse audience to the area and aims to not only feature the work of the artists, but also invite a fresh look at our social and commercial environment as central to the cultural landscape.  Solo and group shows, curatorial projects, as well as collaborative projects will be considered.  Artists and projects will be matched with appropriate venues, some taking on the conventions of a white box gallery space, others best suited for creative re-interpretations of commercial display or advertising.

A limited program of one evening events will coincide with openings. Those wishing to propose work, workshops, screenings, or performances, indoor or outdoor, for these evenings should note this on the application.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Artist Qualifications and Proposals will be reviewed based on the following:

  • Artistic merit
  • Appropriateness of work to site
  • Interest in creating engaging presentations to local and visiting communities
  • Thematic or other relation to works being exhibited simultaneously and likely to enhance viewer experience
  • Creativity in use of space and or materials specific to site
  • Interest in the program of temporary exhibitions for Glendale and potential to contribute to the dialog around its exhibition and the arts community at large.

HOW TO SUBMIT RFP:

Submissions must be made online.
Submissions should be set up as following:

  • All documents should be set up as a PDF.
  • All images should be JPEGS (1920 pixels along the longest side and no larger than 2MB each)
  • These documents should be submitted to a DropBox account
  • (free at https://www.dropbox.com) and shared with <GALAexhibits2014@gmail.com>

WHAT TO SUBMIT:

  • a. Letter (1 page) of interest addressing the following:
      • Your interest in this project
      • Your relevant experience
  • b. Professional artist’s resume (2 page maximum)
  • c. 5 electronic images of your most relevant work
    • All images should be 1920 pixels along the longest side and no larger than 2MB each. Please limit video and audio submissions to under 2 min.
    • Name each image/video with artist’s name and number corresponding to the image list.
    • You may include a link to your artist’s website.
  • d. Annotated image list, detailing the following:
    • Thumbnail image along with title and date of artwork
    • Very brief description
    • Materials and dimensions
  • e. Three (3) professional references, with contact information.

 

  • FUNDING: Limited funds for execution, transport and/or exhibition will be provided, on a project by project basis. Works are not commissioned and remain the property of the artist who is responsible for the installation and removal of work. Artist is responsible for insurance of work. Sale of work is at discretion of the artist with all proceeds to the artist.
  • MAP: The GALA exhibits area for 2014-2015 focuses on temporarily available space in downtown Glendale. A project area map will show the boundaries within which the exhibition series will occur. Participation of property owners in the GALA exhibits is voluntary and will be coordinated by the organizers. Do NOT contact property owners directly unless you plan to rent space at market rates.