Curatorial Open Call

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The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation, New York, USA

Application Period: December 6, 2024 – February 28, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)
Results Announcement: March 2025
Location: The 8th Floor, 17 West 17th St., New York City
Honorarium: $3,000 (plus $2,000 for catalog essay)

About the Opportunity

The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation invites emerging curators, academics, and art historians to propose thematic group exhibitions for its fourth annual open call. Selected proposals should explore experimental or pedagogical approaches aligned with the Foundation’s mission of promoting art and social justice, with a focus on equity, access, and underrepresented narratives.

Benefits

Honorarium: $3,000 for curatorial work, plus $2,000 for an accompanying catalog essay.
Exhibition Support: An exhibition budget and guidance from the Rubin Foundation curatorial team in planning, administration, and promotion.
Programming Engagement: Opportunities to organize and participate in 2-3 related public programs such as talks, screenings, or webinars.
Exhibition Space: 2349 sq. ft. gallery space for the proposed project (floorplans available).

Eligibility

Open to curators, academics, art historians, graduate students, PhD candidates, and post-doctoral researchers.
Applicants must:
- Hold a visa to work in the US or be a permanent US resident/citizen.
- Propose a new curatorial concept not previously submitted.
- Detail support or funding already received, if applicable.
Not Eligible:
- Undergraduate students.
- Traveling exhibitions already underway.

Application Requirements

Professional CV: Including education, employment, and prior projects/research.
Biography: One paragraph for applicant(s) and all proposed artists.
Curatorial Concept:
- 500-word proposal outlining the exhibition’s theme and vision.
- 300-word text explaining alignment with the Foundation’s mission.
- Itemized budget for the proposed exhibition.
- Checklist with images and tombstone information (up to 20 works).
Supporting Materials:
- Written thesis (in-progress or completed).
- Supplemental materials such as published papers or cultural criticism.

Awardee Responsibilities

Oversee curatorial administration, loans, and installation.
Collaborate with the Foundation’s curatorial and events teams.
Write exhibition brochures and catalog text.
Be on-site for installation and the opening reception.
Coordinate and participate in 2-3 exhibition-related programs.