As soon as I published that
last post I immediately got four e-mails from friends asking how I wrote my exhibition proposal. So I decided that I should probably do a few follow up posts. In this post I’ll explain what I included in my exhibition proposal and give you a few links to get you started if you’re attempting to write a proposal of your own.
The first page is the Exhibition Concept. Basically this is a statement written specifically for this body of work. At only 3 paragraphs, it is short and sweet and doesn’t beat around the bush. It basically explains exactly what the work is about and how it was made:
“Each photograph in (Re)calling and (Re)telling begins with a single large-format negative. Once a print has been made from the negative, fragments of maps, drawings, or other found imagery are manually manipulated directly in front of the camera lens on a delicately lit three-dimensional set in order to arrive at a final image. Although the finished photographs are digital pigment prints, each image is composed and created “in camera” without the aid of photo editing software.”
I added this last paragraph in the middle because frankly it’s not really evident from looking at the images of my work how exactly they were made. Since the process adds another layer of meaning to the series, I wanted the process to be to be more explicit.
The second page of my proposal is called Exhibition Specifications. On this sheet I give all the facts and details about what is involved in showing this body of work:
Presentation: What is the work made of? How is it wired for hanging? How heavy is it? How many artworks are there? Do the works have any special care needs or instructions?
Required Space: Here’s where you list how many linear feet it takes to show this work. Or if your work is 50 meters tall, you might want to mention that here.
Insurance value: Self explanatory. If the venue burns to the ground with your work in it, how much money will the insurance company need to pay you in compensation?
Shipping and Expenses: If the venue asks for a detailed exhibition budget, obviously this would be a whole separate page of the proposal, but here is a good place to say something about shipping/budget guidelines or any special requirements the work needs.
And that’s basically a bare-bones Exhibition proposal. Of course in addition to this I will include my CV, artists statement & bio, a CD of images (or prints if they so request), an image list, and whatever else they reasonably ask for.
Random side note: I don’t apply to places that request slides. I’m just too lazy and slides are just too expensive and annoying to have made these days. I know I should be accommodating, but seriously, I can’t be bothered.
A website that might get you started on how to format your Exhibition Proposal---
Exhibits USA specialises in pre-packaged touring exhibitions, but reading through the descriptions of their exhibitions really helped me figure out how I wanted to package mine. Also
their exhibition catalog is a joy to flip through.
Good luck & Godspeed!
Installation photos the (Re)calling and (Re)telling series installed at El Taller Boricua Gallery, New York, May 2008. Courtesy of Kelly Doule Photography.
Does anybody have any suggestions? What camera do you have? How much should I have to spend for a decent work camera? What can I get for under $1000?
