Exhibition Proposal Guidelines
Left to right: Gibson & Recoder, 2020; Carl Caivano & Nancy Campbell, 2021, Unfinishing, Barbie Diewald, 2018
Available Potential Enterprises, Ltd (A.P.E.) was formed in 1977 to encourage artists to develop and share their work free from exhibition conventions and commercial constraints. Our mission continues to focus on providing artists with opportunities to create and show work that is experimental, challenging, and original. For more understanding of A.P.E. we encourage you to explore our MISSION + VALUES and HISTORY.
We are especially interested in proposals that:
We are especially interested in proposals that:
- Explore new possibilities/inquiries, whether for the artists involved, for artmaking practices, for this community and region, or for global humanity more broadly
- Invite people into the gallery in new ways or open the space to new audiences
- Create a compelling experience for viewers through a carefully considered use of the space
- Combine the work of multiple artists and expand beyond a solo exhibition
A.P.E. EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES
OPEN CALL
Our next review of OPEN CALL submissions will occur Januray 2025
We accept submissions on a rolling basis.
A.P.E. welcomes all artists and curators to submit proposals to share/show work in the Gallery at 126 Main street and at the Split Level Gallery at 33 Hawley through our Open Call process. If your proposal is specifically for one of these spaces, please note that in your application
Please email your submission to: [email protected] with the following:
PLEASE NOTE: The A.P.E. curation committee meets remotely, so we ask that all proposals be submitted digitally. Submissions should be made in a single email to [email protected] with individual attachments of the above requested materials. If you need assistance with submissions or need to submit your proposal in another form, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 413-586-5553.
A.P.E. considers the curatorial process to be a relational one. Within the review process, A.P.E. may contact the artist(s) to inquire further into the particular curatorial and presentation considerations of the project. If your proposal is accepted, next steps will include a meeting with the co-directors, preferably in the gallery, to discuss the exhibition in more detail. A.P.E.’s co-directors engage in collaborative discussions with artists, particularly around the use of space within the curation of the exhibition.
If your proposal is accepted, it is recommended that you visit the A.P.E. space. If there are circumstances that prevent you from visiting, please contact A.P.E. and we will make alternate arrangements. Images of the gallery and the Window are HERE and a floor plan is HERE
ARC, (activate, research, create): A.P.E.’s SUMMER PROGRAM:
Open to all artists, curators, and creative thinkers, ARC is a summer program of 1-week projects that focus on artistic practice/exploration and public engagement. ARC was initiated in the summer of 2016 and has included performances, interactive installations, on-site making, workshops, exhibitions, and more. We are interested in artists using the gallery in new and innovative ways, exploring various roles a gallery can play within a community.
Learn more about past projects HERE
A.P.E. will provide free space, intern and staff support, administrative and technical support and small grants (if funding allows)
ARC 2024 will take place in June.
If you are interested in applying to this program, please email your submission to: [email protected]
with the following:
● 500 word or 1-page written description/statement of the project
Please include details of how you plan to use A.P.E.’s gallery space and how your project will interact with the public (events, performances, workshops, or something totally different).
● Samples of past work and brief description of how this work relates to the proposed project
● Biographies and resumes of each artist/collaborator involved in the project
APPLICATION PERIOD FOR ARC 2024 HAS PASSED. STAY TUNED FOR NEXT YEAR'S CALL.
Notification of selected projects will be made by the week of April 8th.
Images of the gallery and the window are HERE and a floor plan is HERE
GUEST CURATOR PROGRAM
An important focus for A.P.E. is to provide access and visibility to both emerging and established artists within Northampton and beyond. The newly launched Guest Curator Program gives contemporary artists and curators more agency in the curatorial process. In 2024 A.P.E. will select 2 curators to facilitate and assemble exhibitions from local, regional, and national arts communities. 2024 exhibitions will last for 6 weeks, occurring in April/May and August/September. Every exhibition must include at least one mid-career regional (Massachusetts or greater New England) artist 35 or older. We do this to give a more prominent voice to artists of our region, while creating a conversation with contemporary artists from farther away. These exhibitions will range in approach and media and will be spread out throughout the calendar year. We offer financial support to each of the curators and will offer our assistance (technical, promotional…) to enhance each curator's experience in working with A.P.E.
If you are interested in this program either as a curator or member of the selection committee,
please send an email of interest to: [email protected]
SHORT TERM EXHIBITIONS, RESIDENCIES, POP-UPS, and ENCOUNTERS
A.P.E. also accepts proposals for short-term exhibitions, pop-ups, or residencies that might occur in transitional times between exhibitions. Please submit proposals for such events to: [email protected] These events would be self-produced and are not guaranteed to be staffed by the A.P.E. team. Please include details in your submission about the staffing and support plans for your project.
FLAT FILE PROGRAM
The open call for the 2022 Flat File Program is now closed. The Flat File Program may be returning for 2024. Stay tuned!
The Flat File Program celebrates the potential of flat media: drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, and collage. The collection of small works will represent a variety of approaches to flat media either as finished works or momentary components of a creative process. A.P.E.’s Flat File Program has featured 30-50 artists, bringing work together to highlight and provide exposure to emerging artists and experimental work that is less likely to be shown in a traditional exhibition setting.
The 2022 Flat File Program exhibited in the A.P.E. gallery from December 6-18, 2021 and was part of an online catalogue through December 2022.
Submission Guidelines:
Contact [email protected] with any further inquiries.
OPEN CALL
Our next review of OPEN CALL submissions will occur Januray 2025
We accept submissions on a rolling basis.
A.P.E. welcomes all artists and curators to submit proposals to share/show work in the Gallery at 126 Main street and at the Split Level Gallery at 33 Hawley through our Open Call process. If your proposal is specifically for one of these spaces, please note that in your application
Please email your submission to: [email protected] with the following:
- Written proposal for your exhibition (500 words or one page) that describes your idea, your planned use of the space and considers: Why this project? Why now? Why here?
- Relevant samples (PDF or JPEG) of your work, and/or the work of artists you propose to exhibit.
- For solo shows, please submit UP TO 8 images only.
- For group shows, please submit UP TO 12 images only.
[Please note the size, medium, and date of all artworks included in the samples.]
- Resume(s) and Artist Statement(s)
PLEASE NOTE: The A.P.E. curation committee meets remotely, so we ask that all proposals be submitted digitally. Submissions should be made in a single email to [email protected] with individual attachments of the above requested materials. If you need assistance with submissions or need to submit your proposal in another form, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 413-586-5553.
A.P.E. considers the curatorial process to be a relational one. Within the review process, A.P.E. may contact the artist(s) to inquire further into the particular curatorial and presentation considerations of the project. If your proposal is accepted, next steps will include a meeting with the co-directors, preferably in the gallery, to discuss the exhibition in more detail. A.P.E.’s co-directors engage in collaborative discussions with artists, particularly around the use of space within the curation of the exhibition.
If your proposal is accepted, it is recommended that you visit the A.P.E. space. If there are circumstances that prevent you from visiting, please contact A.P.E. and we will make alternate arrangements. Images of the gallery and the Window are HERE and a floor plan is HERE
ARC, (activate, research, create): A.P.E.’s SUMMER PROGRAM:
Open to all artists, curators, and creative thinkers, ARC is a summer program of 1-week projects that focus on artistic practice/exploration and public engagement. ARC was initiated in the summer of 2016 and has included performances, interactive installations, on-site making, workshops, exhibitions, and more. We are interested in artists using the gallery in new and innovative ways, exploring various roles a gallery can play within a community.
Learn more about past projects HERE
A.P.E. will provide free space, intern and staff support, administrative and technical support and small grants (if funding allows)
ARC 2024 will take place in June.
If you are interested in applying to this program, please email your submission to: [email protected]
with the following:
● 500 word or 1-page written description/statement of the project
Please include details of how you plan to use A.P.E.’s gallery space and how your project will interact with the public (events, performances, workshops, or something totally different).
● Samples of past work and brief description of how this work relates to the proposed project
● Biographies and resumes of each artist/collaborator involved in the project
APPLICATION PERIOD FOR ARC 2024 HAS PASSED. STAY TUNED FOR NEXT YEAR'S CALL.
Notification of selected projects will be made by the week of April 8th.
Images of the gallery and the window are HERE and a floor plan is HERE
GUEST CURATOR PROGRAM
An important focus for A.P.E. is to provide access and visibility to both emerging and established artists within Northampton and beyond. The newly launched Guest Curator Program gives contemporary artists and curators more agency in the curatorial process. In 2024 A.P.E. will select 2 curators to facilitate and assemble exhibitions from local, regional, and national arts communities. 2024 exhibitions will last for 6 weeks, occurring in April/May and August/September. Every exhibition must include at least one mid-career regional (Massachusetts or greater New England) artist 35 or older. We do this to give a more prominent voice to artists of our region, while creating a conversation with contemporary artists from farther away. These exhibitions will range in approach and media and will be spread out throughout the calendar year. We offer financial support to each of the curators and will offer our assistance (technical, promotional…) to enhance each curator's experience in working with A.P.E.
If you are interested in this program either as a curator or member of the selection committee,
please send an email of interest to: [email protected]
SHORT TERM EXHIBITIONS, RESIDENCIES, POP-UPS, and ENCOUNTERS
A.P.E. also accepts proposals for short-term exhibitions, pop-ups, or residencies that might occur in transitional times between exhibitions. Please submit proposals for such events to: [email protected] These events would be self-produced and are not guaranteed to be staffed by the A.P.E. team. Please include details in your submission about the staffing and support plans for your project.
FLAT FILE PROGRAM
The open call for the 2022 Flat File Program is now closed. The Flat File Program may be returning for 2024. Stay tuned!
The Flat File Program celebrates the potential of flat media: drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, and collage. The collection of small works will represent a variety of approaches to flat media either as finished works or momentary components of a creative process. A.P.E.’s Flat File Program has featured 30-50 artists, bringing work together to highlight and provide exposure to emerging artists and experimental work that is less likely to be shown in a traditional exhibition setting.
The 2022 Flat File Program exhibited in the A.P.E. gallery from December 6-18, 2021 and was part of an online catalogue through December 2022.
Submission Guidelines:
- Dimensions of work should be 18 x 24 inches or smaller and must be two dimensional, 1/4'' thick or less.
- All work must be unframed.
- Artists may submit ONE work for consideration.
- All work must be for sale with a maximum price of $300. A.P.E. will receive 30% of all sales and all proceeds will be put towards future curatorial projects.
Contact [email protected] with any further inquiries.
For questions about submissions, please contact Kathy Couch at [email protected] or Mollye Maxner at [email protected].
If you are interested in submitting an idea or project for A.P.E.@Hawley, the Northampton Community Arts Trust building at 33 Hawley Street, please contact Meredith Bove at [email protected]
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