CUE’s Art Critic Mentorship Program (ACMP) pairs emerging writers with art critic mentors to produce original long-form critical essays about the work of artists exhibiting at CUE's gallery space. The program is open to writers of any age in the early stages of their careers who meet the eligibility guidelines outlined below. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; selected writers will be notified of their acceptance during the planning process for each exhibition.
Essays commissioned through the program are published by CUE in print exhibition catalogues distributed at the gallery for each exhibition and are also made available and promoted online on CUE’s website and social media. Writers receive an honorarium of $600 for their participation, along with editorial support from their mentor and CUE’s staff.
To read past essays, browse the archive on our website.
ELIGIBILITY:
The Art Critic Mentorship Program is open to emerging writers of any age and any educational background who:
- Have a demonstrated art and/or critical writing practice and an interest in contemporary art
- Are interested in and open to receiving mentorship and feedback from an established art critic appointed by CUE, as well as editorial support from CUE’s staff
- Do not regularly write reviews or essays for a mainstream arts publication (i.e. Artforum, Art in America, Frieze, etc.)
- Have not published a book or are not currently under contract for a book with a large commercial publisher (self-published books, short chapbooks, and publications by small or independent printers are acceptable)
- Have less than three years of experience as an editorial or staff writer at an arts publication (if applicable; this type of experience is not necessary)
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
- Two writing samples (maximum of 10 pages total)
- The strongest samples are reviews, blog entries, short essays, and short-form writing. These may be published or unpublished texts.
- Writing samples must be contemporary and related to visual art (no dance, literature, podcast/radio journalism, or commercial/feature film analysis).
- Please do not submit school papers, research papers, dissertations, exhibition proposals/summaries, and artwork wall labels as writing samples.
- A current CV containing relevant experience (maximum of 4 pages)
If you are unsure about your eligibility or have any other questions about the program, please email us at opencall@cueartfoundation.org.
DEADLINE: June 30, 2024, 11:59 pm (ET)
APPLICATION FEE: $10
*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.
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 2025 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!
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 2025)
- 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’s gallery space in 2025
- 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:
- Fulfillment of the eligibility criteria
- Duplicative applications from the same applicants
- 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 staff and 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.
WHAT DO I SUBMIT?
- Resume / CV
- Narrative Bio (200 words)
- Artist Statement (400 words)
- Brief Exhibition Overview (100 words)
- Detailed Exhibition Proposal (600 words)
- Impact Statement (150 words)
- Work samples (images, video, audio - see application or FAQ for more info)
A note: the strongest proposals are those that are flexible and have room for growth. When developing your application, focus on conceptual language, and describe your work and practice in detail. Include some language about what you’re thinking as far as exhibition design and spatial planning, but please note that this may shift based on your conversations with your mentor and CUE staff.
Please see the application form on Submittable for a full list of questions and requirements. All submitted applications will be considered final. Applicants will not be permitted to edit an application once it has been submitted. Incomplete or duplicate applications will not be considered for final review.
If you have any questions, you can contact us at opencall@cueartfoundation.org.
RESOURCES:
- Frequently Asked Questions: Solo Exhibitions
- Exercise: Writing a Great Artist Statement
- Gallery floor plan, dimensions, and model
- Photos of the space
- Videos from past exhibitions
- Exhibitions archive
DEADLINE: June 30, 2024, 11:59 pm (ET)
APPLICATION FEE: $10
*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.
CUE’s open call for curatorial projects is now accepting applications! The open call builds upon CUE’s mission to support emerging and underrecognized artists and arts workers. The selected curator is awarded an opportunity to gain experience in curatorial research and exhibition making by organizing a group exhibition at CUE’s gallery space during the 2025 calendar year.
Each awardee will be paired with a mentor, an established curator who will work with them throughout the process of planning the exhibition and associated programming. CUE provides a generous honorarium to each awardee, a budget for the curator to allocate amongst participating artists, and 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 at our gallery space, 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 curator, 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 (note that most group exhibitions in recent years were organized through our curatorial open call). We encourage all those who are eligible and interested to apply!
GUIDELINES
- Proposals should be conceptually strong and present work and concepts that are innovative, challenging, and engaging
- Proposals should include the work of three to five artists, with a focus on artists that are underrecognized in accordance with CUE's mission (see FAQs for more info).
- Applicants cannot include their own work in the exhibition
- The applicant and the artists proposed must live and work in the United States.
- Extra consideration will be given to proposals from curators who are early in their careers and those who demonstrate a creative approach to curatorial research methods and exhibition planning.
- Special consideration will also 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.
- Exhibitions that have already been shown elsewhere will not be considered.
WHAT DO AWARDEES RECEIVE?
- The opportunity to conceptualize and present a group exhibition at CUE’s gallery space in 2025
- An honorarium of $2,500
- A budget for artist fees for participating artists
- Support from a mentor who is an established 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:
- Fulfillment of the eligibility criteria
- Duplicative applications from the same applicants
- Completion of the application form
Please ensure that your application meets all the above requirements, as only complete applications from eligible participants 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 staff and network of alumni and advisors. Reviewers are anonymous and are not made public or known to the participants in order to prevent conflicts of interest.
WHAT DO I SUBMIT?
- Resume / CV
- Narrative Bio (200 words)
- Brief Exhibition Overview (100 words)
- Detailed Exhibition Proposal (800 words)
- Proposed artist list, with short bios for each
- Impact Statement (150 words)
- Work samples (images, video, audio - see application or FAQ for more info)
A note: the strongest proposals are those that are flexible and have room for growth. When developing your application, focus on the concept, descriptions of the artists’ work and practice, and what you’re thinking as far as exhibition design and spatial planning. Please note that layout may shift based on your conversations with your mentor and CUE staff.
Please see the application form on Submittable for a full list of questions and requirements. All submitted applications will be considered final. Applicants will not be permitted to edit an application once it has been submitted. Incomplete or duplicate applications will not be considered for final review.
If you have any questions, you can contact us at opencall@cueartfoundation.org
RESOURCES
- Frequently Asked Questions: Curatorial Projects
- Gallery floor plan, dimensions, and model
- Photos of the space
- Videos from past exhibitions
- Exhibitions archive
DEADLINE: June 30, 2024, 11:59 pm (ET)
CUE’s open call for curatorial projects is now accepting applications! The open call builds upon CUE’s mission to support emerging and underrecognized artists and arts workers. The selected curator is awarded an opportunity to gain experience in curatorial research and exhibition making by organizing a group exhibition at CUE’s gallery space during the 2025 calendar year.
Each awardee will be paired with a mentor, an established curator who will work with them throughout the process of planning the exhibition and associated programming. CUE provides a generous honorarium to each awardee, a budget for the curator to allocate amongst participating artists, and 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 at our gallery space, 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 curator, 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 (note that most group exhibitions in recent years were organized through our curatorial open call). We encourage all those who are eligible and interested to apply!
GUIDELINES
- Proposals should be conceptually strong and present work and concepts that are innovative, challenging, and engaging
- Proposals should include the work of three to five artists, with a focus on artists that are underrecognized in accordance with CUE's mission (see FAQs for more info).
- Applicants cannot include their own work in the exhibition
- The applicant and the artists proposed must live and work in the United States.
- Extra consideration will be given to proposals from curators who are early in their careers and those who demonstrate a creative approach to curatorial research methods and exhibition planning.
- Special consideration will also 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.
- Exhibitions that have already been shown elsewhere will not be considered.
WHAT DO AWARDEES RECEIVE?
- The opportunity to conceptualize and present a group exhibition at CUE’s gallery space in 2025
- An honorarium of $2,500
- A budget for artist fees for participating artists
- Support from a mentor who is an established 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:
- Fulfillment of the eligibility criteria
- Duplicative applications from the same applicants
- Completion of the application form
Please ensure that your application meets all the above requirements, as only complete applications from eligible participants 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 staff and network of alumni and advisors. Reviewers are anonymous and are not made public or known to the participants in order to prevent conflicts of interest.
WHAT DO I SUBMIT?
- Resume / CV
- Narrative Bio (200 words)
- Brief Exhibition Overview (100 words)
- Detailed Exhibition Proposal (800 words)
- Proposed artist list, with short bios for each
- Impact Statement (150 words)
- Work samples (images, video, audio - see application or FAQ for more info)
A note: the strongest proposals are those that are flexible and have room for growth. When developing your application, focus on the concept, descriptions of the artists’ work and practice, and what you’re thinking as far as exhibition design and spatial planning. Please note that layout may shift based on your conversations with your mentor and CUE staff.
Please see the application form on Submittable for a full list of questions and requirements. All submitted applications will be considered final. Applicants will not be permitted to edit an application once it has been submitted. Incomplete or duplicate applications will not be considered for final review.
If you have any questions, you can contact us at opencall@cueartfoundation.org
RESOURCES
DEADLINE: June 30th, 2024, 11:59 pm (ET)
APPLICATION FEE: $10
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 2025 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 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!
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 2025)
- 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’s gallery space in 2025
- 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:
- Fulfillment of the eligibility criteria
- Duplicative applications from the same applicants
- 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 staff and 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.
WHAT DO I SUBMIT?
- Resume / CV
- Narrative Bio (200 words)
- Artist Statement (400 words)
- Brief Exhibition Overview (100 words)
- Detailed Exhibition Proposal (600 words)
- Impact Statement (150 words)
- Work samples (images, video, audio - see application or FAQ for more info)
A note: the strongest proposals are those that are flexible and have room for growth. When developing your application, focus on conceptual language, and describe your work and practice in detail. Include some language about what you’re thinking as far as exhibition design and spatial planning, but please note that this may shift based on your conversations with your mentor and CUE staff.
Please see the application form on Submittable for a full list of questions and requirements. All submitted applications will be considered final. Applicants will not be permitted to edit an application once it has been submitted. Incomplete or duplicate applications will not be considered for final review.
If you have any questions, you can contact us at opencall@cueartfoundation.org.
RESOURCES:
- Frequently Asked Questions: Solo Exhibitions
- Exercise: Writing a Great Artist Statement
- Gallery floor plan, dimensions, and model
- Photos of the space
- Videos from past exhibitions
- Exhibitions archive