Art Works Downtown invites curators to submit proposals for exhibition in Gallery 1337. Our mission is to offer compelling visual art experiences to the community, and we value diverse and imaginative viewpoints. We encourage proposals that showcase professionalism, clarity of vision, and innovative concepts. We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Approved proposals receive a two month exhibit and a curator stipend up to $5,000.

The exhibit program at Art Works Downtown fulfills a vital role in connecting the public with the creative essence of humanity, fostering inspiration, contemplation, and meaningful discourse. Situated in the vibrant heart of San Rafael, CA, our gallery proudly presents the finest local art, catering to both discerning collectors and casual enthusiasts. We extend a warm invitation to explore our gallery and engage with the contemporary art scene unfolding within your community. Welcome!

Exhibit Dates: Sep 27–Nov 8, 2024 and 2025. Proposals will be considered as they arrive before the due date.

About the Gallery 1337 program at Art Works Downtown

Gallery 1337 at Art Works Downtown features traditional, modern, and contemporary work by established and emerging artists from the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The exhibit program serves the public by offering a connection to the creative aspect of our humanness for the purpose of inspiration, contemplation, and discourse. Located in the heart of San Rafael, CA, this gallery showcases the best of local art for the serious collector and casual viewer alike. Art Works Downtown invites you to visit to engage with the art happening today, in your community… welcome!

Art Works Downtown, Inc, a 501(c)3 corporation, is Marin's premier non-profit art center. Located on Fourth Street, our 40,000 square-foot building houses 4 galleries, 27 art studios, artist membership program, restaurant, jewelers guild, frame shop, ceramic center, other arts organizations, 17 affordable apartments and more. We feature new exhibits, events, and classes every month as well as outreach programs and 6 public art installations throughout San Rafael.

Application Requirements

Conceptual Guidelines

• Proposals will be evaluated based on qualities such as the strength of concept, quality of proposed artworks, and feasibility of exhibit plan.
• Attention will be given to proposals supporting or exploring themes of inclusivity, diversity, equity, or accessibility.
• Concepts should be accessible to a wide spectrum of audience from art-educated guests to people who are new to art.
• Artwork content with explicit sexual content or graphic violence is prohibited. AWD prefers not to censor artwork, but we must also maintain a safe space in our very public gallery.
• The theme must be different than our previous exhibits, see Gallery 1337 archive on our website.

Artist Requirements

• Group exhibits of three or more artists are preferred. Curators working with a solo artist are also welcome to apply.
• Potential artists must be contacted by curators prior to submission of proposal to confirm interest.
• Exhibitors must be living artists who reside within 100 miles of San Rafael California during the exhibit dates.

Artwork Requirements

• All visual-art mediums are welcome.
• Exhibits must showcase about 16–36 artworks, depending on scale.
• Artwork must be ready to install. Installation-art must include clear instructions, or the artist must be available to install complex installations within the schedule.
• At least 50% of the exhibiting artworks must be for sale. AWD asks for a 40% donation upon sale. Sales tax is paid by AWD.
• Artwork must arrive in a professionally presentable state. We do not accept damaged frames, scratched glass, wet paint, floating paper, etc.
• Video art is welcome, but must qualify as follows.
  • Display equipment required must be provided with the artwork.
  • Projections are usually prohibited because the space contains too much light.
  • Audible works must use headphones and not broadcast sound.
• Editions
  • Originals of limited editions are permitted. They must be signed and numbered. For example: photographic prints, printmaking, bronze castings.
  • Un-editioned reproductions such as giclée’s, or print-to-order, are prohibited.

Curator Requirements

• All curators are welcome; including professional, independent, emerging, and team curators. Experience is preferred.
• Curator may use the stipend according to your own discretion. Payable by 50% before exhibit and 50% after the exhibit ends, or 100% after the exhibit ends. Please recognize that an approved budget will be the entire budget for the curator and artists. There are no additional funds for anyone or anything beyond our standard exhibition practices.
• The curator agrees to
  • dates and deadlines as established with the AWD staff.
  • be available for meetings with staff; two receptions; and an Art Talk.
    • Curator agrees to lead an Art Talk about the exhibit, which may be in person or via Zoom. Curator will be required to present an artist talk with curatorial stipend covering their cost for participation.
  • submit a W9 form in order to receive the stipend. AWD cannot offer visa sponsorship.
  • agree to any interviews by the press about the exhibit.
• Exhibitions must be installable in under four days.
• Curator is welcome to offer suggestions for the gallery design/artwork placement. AWD usually relies on our Gallery Designer and Installer to design and install as they are an expert and have an intimate understanding of our gallery space. Any ideas or concerns from the curator will be considered and explored with meetings and communication in a collaborative spirit.
• We strongly encourage you to visit and view the Gallery 1337 exhibit space at Art Works Downtown before applying for this opportunity.

Eligibility Criteria

Proposal Requirements

• Cost to apply: free
• Exhibition Statement: explain how viewers will benefit from experiencing the exhibit, explain the exhibit’s conceptual theme, and describe your vision for the exhibit space. (2000 words maximum).
• Estimate exhibit budget: please provide an itemized budget showing how the curator’s stipend will likely be spent.
• Images or videos of proposed artworks
  • 10–20 images of the artworks to exhibit, or close examples of the types of the artwork expected to exhibit.
  • Image list of proposed artworks, including title, media, dimensions
  • It is recognized that the selection of art in the proposal can’t be guaranteed, but the examples should provide a proximity to the art expected to exhibit.
  • Videos submissions: maximum 6 within the application system.
• Artists' Information
  • the resumes, bios, artist statements, and links for each artist you plan to exhibit
• Curator's Information
  • Resume, bio, curator’s statement (optional), examples of past exhibits
• A draft plan or reference to show the art would display in the exhibition space. See the Gallery 1337 Floor Plan included/attached in this call.

Benefits

• Stipend and exhibit awarded to curators of approved proposals.
  • Approved proposals receive a two month exhibit and a curator stipend up to $5,000 depending on the proposed budget.
• Curator may use the stipend to your own discretion.
  • Please recognize the awarded stipend will be the entire budget for the curator and artists. There are no additional funds for anyone or anything beyond our standard exhibition practices as listed below.
  • Additional payments will be provided for up to three artist participants at $100 per artists per artist talk.
• Exhibition advertising and promotions including
  • Email-invitation
  • Print postcard
  • Press-releases
  • AWD email promotions
  • AWD social media promotions
  • Printed catalogue of exhibit
• Installation of the final exhibit
• Staffing of the gallery during the exhibition. Public hours are currently Wed–Sat, 12–6pm.
• Provide Gallery 1337 to include, but not limited to, gallery design, installation, exhibit, and promotion.
• Two receptions for the exhibit.
• A positive and professional exhibition experience for everyone involved.

Appreciation

Art Works Downtown recognizes your effort and applauds your art practice. Thank you for considering our venue as an opportunity to further your practice and share your artwork with the public. 

Learn more about our exhibit program on our website under Exhibits.