Artists Alliance Inc and Abrons Arts Center collaboratively present the 2024-2025 Curatorial AIRspace Residency, which will provide one New York City-based curator with an honorarium, production budget, materials budget, and office space to support the curation of one exhibition responding to the 2025 curatorial focus. The exhibition will be hosted at both Abrons Arts Center and Cuchifritos Gallery + Project Space.
Curatorial Focus
The focus of the 2025 Curatorial Open Call is Transformation. We are seeking exhibition proposals that center arts practitioners who experiment with and transform conventions of cultural expression, production, and site. Applicants may also consider the influences of architecture, hyper-local cultural movements, and interdisciplinary practices.
About Application Process
The Curatorial AIRspace Residency application process will occur in two rounds. Round 1 will consist of a brief application with general questions about the applicant’s curatorial practice. A committee of arts professionals will review Round 1 proposals and recommend applicants for Round 2. Round 2 semi-finalists will be invited to submit a full exhibition proposal that responds to the open call’s curatorial focus. Semi-finalists will be compensated $200 for their Round 2 exhibition proposal submission.
Organizational Partners
Abrons Arts Center is a home for contemporary interdisciplinary arts in Manhattan’s Lower East Side neighborhood. A core program of the Henry Street Settlement, Abrons mobilizes communities through performances, exhibitions, arts education programs, and residencies.
Artists Alliance Inc (AAI) is an artist-founded and artist-centered non-profit that provides a free and accessible platform to produce, experience, and understand contemporary art in the Lower East Side–a longstanding epicenter for creative experimentation and cultural diversity. AAI fosters forward-thinking and experimental practices of emerging and underrepresented artists and curators with funded residencies and paid exhibition opportunities, and advocates for art-making that challenges how we experience ourselves and our communities.
You Will Receive
$5,000 curatorial honorarium
$5,000 exhibition budget (includes artist fees and material stipends)
30 hours of fully subsidized studio rental time in Abrons’ dance studios. Please visit our website to learn more about our studios.
Private office space at Abrons Arts Center, which is located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side
Paid studio visits with AAI’s LES Studio Program resident artists
Mentorship and professional development opportunities, including monthly meetings with AAI and Abrons staff for project development support, professional networking guidance, and mutual mentorship
2 cohort dinners with Abrons AIRspace residents
Installation and de-installation support
Access to AAI’s inventory of equipment and exhibition furniture
Access to Materials for the Arts through AAI’s membership
You Are
A curator and researcher excited to develop their practice in community with other artists
Based in New York City and living within the 5 boroughs at the time of application submission and during the residency period
Not in a degree granting program or a student during the residency period
In alignment with Abrons Arts Center’s Mission Statement and Declaration of Inclusion
Conscientious and genuinely excited to create community with the Abrons Arts Center and Artists Alliance IncAAI teams
Available to attend the required residency programs, listed below in the “Important Dates” section
A creative problem solver and a clear, respectful communicator
You have
Demonstrated experience and participation in the curatorial field
A compelling proposal for the development and presentation of an exhibition that is in alignment with the Abrons Arts Center and AAI’s curatorial focus
Experience managing exhibition development, budgeting, installation and deinstallation processes
Proficiency in Sketch Up and design software (a plus)
You Will
Develop an exhibition that engages with the 2025 program’s curatorial focus of Transformation for presentation at Abrons Arts Center and Cuchifritos Gallery + Project Space
Be actively engaged at Abrons Arts Center in your studio practice on a consistent basis
Be present for Exhibition installation and deinstallation periods
Participate in studio visits with Abrons Arts Center’s Visual Artist Van Lier Fellows and AAI’s LES Studio Program residents
Participate in all required residency program activities
The Curatorial AIRspace Residency is a 9-month commitment from August 2024-April 2025
Important Dates
Round 1 Application opens: February 5, 2024
Round 1 Application closes: March 25, 2024 11:59PM ET
Applicant and Round 2 Semi-Finalist Notification: April 12, 2024
Round 2 Finalist Proposal Development: April 12-May 10, 2024
Round 2 Interviews: Week of May 13
Round 2 Applicants notified: Week of May 24
AIRspace Fall Cohort Dinner: October 10, 2024
Monthly 1 hour meetings with Abrons Arts Center and AAI team: Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec 2024, Jan 2025
Exhibition (Cuchifritos): February 7 (soft open)- April 5, 2025
Exhibition (Abrons): February 14-April 14, 2025
Exhibition Opening Reception: February 14 (both locations)
Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to provide feedback to applicants at this time. Questions? Email [email protected]