“It was a pleasure to collaborate with ACAC on Nyugen Smith’s Masta My Language exhibition and performance. ACAC’s team went above and beyond to create space for the artist to authentically express himself and share his story. Their team was supportive, organized, and thoughtful through all aspects of the curatorial process. ACAC is a creative gem!”
-Oshun Layne, Curator & Executive Director, Dashboard (NY) 2022
“The Do Good Fund’s collection of Southern contemporary photography found a wonderful partner in The Alabama Contemporary Art Center. Their commitment to working artists is a rare and laudable example that was unexpected and well-received by the Do Good photographers included in the recent show. Their beautiful space and the staff’s enthusiasm for the exhibition resulted in a wonderful and rewarding collaboration. Keep up the great work!”
-Alan Rothschild, The Do Good Fund (GA) 2022
The Alabama Contemporary Guest Curator program is an avenue for guest curators and artists with thematic group exhibition concepts. This Call for Proposals (CFP) is open to any artist(s) or curator(s) with a contemporary art exhibition that fits our mission, schedule and space. There are a limited number of exhibition spots each year and limited space.
Our aim is to feature projects that show a fresh take on themes that are pertinent to our region and inject new voices into the cultural landscape of the Gulf Coast. Each year we set priorities specific to our various programs so always check the website first.
Although we expect the bulk of these projects to take the form of thematic group exhibitions, limited space will be made for stand-alone projects, satellite, and solo exhibitions. Artists wishing to propose their own work should submit to the Independent Projects page. In line with our mission, preference will be given to projects that incorporate a strong social practice and/or element of community engagement. We are open to any medium or material culture that a curatorial aim might incorporate, given that it demonstrates the art of our time.
First step:
Submit a Letter of Inquiry
a Letter of Inquiry should outline the basic concept of your exhibition in one page (doc or pdf). Make sure your letter includes:
- A short description of the curatorial aim (150-300 words)
- Information on the artists or the scope of the project (number and region of artists, include links to websites if possible)
- An estimated budget (broken out into honorariums, shipping, travel etc.)
- Contact information
Feel free to include images so long as the document does not exceed one page. Artist website links are preferred. Letters of Inquiry are reviewed as they are received (allow for a four week turnaround) and selection is made on a project to project basis. If you have any problems submitting please contact Tyrese Bess, Program Manager for Opportunities & Admin at 251.208.5665 or tyrese@alabamacontemporary.org.
2022-2023 Priorities:
- Marginalized Voices
- Community Building
- Political or Social Equity
- Environmental Health
- Gender Identity
- Intersectionality
- Southern Identity
Full Proposal Deadlines
MARCH 15 – Full proposal due
APRIL 1 – Committee Review
SEPTEMBER 15 – Full proposal due
OCTOBER 1 – Committee Review
W.A.G.E. Rates (as of 2022)
- Solo Exhibition: $1600
- Solo Project: $1000
- 2-Person Exhibition: $775/Artist
- Group Exhibition, 3 – 5 Artists: $400/Artist
- Group Exhibition, 6+ Artists: $250/Artist
- Performance of Existing Work: $500
- Performance, Commission of New Work: $1000 (additional)
- Solo Screening with In-Person Appearance: $165
- Day Rate for Performers: $25/hour or $125/day, whichever is higher
Selection Process
Letters of Inquiry are reviewed by staff only. If your Letter of Inquiry matches our program vision and seems feasible we will request a Full Proposal. Proposals are reviewed by committee twice a year (dates located below) and selection is made on a project-to-project basis. The review committee is composed of Alabama Contemporary staff, local artists, and an exhibition committee member from our board. We engage committee members and artists relevant to the proposal up for review to avoid allowing a static committee to select all proposals. For more information on the process as a whole or Assessment Criteria read the CFP_Guidelines. We usually allow at least two years of lead time for planning new exhibitions and typically run for 3 months, if accepted.
“The Alabama Contemporary team of colleagues and now friends have been exemplary in their commitment and work to support artists first and foremost, but even more so in their support to Guest Curators such as myself in their dedication to experimental ideas and collaborative projects. Our collaboration began together with a cold call from me to Elizabet a day or two after she and the museum launched the Guest Curator program. A call that was initially a soft inquiry to learn more about the program became an hour plus conversation about art, ideas, the region, artist support mechanisms, community and collaboration. Since then, I have been fortunate enough and wholly honored to have been able to collaborate together and mount two exhibitions at the museum! I’m also constantly advocating and cheering for the museum by telling other curators within the region and around the country to apply for the Guest Curator program and pitch shows for consideration.
I couldn’t have asked for a better group of collaborators and community to be a part of, I can only hope that our work together can continue for many years to come. I can whole heartedly say that the AC is one of my absolute favorite museums in the region!”
–Aaron Levi Garvey, Independent Curator, (FL) 2022