Visual AIDS invites curators to submit a proposal for our annual one-month exhibition, to take place in Summer/Fall 2017. Visual AIDS utilizes art to fight AIDS by provoking dialogue, supporting HIV+ artists, and preserving a legacy, because AIDS is not over.

Call for Proposals Deadline: August 1, 2016

Visual AIDS is looking for proposals that use art to examine the relationship between HIV and contemporary culture, contemplate the deep cultural history of AIDS, art and activism, or highlight the work of artists living with HIV. Previous exhibitions have challenged notions such as love as activism, believing in the unknown, measuring the undetectable, using text as image to contemplate mixed messages, and the intersection of nightlife and HIV/AIDS activism. Proposals should focus on contemporary issues with an eye towards both ideas of the past and possible futures. Curators are strongly encouraged to consider the work of artists in Visual AIDS’ online Artist+ Registry.

For a full history of Visual AIDS exhibitions, visit: www.visualaids.org/projects/detail/exhibitions

Visual AIDS will provide an exhibition venue in a non-profit gallery space in NYC, honorarium and administrative support, along with access to Visual AIDS artist members, and information about HIV/AIDS and related contemporary issues. Curators need not be based in New York, however they will need to be easily accessible. Organizing, planning and installation are expected to be “hands-on.”

Proposals should be a 1-2 page description of the exhibition that includes a list of possible artists; a working timeline for the exhibition to open Summer/Fall 2017; general budget considerations for shipping and/or art production, and a C.V.

Email proposal to Alex Fialho at Visual AIDS at afialho@visualAIDS.org with email subject line “Curatorial Proposal 2017: [Name of Applicant(s)]” or mail packet to Visual AIDS, 526 West 26th Street, #510, New York, NY 10001.

Successful proposals will illustrate an eye for detail, and an ability to communicate and understand workload management. Curators are expected to be involved in all aspects of exhibition planning, including contacting artists, organizing artwork shipment, installing and deinstalling exhibition, etc. Previous experience curating exhibitions is a plus but not mandatory. A successful proposal will engage contemporary artists and art in innovative ways, while ensuring underrepresented issues and communities are represented. Ideas for related programming are welcomed but not mandatory.

Writers, artists, community leaders and other cultural workers who can demonstrate an ability to curate an exhibition are welcome to apply. We are open to accepting applications from individuals as well as teams and pairs.

Previous curators include Sam Gordon (Persons of Interest, 2016), Emily Colucci and Osman Can Yerebakan (Party Out Of Bounds: Nightlife as Activism Since 1980, 2015), Ricardo Montez and Joshua Lubin-Levy (Ephemera As Evidence, 2014), Risa Puleo (For The Record, 2013), Kris Nuzzi and Sur Rodney (Sur) (Not Over, 2013), Andrew Blakley (Not only this, but ‘New language beckons us.’, 2013), John Chaich (Re/Mixed Messages, 2011/2012), Nathan Lee and Rachel Cook, (Undetectable, 2011), Patrick Webb (The Sword of Damocles, 2011), Jeffrey Walkowiak (To Believe, 2010), Steven Lam and Virginia Solomon (Tainted Love, 2009), Dean Daderko (Side x Side, 2008) Sasha Archibald, Tania Duvergne, Sally Block, Barbara Hunt McLanahan, and Ernesto Pujol.

Visual AIDS is the only contemporary arts organization fully committed to HIV prevention and AIDS awareness through producing and presenting visual art projects, while assisting artists living with HIV/AIDS. We are committed to preserving and honoring the work of artists with HIV/AIDS and the artistic contributions of the AIDS movement. We embrace diversity and difference in our staff, leadership, artists and audiences.

Deadline: August 1, 2016

Successful applicant(s) will be notified in August 2016.