Open call for Artists: Queens International 2018

Queens Museum seeks applications from artists and cultural producers living and/or working in Queens to be considered for the 8th iteration of the Queens International. The Queens International is a biennial that focuses on the international within the local via its dedication to the inherently diverse cultural output of of Queens–the most ethnically diverse county in America. Inaugurated in 2001, the International has been a critical and fertile connection between the Museum and the Queens community, increasing dialog and informing broader initiatives. Historically the exhibition has featured artists of all generations who display a steadfast commitment to their artistic practice, and engagement with a locally- and globally- minded artistic community. Among them are many emerging artists who have since gone on to be internationally recognized.

Past Queens International participants include: Judith Barry, Matthew Buckingham, Alejandro Cesarco, Chen-Chi Cheng, Rosemarie Fiore, Flux Factory, Tommy Hartung, Leslie Hewitt, Oded Hirsch, Zhang Huan, Ryan Humphrey, Emily Jacir, Anna K. E., Jayson Keeling, China Marks, Rachel Mason, John L. Moore, Arthur Ou, Clifford Owens, Ian Pedigo, Alejandro Alamanza Pereda, Liz Philips, Michael Rakowitz, Trevor Shimizu, Javier Tellez, Teng Chao-Ming, and Allyson Vieira. See more at the Queens International 2016 exhibition page.

About Queens International 2018
QI 2018 will continue in the tradition of presenting the artistic vibrancy of the borough though contemporary cultural production, with the curatorial team relying on the perspectives of Queens artists through the open call to help determine the most urgent and pertinent themes of the moment. However, QI 2018 will also be approached as a research project, giving consideration to the history of the International itself–mining the programmatic characteristics, themes, and demographics of the prior exhibitions for insight on the ways Queens, the Queens Museum, and their relationship have changed over time, and positing the forces that have influenced both differences and constancies.

QI 2018 will mark the first time that the International will have a presence throughout the borough, a milestone realized through a partnership with the Queens Library system–itself a community and cultural organization that continues to modulate in response to the changing needs of the population of Queens. In addition to enriching and broadening the impact of the exhibition, this collaboration will expand upon a growing, robust partnership between the Museum and the Library, and herald the future establishment of a Queens Library branch onsite at the Queens Museum.

The call is open to both existing and newly envisioned works and projects. QI 2018 will be curated by Sophia Marisa Lucas, Assistant Curator at the Queens Museum, with collaborators who will be announced along with participating artists in January 2018.

Queens Museum is dedicated to presenting the highest quality visual arts and educational programming for people in the New York metropolitan area, and particularly for the uniquely international residents of Queens. In November 2013, the Queens Museum completed an expansion that doubled its size to 105,000 square feet. The expansion provides an additional 50,000 square feet of space, including a suite of new galleries, artist studios, flexible public and special event spaces, education classrooms, a café, back-of-house facilities and visitor amenities. This light-filled new space, designed by Grimshaw Architects, exemplifies the Museum’s commitment to openness, inclusion, community partnership and the diverse communities of New York City. A second phase of the project will bring a branch of the Queens Library into the Queens Museum.

Queens Library’s mission is to meet the needs of the community by offering lifelong learning opportunities and ensuring there is a positive impact in the community. Queens Library fulfills its goals by embracing innovation and change. With a history of offering pioneering programs that meet the diverse needs of the most diverse county in the US. The Queens Library serves 2.3 million people from 65 locations. It circulates among the highest numbers of books and other library materials in the country.

Your application will be made up of documentation of previous pertinent work, and where applicable a proposal for a new project. All materials must be submitted via the form linked below by September 25, 2017.

Submit your materials and see full submission guidelines here.