Open call for curators

The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation is excited to announce the fourth in a series of open calls, giving curators, academics, and art historians a platform to stage an exhibition at The 8th Floor, our gallery and event space, at 17 West 17th St. near Union Square, New York City. 

We are searching for emerging researchers and cultural presenters to work with us to realize their pre-existing, and as-yet unrealized exhibition concept. Proposals with an experimental and/or pedagogical approach are sought for thematic group presentations. Applicants should be engaged in research which addresses themes relating to the Foundation’s mission of art and social justice, championing equity, education, access, and underrepresented narratives and practices.  

The selected curator will be given an honorarium of 3000 USD for their work on the exhibition and 2000 USD for their essay in the accompanying catalog. In addition to an exhibition budget, they will be guided and supported in their administrative, planning, and promotional endeavors by the curatorial team at the Rubin Foundation. This commission is open to those who fulfill the criteria for this application and there is no fee to apply. The finalist will engage in all associated programming, in tandem with the resulting exhibition.

Applications will be accepted from December 6 until February 28, 2025 (11:59pm ET). Results will be announced in March, 2025. Visit here for detailed application information and requirements. Please direct any questions to contact@sdrubin.org.

The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation believes in art as a cornerstone of cohesive, resilient communities and greater participation in civic life. In its mission to make art available to the broader public, in particular to underserved communities, the Foundation stages exhibitions and programs at The 8th Floor, all of which are free and open to all.

*Image description: A handful of people in an art gallery looking at various colorful textile, print, and installation works.