Proposal Guidelines

The Gallery Space at Wagner holds two to three exhibits during the academic year, including solo, two-person, and group shows. The exhibition schedule is set approximately six months in advance. Artists with bodies of work related to human rights, social justice, arts activism, or inclusion/diversity/belonging/equity/access (IDBEA) are invited to submit proposals to the Gallery Committee. Proposals are accepted throughout the year, and priority is given to NYU affiliates and local artists. 

Gallery Space at NYU Wagner

For proposal consideration, submit the following materials online at wagner.gallery@nyu.edu or via shared drive: 

  • High-resolution digital images of up to 30 samples of your artwork. Please consider wall dimensions and space limitations when making your selections. 
  • An accompanying document describing all work, clearly labeled and numbered, with the name of artist, title of the work, year completed, medium, and dimensions. Specify any special circumstances, such as exceptional weight or size, fragile surfaces, unusual framing, etc. 
  • Resume or CV and a short biography (75-100 words) that includes place and year of birth and, if applicable, exhibition history. 
  • Artist statement (at least 150 words) commenting on the themes of the work and relevance to the Gallery Space mission. The statement should also address any processes or techniques used in creating the artwork, influences, and any information pertinent to the artist’s practice. References to specific pieces are encouraged.
  • A high-resolution digital file of the artist’s portrait or headshot.
  • Alternatively, applicants may mail printed materials to:
         Gallery Space at Wagner
         Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
         New York University
         295 Lafayette Street, 2nd FloorNew York, NY 10012
         Attn: Frankie Crescioni-Santoni
  • Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Quality of work as demonstrated by the visual documentation submitted.
  • Coherence in the exhibition concept and themes as described in the artist’s statement.
  • Innovation and relevance to our mission. 
  • Installation feasibility and cost and labor considerations.
Gallery Space artwork
  • Chosen artists will receive an exhibition invitation via email along with a tentative timeline detailing potential opening reception dates as well as proposed deadlines for artwork delivery, installation, and removal. Artists are expected to accept or decline this invitation within ten business days. 
  • The Gallery’s resident or guest curator, in consultation with the artist, makes final decisions on artwork selection, display content, and layout design. Upon confirmation of exhibition dates, the Gallery Committee drafts a press release, exhibition announcement, and event registration page. The press release is sent to selected media outlets and interested parties; the exhibition announcement and opening reception invite are distributed to NYU Wagner faculty, staff, students, and tri-state area alumni, and the gallery’s and artist’s guest lists. We also provide a limited number of promotional materials—postcards, posters, and an exhibition catalog. These are designed and approved by the curatorial team. 
  • All artwork should be submitted ready for display one to two weeks prior to the agreed installation date. All photography and works on paper should be framed and matted or mounted on sintra or a comparable rigid surface. All framed works should be wired or bracketed in white or black frames. Mats must be white, neatly cut (minimum of 1.5” border), and free of any bends or markings. Artists are expected to assist with installation. On a per case basis, the Gallery Space can provide limited financial assistance toward printing, mounting, and artwork transportation costs. 
  • The Gallery Space insures all borrowed artwork through NYU’s Office of Insurance and Risk Management for the period of the loan, including any run extensions and short-term artwork storage. 
  • We will refer all sales inquiries to the artist. The Gallery Space is nonprofit and does not seek or accept sales commissions.
  • Works may not be removed or rearranged while the exhibition is in progress. Sold works will be released at the closing of the exhibition.
  • Due to space limitations or creative considerations, not all artwork samples submitted with the application may be chosen for the exhibit. 
  • NYU Wagner has limited storage facilities. Packing materials not intended for disposal may need to be removed at the time of delivery.
  • The artist is responsible for artwork packing and removal within 30 days of closing of the exhibit. NYU Wagner is not responsible for works left beyond the agreed artwork removal date.
  • Special circumstances occasionally require a shift in the exhibition schedule. We will inform the artist with as much advance notice as possible of any schedule revisions.
  • The Gallery Space may request exhibition run extensions. These are only confirmed and announced with the artist’s consent.