Rough Gems Curatorial Proposals

Rough Gems is Union Hall’s annual collaborative curatorial program that will take place from Thursday, January 16 - Saturday, April 19, 2025. Rough Gems showcases the work of three Denver-area curators or curatorial teams who receive equitable wages, curatorial mentorship, access to Union Hall’s space, budget and facilities and additional resources in order to create month-long exhibitions, alongside supplemental events.

REQUIREMENTS & MATERIALS EXHIBITION SUMMARY* 

Please provide an exhibition summary that outlines the concept and goals. The three main questions this statement should seek to answer about your exhibition are: “What is it?” “What does it look like?” and “What might it mean?”. Applicants should include a working title for the exhibition in this summary. Union Hall also encourages applicants to review curatorial statements and exhibition summaries from previous Rough Gems exhibitions available on our website. Word count range: 300-400 words 

SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAMMING IDEAS* 

In addition to an exhibition, each selected applicant is required to host a curatorial talk, as well as an additional supplementary event. Describe 2-3 separate programming ideas (aside from a curatorial talk) that might relate to the concept of the exhibition. If selected, applicants will work with Union Hall to select one of these concepts and collaboratively plan this event. Past programming has included panel discussions, creative workshops, concerts, artistic demonstrations, performances, and more. Get creative! Word count limit: 200 words.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSIVITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY* 

Union Hall takes into consideration the diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility (DEIA) of the exhibition and supplementary programming. How is the applicant making an effort to integrate these values into their exhibition? This can mean something different to each applicant and can include: featuring a diverse group of creatives or mediums, taking accessibility needs into account, prioritizing intersectionality, etc. What does DEIA mean to you? Word count: 200 words 

CURATOR BIOS* 

Please include a brief bio for the curator(s) who will be working on the exhibition. Union Hall allows for up to two curators for each exhibition proposal. Links to curator websites are encouraged and not included in the total word count. Word Count limit: 600 words 

ARTIST BIOS* 

Please provide bios or artist statements for all artists that will be included in the proposal. Union Hall allows for up to 6 artists for each exhibition proposal. Links to artist websites and social media are encouraged and not included in the total word count. Word count limit: 800 words

BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS - NOT REQUIRED 

Union Hall does NOT require a budget for applicants at this time and this question is optional. Union Hall has set amounts to cover stipends (artist, curator, and any performers), marketing support, basic installation support and materials, and more. Union Hall will consider other proposed expenses as well, which must be outlined here. Union Hall discourages proposals that include the production of new artwork at this time. Please note that this question is intended to gain a general understanding of additional costs for the proposed exhibition and the selection of a proposal is not a guarantee that Union Hall will be able to cover all associated costs. 

Please indicate any of the following that are applicable to your exhibition proposal: 

1. How many works do you anticipate needing to have shipped, if any? For reference, Union Hall typically can budget up to $500 in shipping costs for each exhibition. Please note that Union Hall staff will work with curators to ensure shipping costs are within budget. 

2. Do you anticipate any additional costs for art transportation (truck rentals for local transport), specific hardware, technology required, etc. Union Hall typically has a small budget of up to $100 for additional costs 

3. Any additional costs for the programming proposed, if applicable (e.g., performer stipends, materials, food, etc) Word count limit: 100 words. This question is not required

EXHIBITION TIMESLOT* 

Please rank your exhibition time slot preference from first to third choice. The Union Hall team will take preferences into consideration, and ultimately make the final decision. The three-week time slots are as follows: 

● Exhibition One: 

Thursday, January 16 - Saturday, February 8, 2025 

○ Install: 1/9/25 - 1/15/25 

○ Opening night: 1/16/25 

○ Closing day (gallery closes at 6pm): 2/8/25 

○ Deinstall: 2/9/25 - 2/12/25 

● Exhibition Two: 

Thursday, February 20 - Saturday, March 15, 2025 

○ Install: 2/13/25 - 2/19/25 

○ Opening night: 2/20/25 

○ Closing day (gallery closes at 6pm): 3/15/25 

○ Deinstall: 3/16/25 - 3/19/25 

● Exhibition Three: 

Thursday, March 27 - Saturday, April 19, 2025 

○ Install: 3/20/25 - 3/26/25 

○ Opening night: 3/27/25 

○ Closing day (gallery closes at 6pm): 4/19/25 

○ Deinstall: 4/20/25 - 4/23/25

Required Attachments and Supplemental Links

1. Curatorial CVs 

2. 5-15 images of the proposed artists’ work (images should be sent in a PDF document OR included in a drive folder). Any video files should sent via a Vimeo or YouTube link 

SUBMISSION FORMAT 

Applications must be submitted in PDF format. Please combine all of the above materials into a single PDF. Larger files can be sent through Dropbox or WeTransfer. Note that proposals which do not follow the guidelines laid out in this document will not be considered for Rough Gems. Please send finished proposals to info@unionhalldenver.org. All proposals must be submitted in PDF format with the curator(s) last names followed by ‘Rough Gems 2025 Proposal’. Links may be included in a separate document, linked directly into the proposal document, in the email body.

APPLICATION DEADLINE 

● Friday, September 20th, 2024 by 11:59 PM MT 

● We will respond with confirmation that we have received your application. If you do not receive confirmation within 48 hours of submitting your application, please check in via email or phone, as we may not have received your application. 

● Notifications will be sent out to all applicants by early October. Please do not reach out to inquire about the status of your proposal.