Curator-in-residence Asal Andarzipour in her ISCP studio, 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 22, 2026 at 11:59PM EST

ISCP is excited to announce an inaugural open call for exhibition proposals from curators of all stages of their careers. Early-career curators who have had fewer opportunities to realize exhibitions are especially encouraged to apply. Selected curators will present exhibitions in ISCP’s Second Floor Gallery in Spring and/or Fall 2027. This open call supports curators in advancing their ideas and strengthening their curatorial practices by mounting a solo or group exhibition. Proposals may connect with ISCP’s mission of championing international contemporary art and fostering cultural exchange.

ISCP provides a modest budget that covers curatorial honorarium, transportation of artwork, materials for installation, small-scale exhibition fabrication, artist honoraria, installation photography, exhibition promotion and an opening reception. The selected curator will receive an honorarium of $1,500 for a solo exhibition and $2,500 for a group exhibition in the Second Floor Gallery. ISCP staff will provide guidance on exhibition conceptualization and design, project management, communication, promotion, outreach support, installation assistance and more.

Proposals will be considered for ISCP’s larger Second Floor Gallery (450 square feet), and are required to feature work by ISCP alumni. Inclusion of work by non-alumni is encouraged for group shows only. We welcome solo and group exhibition proposals featuring existing work that is well suited to a non-white cube environment, or artists interested in creating new work that engages with ISCP’s postindustrial warehouse architecture. Please note: the artist(s) in the proposed exhibition may be under consideration rather than confirmed. Across its two gallery spaces—the first floor Project Space and Second Floor Gallery, ISCP is interested in supporting experimental practices and work that is relevant and responsive to the current moment.

For over three decades, ISCP has nurtured an international community of artists and curators that now includes more than 2,000 alumni from over 110 countries and territories including the U.S. ISCP’s exhibition program is an extension of the residency program, which is centered around open dialogue and cultural exchange. You can learn more about ISCP’s artist alumni here and we encourage you to look at this roster when conceiving or refining your proposal. You can learn more about the exhibition program by reading about ISCP’s past exhibitions here. You can find images of ISCP’s Second Floor Gallery here.

 

What is included in this opportunity?

Awardees are offered the opportunity to conceptualize and present a solo or group exhibition at ISCP in 2027. The selected curator will receive the following:

• An honorarium between $1,500 to $2,500 (depending on the type of show they are selected to curate)
• A modest budget that covers artist honoraria for participating artists, as well as art shipping, installation materials, some fabrication, professional installation photography, exhibition graphics, and promotion 
• Support from ISCP’s Director of Programs and Exhibitions and ISCP’s staff (assistance with exhibition planning, installation, and communications including press and publicity)
• An opening reception and possibly one public program that coincides with the exhibition

Proposal Guidelines

• ISCP is seeking proposals for solo and thematic group exhibitions and applicants are welcome to submit proposals for both types of exhibitions
• Proposals for solo and group exhibitions should feature the work of ISCP alumni or current residents who will be alumni in 2027
• Group show proposals should include the work of about 3-5 artists, with consideration of geographic diversity 
• For group show proposals, applicants are welcome to propose artists who are not alumni to be shown alongside works by alumni
• Proposals should present works and ideas that are inventive, challenging, and experimental 
• ISCP encourages proposals that are flexible and can be further developed and refined in collaboration with the team

Eligibility 

• This opportunity is open to curators, art historians, academics, researchers, graduate students and other arts professionals
• Applicants must hold U.S. citizenship or have permanent or temporary residency status that offers eligibility to be paid in the United States. Applicants must be able to accept a 1099 U.S. government form
• The applicant must live in the greater New York area or be able to travel to New York two to three times during the planning and presentation of the exhibition
• Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate innovative curatorial approaches and formats and foreground ideas underrepresented in traditional, commercial, or larger institutional contexts
• Applicants who also have an art practice may not include their own work in the exhibition

 

How to Apply and Submission Materials

• To submit your exhibition proposal(s), please e-mail the following submission materials in one PDF to programs@iscp-nyc.org. Please put “Exhibition Proposal – Your Name” in the subject line. Applications are due by Monday, June 22 at 11:59PM.
• Submission materials to include in e-mail:

1. Resume / CV
2. Narrative Bio 
3. Exhibition Proposal for group and/or solo show. Please describe theme and approach (500 words max)
4. Short paragraph describing why this exhibition is important and how it might connect to ISCP’s mission (150 words max) 
5. Proposed artist list, with short bios (150 words max) for each artist under consideration
6. If your project has already received funding please describe this support, including the amount, names of prospective funders, and the criteria for using the funds 

• You are welcome to submit proposals for both a solo and a group exhibition; if selected, you will only be offered the opportunity to curate one exhibition.

Selection Process, Timeline, and Responsibilities

• The deadline for submission is Monday, June 22, 2026 at 11:59PM EST.
• Proposals will be reviewed by ISCP’s staff and finalists may be invited for an interview as part of the selection process 
• Selected curators will be notified by early July
• Selected curators must be available for planning meetings and studio visits and they will compile a checklist, select a title, write all exhibition materials (press release, website exhibition description, and wall text) with edits and final approval from ISCP staff, secure exhibition loans, oversee installation planning and execution
• A formal agreement, with timeline, responsibilities, and terms of payment will be executed before beginning work on the exhibition

For questions, please contact programs@iscp-nyc.org.