The CWAC Exhibitions Call for Proposals for exhibitions during the 2023–2024 academic year has closed. We plan to announce a call for the 2024–2025 academic year in late summer or early fall 2024. Below is information about potential exhibition spaces within CWAC and our current evaluation criteria. We expect to release updated criteria with the 2024–2025 call for proposals.
Potential Exhibition Spaces
CWAC Exhibitions offers a few potential options for installations and display, including:
- Two display cases on the second floor, one outside the Visual Resources Center and the east stairwell, and one in the center hallway. Each case has an interior display space approximately 7-¾ inches high with overall dimensions of 2 x 4 feet.
- A 65” 4K monitor in the seating area at the top of the east stairwell, with speaker and sound dome.
- Two-dimensional works may be hung in select locations in CWAC hallways, stairwells, and potentially also the departmental lounge (CWAC 166). For matted works, standard frames in black and blond are available in select dimensions.
All installation sites will be approved by the CWAC Exhibitions team in conjunction with Department of Art History leadership. Please include any specifics you can for objects and layout in your proposal for our evaluation. 3D models of the Cochrane-Woods Art Center prepared by Owen Hoffer are available via SketchUp 3D Warehouse to assist your curatorial planning process for the first and second floors of the building. We are open to other ideas, too—if you have ideas for other spaces or display modalities not listed here, please describe them in your proposal.
Please keep in mind that the monitor and display cases are located on the second floor of Cochrane-Woods Art Center and accessible only by stairs. Additionally, while display cases and other displayed works are monitored throughout the day, they are not locked. During the academic year when courses are in session, the Cochrane-Woods Art Center is open Monday–Friday 8:30am–5pm.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals during the 2023-24 academic year were evaluated based on a variety of considerations, including:
- The strength of the proposal, subject matter, quality of research, objects, etc.
- How the proposed exhibition aligns with curricular and co-curricular activities in the Department of Art History and beyond
- Ways the proposal mobilizes existing JSMC items or proposes new acquisitions or commissions that help grow JSMC
- Ways the proposal draws on loans of work by students or local artists or in campus/local collections suitable for lending and display in our building
- Whether there are rights issues that need to be cleared
- The overall feasibility of the proposed exhibition relative to the exhibition schedule, currently available display options, budget, funding, and other considerations
For course-based proposals, special consideration is given to the pedagogical objectives of the course and student involvement. All instructors and courses are invited to apply, and priority will be given to courses scheduled to take place in CWAC.
For independent student proposals, special consideration is given to how the proposal aligns with the student’s professional development goals and academic interests. Special consideration may be given to proposals that are done in collaboration with affinity programs on campus, such as Open Studio, Chat About, Smart Scholars, and more.
During AY2023–24, the CWAC Exhibitions review committee consists of Théodora Dillman (Curatorial Fellow, MAPH), Natalia Granquist (Curatorial Fellow, MAPH), Owen Hoffer (Curatorial Intern, College), Bridget Madden (VRC staff), Christine Mehring (Faculty Advisor, CWAC Exhibitions), and Allie Scholten (VRC staff). We may consult with additional faculty and campus colleagues when appropriate to review proposals.
CWAC Exhibitions hopes to respond to all proposals within 2 weeks, although we may need more time to review and research the proposal before a final decision can be made.
CWAC Exhibitions is one of several arts spaces on campus that offers opportunities for student- and course-based curation. For proposals not selected for installation in our space, the CWAC Exhibitions Team may offer suggestions for other potential spaces venues at which students could apply.