The Cube/ call-for-art

ABOUT THE CUBE

The Cube is an experimental installation space programmed by VAE Raleigh and located within our gallery at 309 West Martin Street. This exhibition opportunity affords emerging and professional artists with a physical space to explore ideas. The space, roughly a 20×20′ box, is equipped with several electrical outlets and track lighting. The ceiling is 14 feet high. Exhibits will run for roughly 2 months, with 2 public receptions.

A stipend of $250 will be awarded to each show. 

ELIGIBILITY

The Cube is open to all living artists, artist teams, and curators. Proposals must show promise and strong conceptual grounding. Preference will be given to experimental work, particularly installation, video and performance art. Applicants do NOT need to be VAE members, although the application fee is reduced for VAE members. VAE is available to provide support in finding accommodations for artists and recruiting volunteer help for install. View previous Cube exhibitions!

Become a member!

DEADLINE

The deadline for 2018-19 Cube proposals is 11:59 pm EST on February 15, 2018.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

There are THREE different ways to apply for a Cube exhibit:

• As an individual artist
• As an artist team (2-4 artists working together)
• As a curator (a non-artist coordinating a show of 2+ artists' work)

The main difference between these three application types is the kind and amount of information we ask for. (The more artists involved, the more info we need.) But no matter what kind of application you're doing, your application must be completed and submitted by 11:59 pm on February 15, 2018

You will submit all of your application materials and pay your application fee here.

APPLICATION MATERIALS include artist/project statement, resume(s), proposed timeline, image inventory/work sample list, 5-10 samples of your work, and $10/15 application fee. 

• Your artist’s/project statement should be no longer than one page and should describe your current work as well as any directions you plan to your work take in the future.
• Resumes should show prior exhibition history and your proposed timeline should be a very brief statement about your expected timing for your exhibition. Is this work currently complete? If not, when do you expect it to be completed? What months between June 2018 and July 2019 would you NOT be able to show?
• Your image inventory/work sample sheet should be a guide to the samples that accompany your application. Your inventory must contain the following information for each sample: the file name (“01_LASTNAME_TITLE.jpeg”), the piece’s title, the media/materials, dimensions, retail price (if applicable) and date of completion. Upload your inventory/work sample sheet as a .doc or .pdf.
  
  Upload 5-10 samples* of your work**. All files should be named like so:01_LASTNAME_TITLE.jpg, 02_LASTNAME_TITLE.jpg, 03_LASTNAME_TITLE.mov, etc.
   
• Still images should be uploaded as jpegs, should be at least 1000px at their widest dimension, not to exceed 2MB per image. Follow the filename format for works as indicated above.
• Video samples should be edited to no longer than 2 minute excerpts. It is strongly preferred that video & audio artists submit their work online through clips or url addresses to online sharing formats like hulu, vimeo, youtube, or dropbox. Videos submitted as uploaded files should be submitted as Quicktime files whose width is no larger than 720px and file size is no larger than 10MB (as that is the largest file eligible for upload on our entry software). Please only submit video art or video documentation of an art piece that requires video to be fully experienced. Do not send video walk-throughs of static exhibitions or video slide shows. While web-hosted submissions are strongly preferred, video and audio samples can be submitted on CD if necessary. Please contact Kyle Hazard to make arrangements for CD delivery prior to February 15, 2018. Follow the filename format for works as indicated above.
• Audio: Audio should be submitted as separate MP3 files. Each track should be no longer than 2 minutes. Follow the filename format for works as indicated above.
• Web-based: Web-based work should be submitted as a URL listed in the work sample list. Please only submit web-based projects. A portfolio website that features audio/video art and still images will not be considered.

*Artists applying with still images only should send 5-10 jpegs. Artists applying with video only, should send 5 samples maximum. Artists applying with audio or web-based work only should apply with 5-10 samples. If you are sending a combination of file types, keep in mind that one video or audio file is equivalent to five jpegs and adjust your sample number accordingly. 
Extra-submitted files will not be reviewed.

**If the work you are proposing to exhibit in the Cube is still currently in progress, no problem!
You can submit jpeg drawings of what you expect the work will be like, or you can rely solely on images of past work and your written narrative to describe the work you are proposing. It's your call! The Cube selection panel is interested in both the work you are applying to show and your past work. 

Incomplete or inaccurately assembled applications will not be considered. Notifications of acceptance or rejection will be sent via email. Please update your contact information if anything changes before you receive notification.

NOTES FOR ARTIST TEAMS
Teams of up to FOUR artists can apply for exhibitions in the Cube. Artist team applications should describe the group's goals as well as the abilities of each group member. There must be one designated team contact who accepts responsibility for fielding questions about the application and project. In addition to the required items detailed above each team application must include:

• A project statement describing the work and goals of the collaboration as well as the individual contributions of all team members. 
• 5-10 work samples OR 3-5 two-minute segments of audio and/or video (or appropriate combination of images video, audio, and web-based work-- see note in Part A). The work samples should include at least one example from each member of the group. 
• A resume for each member of the group; grouped together and pasted into one text box.

NOTES FOR CURATORS
The Cube is a great place for curators to try out new ideas and bring interesting artist combinations together. Applying curators MUST have confirmed artist participation prior to submitting their exhibit proposals. In addition to the required items detailed above, each curatorial application must include: 

• A curatorial statement describing the vision and goals of the proposed exhibit as well as the individual artists being included in the exhibit
• The curator's C.V. or resume
• ALL participating artists' C.V. or resumes
  • 5-10 work samples OR 3-5 two-minute segments of audio and/or video (or appropriate combination of images video, audio and web-based work-- see note in Part A). The work samples should include at least one example from each member of the group.
        _____________________________________________________________________________

THE DETAILS
RECEPTIONS & ARTIST TALKS: Cube exhibits are up for two First Friday Gallery Walk receptions. Exhibiting artists are expected to attend both receptions if at all possible. Artists are encouraged to give a gallery talk or do an demonstration at some point during the duration of the exhibit. These talks are typically done during the second reception (for greatest attendance) but other arrangements can me made.

MONEY: The only fees associated with this exhibit are the initial application fees ($10 members / $15 non-members). VAE does extensive online marketing of its shows (including your own page on the VAE website), but does not print postcards. VAE cannot offer any financial support for Cube installations. You are certainly welcome to apply for grant funding to help you cover the costs associated with making your work, and if we can help you get money we will. Also, you are welcome to use any tools or technology (projectors, pedestals, etc) currently owned by and available at VAE. Accommodations can be arranged for artists coming from out of town if needed. (Please let staff know at least three months in advance)

SALES & COMMISSION: You do not have to offer saleable work in the Cube. Should you decide to, VAE earns 30% commission on the sales of members’ works, and 50% on sales of non-members’ works.

EXHIBIT INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE: Artists are typically allotted 10 days to install their work. The installations must be fully completed by the Wednesday before the opening Friday reception. Gallery staff is happy to support you during the installation of your exhibit, but the bulk of the responsibility of installing your work is on you. VAE provides wall vinyl signage for each show. Any maintenance required during the duration of the exhibit (other than turning the space on and off) is also up to you. If the exhibition requires regular interaction (like turning a piece on and off morning and night) from gallery staff it is up to the artist to make certain that the components can be operated while standing on the floor and that there are written directions for operating the pieces. At the end of the exhibition, it is the artist's responsibility to return the space to its original state by painting/spackling/sweeping (or whatever is needed). VAE is happy to provide spackle, sandpaper, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, etc., but if extensive repainting (or repairs) is required the artist may be asked to contribute money to purchase supplies, or to put down a refundable deposit prior to installing.

APPLICATION EVALUATION: VAE staff and guest curators evaluate applications. Applicants will be notified via email by the end of March after the review of the status of their application. 

ACCESSIBILITY: VAE’s gallery space is fully accessible and we strive to make the submission process accessible as well. We encourage anyone to enter our open call exhibitions. If you need any additional information or accommodations in order to enter this exhibition or become a VAE member, please email Brandon or call 919.256.6856 for assistance. Visit our accessibility page for more information.

Questions? Email Kyle!