Call for Proposals
Deadline: March 1, 2008
“Anatomy in the Gallery,” a rotating exhibition program at the International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago, showcases medically themed contemporary art within the unique context of the Museum’s historical collections and exhibits. The program was begun in 1998 to help fulfill the Museum’s mission of enriching its visitors’ lives by enhancing their knowledge and understanding of surgery and related sciences. “Anatomy in the Gallery” is currently accepting proposals for its 2009 exhibition calendar.
Exhibition Calendar for 2009
January 30 – April 18, 2009
May 1–July 17, 2009
July 31–October 16, 2009
October 30, 2009–January 15, 2010
Two exhibitions are presented concurrently during every ten-week exhibition period, one in each of the Museum’s adjacent galleries, for a total of eight exhibition opportunities a year. Please indicate in your submission if you would be unable to show your work during one or more of the exhibition periods.
Proposals are accepted at any time, but the deadline to be considered for 2009 is March 1, 2008. Proposals received after that date will automatically be considered for the next application period. Notification will most likely be made within six weeks.
Qualifications
The medical theme is open to interpretation, but figure studies without additional medical content do not qualify. Individual artists, groups, and curators are eligible to submit proposals. Work in any medium will be considered; however, the physical limitations of the galleries may factor into the committee’s decisions.
Gallery Specifications
The galleries are located on the fourth floor of the building, across from a small elevator. Gallery A measures approximately 600 square feet and has two windows that face east; Gallery B, 400 square feet with one east-facing window. Both galleries have ten-foot walls and adjustable track lighting.
Submission Materials
Proposals must include the following materials:
- 10–15 images, clearly identified with artist, title, date, media, and dimensions or accompanied by a list containing the same information. Acceptable image formats include slides or photographs, marked pages in catalogues or books, and PC-formatted CDs or DVDs. Please do not send URLs for web review or originals. If the work you are proposing to exhibit is unfinished, please provide examples of similar past work and any other materials that would help the committee visualize the finished product.
- Brief statement about work proposed for the Museum and its relation to medicine
- Current resume or CV including exhibition history for each participant as well as contact information for the lead applicant
- $25 non-refundable submission fee, payable to the International Museum of Surgical Science
- SASE for return of materials, if desired
Please address submissions to:
Anatomy in the Gallery
International Museum of Surgical Science
1524 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60610-6684
Artist Responsibilities
If accepted, artists must:
- Design and print announcement postcards at their own expense.
- Prepare work for display. 2-D art must be matted and/or framed for hanging. Artists working in 3-D or time-based media must supply their own display or audio-visual equipment unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
- Transport or ship work to the Museum at their own expense.
- Install work in the week immediately preceding the exhibition and de-install the week immediately following, during normal Museum hours.
- Be present for the opening reception.
Museum Responsibilities
In return, the Museum will:
- Send press kits to local media outlets and art critics. Recent exhibitions have received coverage in the Chicago Tribune, Time Out Chicago, and the Chicago Reader.
- Mail announcement postcards to up to 200 members of the artist’s personal mailing list, as well as to its own mailing list, which includes Museum members and local galleries.
- Host an opening reception. The Museum is also willing to collaborate on the arrangement of an artist talk or another additional event in conjunction with the exhibition.
- Insure exhibited work against loss or damage for the duration of the exhibition.
- Facilitate communication between the artist and potential buyers. The Museum does not charge commission for any work sold.
If you have any questions, please contact Lindsey Thieman, Program Coordinator, at Lindsey@imss.org or 312.642.6502 ext. 3118.