Proposals
Guidelines for Exhibition Proposals by Curators
Statement of Purpose
The Foreman Art Gallery of Bishop’s University, located beside the foyer of Centennial Theatre, is committed to art presentation and discourse, as well as the exploration of diversity of culture. The goal of the art gallery is to become an important centre for visual arts through an exhibition program of recent, innovative and challenging art by professional artists from Canada and abroad. The art gallery achieves its goals through its programming of exhibitions of contemporary and historical arts: painting, sculpture, mixed media, installation, video and films. These exhibitions, together with lectures, symposia and workshops, are presented with the objective of generating curiosity and provoking public debate on cultural and social issues.
One of the Gallery’s main objectives is to provide visitors who are unable to travel to major metropolitan Canadian centres with the opportunity to view the work of artists who challenge their perception of art and life. Admission is always free of charge. Secondly, the flexibility of our structure and the technical facilities available to artists are one of our main tools with which we want to pursue the development of production-residencies and of subsequent publications. Finally, each year one of our exhibitions focuses on art which has a direct relevancy to the area in which we are based.
The Foreman Art Gallery of Bishop’s University presents four to five exhibitions per year by professional artists with a balance of Canadian and international content. Exhibitions are organized by the gallery’s curator or guest curators and programmed two or three years in advance. The gallery only considers curated exhibitions by emerging and established curators. The gallery’s Director/Curator conducts ongoing research on artists throughout the year.
How to submit a proposal
Curated exhibition proposals must be addressed to the Director/Curator, Foreman Art Gallery. Enclosure of a stamped return envelope is appreciated. Complete submissions include the following elements:
- A letter of motivation that summarizes the curatorial proposal and situates it within the mandate of the Gallery;
- At least 10 images of the work of each artist to be presented (e-mail, WeTransfer or USB key) ;
- All other documents such as exhibition catalogues, press dossier, and the outline of the curator’s practice;
- The professional Curriculum Vitaes of all persons implicated in the project.
When to submit
Foreman Art Gallery curatorial staff schedule proposal reviews on an ad hoc basis. Allow at least six months for a reply.
Any packages sent to the gallery will be reviewed with great interest. If the curator wants the material to be sent back, he or she must include a self-addressed envelope with appropriate postage.
Information:
Gentiane Bélanger, Director/Curator
gbelange(at)ubishops.ca
Specifications
| Structure |
Constructed in 1992 Originally was an artist-run-centre |
| Publicity | Press releases, catalogues, invitations, posters, and media coverage |
| Gallery |
One gallery: 154.5 sq. meters Additional panels: can be provided Location: first floor in Centennial Theatre Exterior walls: Brick Interior: Concrete, gyprock, and plywood Steel structural support Floors: concrete covered with carpet Ceiling: hung gyprock ceiling; height:3.55 m Hanging walls: gyprock and wood Exit doors off gallery: Height: 2.0 m/Width: 1.80 m2 |
| Access |
Doors (leading from shipping/receiving to exhibition area) Height: 2.0 m/Width: 1.80 m Separate receiving and loading area Hydraulic lift available Loading area at truck level Crate storage area available Empty crate storage stored on premises, temperature-controlled, pest-controlled Loading area can accommodate any type of truck Loading and unloading personnel available Personnel available for packing Separate storage area available; secured, climate-controlled, and fire alarmed The movement of objects in assured by professional transport company |
| Environment |
Windows in exhibition area: none Air conditioning equipment: steam Temperature and relative humidity in exhibition gallery and storage area: Summer: 20 degrees Celsius, 35% RH Winter: 20 degrees Celsius, 35% RH Variations of temperature and relative humidity in gallery and storage area Summer: 2-5 degrees, +/- 5% RH Winter: 3-5 degrees, +/- 5% RH The records of the hydrothermograph is verified daily and calibrated every month Heating: forced air Heating thermostatically controlled in the exhibition area and by one thermostat in the storage area is controlled and humidistat Smoking is not permitted in exhibition area and surrounding buildings |
| Lighting |
In exhibition area: incandescent Light meter available Light level: maximum 150 lux–according to National Gallery standards Lighting may be obtained at many different preferred levels in separate areas of the exhibition area Electrical outlets: drawn from the walls and the ceiling |
| Insurance |
Covered for burglary and theft, fire, rising waters and water damages, natural disasters Wall to wall coverage (transit) |
| Fire |
Self-activated smoke detection in exhibition area, and heat activated in storage area In-house controlled station panel, in house audible fire alarm Local fire code inspection and testing of portable fire extinguishers assessed quarterly Material of basic structure non-combustible, wood, concrete, building is fire-resistant Type of fire department: volunteer Average respond time of the fire department is of 4 minutes Type of water supply: town Supply of electrical service: 600 volts 3 phase Maximum size of electrical service: 400 amp Emergency system in case of power failure: generator in the main core of the building, not in the exhibition area Sprinklers in the building but not in the exhibition area |
| Security |
The gallery keeps hydrothermographic charts which staff verifies on a regular basis Staffs performs regular verifications of thermostats, humidistats and other air control equipment are on duty 24 hours a day. While open, the gallery employs surveillance staff that oversees the exhibition area and assists the public. Have a trained security supervisor in charge at all times Sound and motion detectors |
| Audio Equipment |
(Technical Assistance available) AM/FM Radio/ Double-Cassette/ CD player Headphones x 5 Laser Disc Player TV/VCR Unit (VHS) Video Cassette Player: 3/4 inch+A39 Video Projection Unit (VPU) Computer Projection Unit (CPU) -includes Computer – Laptop x 2 Video Tape Duplications Transfer 8mm to VHS/Transfer Hi-8 to VHS Super 8mm or 16mm Transferred to VHS Transfer VHS-C Compact to VHS |
| Projection Equipment | Video Projectors x 3, Blu-ray DVD players x 5 |
| Photographic Equipment |
Data Projectors 35mm Camera 8mm Camcorder Hi-8 Camcorder Digital Camera Portable Video Editor Camcorder Battery – NP 55 to NP 98 Camcorder Battery – Lithium (4 hour) Tripod Sound Systems Large/Medium/Small P.A. System Conference Audio Recording System Large/Small Microphone Mixer (4 Mics up to 12 Mics) Microphone (Clip-On Wireless) |
