Submission Details
When we invite artists to work at the Garage, we offer them our curatorial and installation expertise, help working through conceptual and material roadblocks, and an 800 sf finished space with its adjoining property and very few limitations. Sometimes we have to veto ideas (no… let’s not put a 4 ft hole through the roof) but we’re great at spit-balling until those ideas meet reality (let’s put half that sculpture on the roof, and the other half inside at the ceiling so it looks like it’s piercing the ceiling). Here are some Floor Plan & Pics to get you started.
We offer a lengthy installation time (usually 3-4 weeks) so artists can dive deeply into a concept and still have time to resolve the project after the usual rounds of emotional breakdown and epiphany. (We’ve both been there). We love artists, and the unpredictability of the creative process, so we enjoy lending our years of experience to help y’all through that journey. Plus we usually break out the coffee and snacks when we’re getting in deep talking about your work and how well it’s presenting in the space. We have a chill and supportive atmosphere, focused on helping artists realize their ideas, and upping their game when there’s room for it. There’s also a spare room for naps and crashing after a late night, and we host receptions for your work that attract a friendly and loyal group of supporters.
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Please be aware, we get lots of proposals, but are only able to host a handful of artists each year. To that end, please don’t waste your valuable studio time putting together a whole package (CV/Artist Statement, etc) if you don’t already have them ready to go. Being cognizant of the amount of time we and artists spend on introductory pitches, we base our initial review on the short list below.
Any combination of images or videos that best communicates your work (a website, social media, zip file, etc.). We use these to vet artists for a demonstrable history of making compelling, well-resolved art of any medium and any subject matter within the contemporary art context. This helps us be confident that you know how to work through challenges in uncharted projects and still come out the other side with a compelling piece.
A brief project proposal (no more than 250 words). Strip it down for us, be concise. Sketches/example pics are fine to add if they help to convey your idea to complete strangers. This idea need not be set in stone or 100% fleshed out. We’re ok with mystery. We use this to decide whether your project is a good fit for TGTG. We prefer to focus on work that might have a hard time finding an outlet at the many other galleries around town. However, if you’re truly energized by an idea - any idea - we’d love to hear about it.
Your preferred contact information. If your work makes sense at TGTG, your studio practice has been fruitful in the past, and there’s space on the calendar to host your show, then our next step is to contact you for an initial conversation. We don’t want or need a presentation for this convo, we just want to chat with you about your idea to get a better understanding of where you’re coming from and where you’re trying to go. Within a short time after that chat, we’ll contact you to let you know whether we can offer you a spot.
Send those items to thegarageonthegrove@gmail.com