Deadlines: February 28th & August 31st (Every Year)

About the Program

PEC (Program for Emerging Curators) is an opportunity for emerging curators to undertake the challenge of presenting a show in a non-profit art gallery in New York. The Ise Cultural Foundation gallery will select proposals submitted by curators. From these proposals, we will ask a number of curators to submit site-specific proposals for the coming year.

PEC is a program designed to encourage innovative and experimental projects by emerging curators. Curators selected through the program will make proposals, specifically for the gallery space, and ultimately, present their exhibit in the Ise Cultural Foundation gallery space in Soho. Curators are encouraged to utilize the physical and psychological nature of the gallery. Previous experience of working with non-profit organizations is not essential for selection in this program.

How it Happens

Step 1
The Ise Cultural Foundation will select a number of submissions to develop formal proposals specifically for the gallery space. The first step will be selected on the basis of materials submitted (see What to Submit).

Step 2
Site-specific Proposals
The selected curators will each create a formal proposal, specifically for the gallery space. Based on the floor plan that will be distributed to the selected curators, they are to develop their exhibition installation plan by selecting specific artworks to be used and prepare a maquette.

Step 3
Final Curator Selection
The selected curators will present their final proposals to Ise Cultural Foundation. We will select up to 2 projects. Those curators selected to show their exhibit would receive up to $2,000 for the exhibit.

Step 4
PEC exhibitions
The selected exhibits will be shown the following year, either in the fall or winter of 2009. The shows will be exhibited for up to two months each.

What to Submit

Materials to submit for Step 1;
1. A brief statement/concept for the exhibit (no more than 300 typewritten words). This statement/concept will be considered as an indication of the direction your exhibition might take should you be selected.

2. Current resume, including name, address, telephone number, and email address for the curator and each artist.

3. A brief artist statement for each artist(no more than 300 typewritten words each).

4. Curators will submit artwork images in the following format:

SLIDES)
35mm slides each of recent and/or current work of artists who are considered for the exhibit, in a clear plastic slide sheet. The works must be the actual work to be displayed in the exhibit or similar. Each slide must be clearly labeled with the artista??s name(s), title, date, media, dimensions, and the TOP indicated. Please include a slide description sheet with corresponding numbers. Larger format transparencies, photographs, and drawings will not be considered. Do not submit original work. OR

CD)
Digital images of the artist saved to one CD. The works must be the actual work to be displayed in the exhibit or similar. We will only accept JPG file formats. Be sure that each JPG name contains the work title. A description sheet should list the artist's name(s), titles, dates, media, and dimensions. Please include a match print for each JPG, printed on regular paper.
OR

VHS/DVD)
VHS videotape or DVD. The Ise Cultural Foundation will review the first three minutes of your submission. Clearly mark the outside of the tape or DVD with the artist's name and title(s) of the work(s).

5. A reference letter from a person involved in the art field.

6. A self-addressed stamped envelope large enough to return submitted materials containing the correct amount of postage (stamps only, no postage meter strips). Submissions without S.A.S.E. will not be returned.

Materials to submit for Step 2
Site specific proposals (specific info will be distributed to those who are contacted from Ise Cultural Foundation to submit step 2)

When and Where to Submit Materials

Materials must be received at the Ise Cultural Foundation gallery by the deadline. Hand deliveries will be accepted.

Please mail application materials to:

Ise Cultural Foundation
PEC Program
555 Broadway, New York, New York 10012

If you have any questions please call Ise Cultural Foundation at (212) 925-1649.

The fine print: While every effort will be made to ensure the safe handling of all submitted materials, Ise Cultural Foundation cannot be responsible for any loss or damage. It is at the foundation's sole discretion to make the final decision of selection.