Open Call

Applications are now closed. Check back in the fall for when they reopen.

About

Local, national, and international artists are invited to apply for inclusion in SPACES public programming. We host experimental projects through supported residencies and exhibitions. We encourage projects that leverage the assets of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, including unique opportunities for display within the public realm. 

SPACES offers fully supported residency and exhibition opportunities designed to foster the exchange of ideas between audiences in Northeast Ohio and artists from around the world. We invite artists, curators, and other cultural producers to articulate their investigation of ideas that may take the form of a residency and resulting exhibition, solo exhibition, curated group show, or collaborative endeavor. Please tell us what you need to support your vision.

SPACES supports cultural producers by connecting them with resources, support, and communities. SPACES provides a platform for a public presentation, staff expertise, access to art production facilities, and other exhibition-related support. 

• Artist honoraria
• Travel to/from Cleveland
• Shipping support
• Housing 
• Studio space 
• Materials + production budget
• Documentation

Introductions to curators, artists, collectors, and community members living in and visiting Cleveland’s vibrant arts world.

Artists may be invited to take part in a group exhibition or collaborative opportunity even when one was not proposed and in that case, they have the option to participate. Artists not selected in one programming year are strongly encouraged to reapply.

More About SPACES Residency & Exhibition Selection Process

ELIGIBILITY This call for proposals is open to artists, curators, and cultural producers who are 21 years and older. We accept applications from creative professionals at all stages of their careers who engage experimental practices with strong conceptual foundations. Selected artists cannot be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree granting prognrams during the 2021 program year.

SPACES prides itself on an ADA compliant building, with space for individuals and families alike. We will work with selected artists to find a residency plan that works for them.

EVALUATION Applications are reviewed once each year. They are evaluated by a selections committee of artists, community members, board members, and SPACES staff living and working within and outside of Cleveland. The selections committee members change yearly.

Applications are scored based on compatibility with SPACES programming goals, demonstrated organizational and/or conceptual rigor, clarity of proposed methods, and quality of past work samples. Select applicants will be invited to participate in a skype or other video interview and finalists will be asked to confirm their availability. 

PROGRAMMING OBJECTIVES SPACES is a resource and public forum for artists explore and experiment. Below are some of our programming objectives: 

• Supporting bold and timely projects, new commissions 
• Providing opportunities that cannot be found elsewhere
• Supporting work that could not be made elsewhere
• Considering and supporting diverse perspectives
• Presenting work that is challenging, complicated, or not easily summarized
• Expanding gallery viewership and/or public engagement
• Working with artists that consider new projects, new techniques, or new directions in their practices
• Making use of the resources, connections, and unique assets of NE Ohio