How to curate a gallery exhibit, last minute & for the 1st time
My easy 40 step process-
Know the dates the gallery needs a show.
Estimate how many pieces you need to fill gallery enough to look decent.
Before volunteering to coordinate the show, put out a Plea for Art to your close art friends to see if they have a piece they can put in show.
If you feel you’re getting enough response, volunteer to put on the show.
Decide dates for show, submission entry deadline, submission acceptance, art drop off, hang and pick up dates.
Google other call for art forms.
Create a google form with your dates, the point of the show and other details you’ve seen on other call for art forms.
Send form out to every local artists you’d like to show work in your exhibit and tell them to spread the word.
Make a Call for Art flyer with a QR code to google form that you can carry around and hand out.
Post call for art on local Facebook groups & use local hashtags on Instagram to call for art on your socials.
Make promo material specifying the opening reception and gallery times.
Add event to your website.
Make a Facebook event with link to your website.
Start promoting exhibit on social media to gain traction.
Decide if there are other people or organizations through which you can promote the exhibit?
Make art exhibit flyers to post in cafes and coffee shops.
Make social media posts featuring the art that will be in the show.
Have your google form automatically populate a spreadsheet so all the artist’s info is together.
Keep an eye on emails to answer questions etc.
Promote opening reception on your socials.
Send an acceptance email on designated date.
Send an email reminder a few days before the art drop day with times and any promo material they can use on their socials.
Plan an extra drop time for artists not able to meet at original time or late comers if you decide you could use a few more pieces.
Meet your artists, some for the 1st time. Make sure their work is labeled on back and hang or display ready.
Make them feel their art will be well taken care of and seen.
Make labels for the artwork using info artists provided on Google form that is now on a spreadsheet.
Hang and display work making sure it is all well lit.
Move pieces around and get overwhelmed that you could keep moving pieces around forever.
Have another set of eyes take a look at the exhibit.
Make tweaks.
Print, cut and hang labels.
Sit back and stare at it feeling pretty proud of yourself for pulling it together.
Take photos and video of the final exhibit to promote on your socials making sure to tag artists involved.
Make an exhibit catalog using the info artists provide on the google form/spreadsheet.
Get ready for an opening reception party.
Meet and greet artists, make introductions, have fun and relax at opening.
Several days before the exhibit’s end email artists thanking them for participating with reminder of art pick-up date.
Save the spreadsheet with emails for next time, to add to your email list etc.
Note what you would change for next time.
Congratulate yourself again because you did it and you feel fucking cool.
