SUBMISSIONS

Our programming committee meets monthly to review proposals. Accepted proposals are generally presented 6-18 months after the date of acceptance. For more information on past programming at The Lab, please see our list of past events.

Curators, solo artists, and collaborators are encouraged to apply to the following:

Main gallery space: The Lab accepts visual art, performance, literary, new media, and interdisciplinary proposals on an on-going basis. In particular, The Lab seeks proposals of new work that fully considers our space or engages with the space in a nontraditional manner. We strongly prefer to present new work that has not been shown elsewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area; exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis. The gallery is 2,100 square feet. Chairs, risers, stages, moveable walls, and additional materials are available. The maximum seated capacity is 100.

Front gallery space: The Lab primarily accepts solo artists for our front gallery space although small group submissions or collaborations will be considered. The space is approximately 123 sq feet.

Single-channel video proposals: The Lab accepts submissions for our (4x4) ticket-booth closet adjoining entry hall to the Lab. Currently we only have the ability to exhibit DVD works in this space.

Curatorial proposals: The Lab accepts submissions from curators for group exhibitions, collaborative works, and performance series. A curator's own artwork should not be included in the project proposal. If accepted, The Lab encourages curators to post an open call for entries on The Lab's website, although this is not required.

Residencies: Solo visual artists/performers or collaborators may apply for residencies at The Lab. The Lab offers 2 performance residencies per year and welcomes submissions from local, national, and international artists for visual and new media residencies on an ongoing basis. The Lab offers artists an extended workspace for 2-4 weeks to create new work; the length of time depends on the scope of your project. Residents are encouraged to engage the community with public events such as workshops or panel discussions. If you are applying for a Lab residency, please clearly state the requested duration of the residency, address the potential for community engagement, and submit a full budget (if applicable) along with the regular application (instructions stated below).

Download a pdf of the gallery floorplan here: icon Floorplan (316.56 kB)

How to apply:

Guidelines
Please consider our mission statement when sending a proposal to The Lab: The Lab is an interdisciplinary arts organization which supports the development and presentation of new visual, performing, media, sonic, and literary art. We assist artists in the creation of new work and showcase work of the highest quality by emerging and underrepresented experimental artists. Of particular interest is work which crosses boundaries, encourages evolving artistic and social dialogue between artists and audiences, and develops the culture and community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Please include the following items that will help the committee understand more about you, your work, and your proposal for The Lab:

Required Materials:

-Project Description (Please send one hard copy and one soft copy, either a pdf or a Word file on CD-ROM. Limit to one page) that addresses the following questions:

*What are the specifics of your proposal?

*Which space are you applying to (Main Gallery, Front Gallery, or Ticket Booth?) Please describe how you would use The Lab's space to enhance your project. How would you engage/utilize this space?

*What kind of resources do you need to complete and install your work?

*What kind of events do you envision being programmed with your project/work, if any?

*How would working with The Lab further your artistic goals?

*Has or will this work, or similar work, been shown elsewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area? If so, please indicate when and where.

-Resume (Please send one hard copy and one soft copy, either a pdf or Word file on CD-ROM)

-A self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with sufficient postage for the return of materials. The Lab will make every attempt to safeguard submitted materials, but cannot be responsible for loss or damage. Never send master slides or tapes.

-Optional: Announcements, flyers, postcards from previous engagements or exhibitions (up to 3)

-Optional: Published reviews (up to 3)

Work Samples:

-CDROM:
Include a one page corresponding list of information including: title of work, dimensions, medium, and year. Limit the number of images to 10. Keep image file sizes to a minimum, preferably under 1 MB. Suggested formatting is 72 dpi, maximum height of 600 pixels, maximum width of 800 pixels. Acceptable image formats are JPG, GIF and PNG. When presenting images embedded in a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF document, please be sure the overall file size is small enough to launch and view quickly. As our office uses only Macintosh, we recommend that you preview your digital presentation materials on a Macintosh before submitting.

-VHS, DVD, or Audio CD:
Cue a 5-minute video segment highlighting your recent work. Label all materials with your name and project title.

-Literature:
Four copies of representative work printed on plain paper is preferred to entire books or chapbooks. Do not send precious items that can be damaged or soiled.

*Please print and attach the following checklist with your proposal: icon checklist (505.67 kB)

Send materials to:
Attn: Programming Committee
The Lab
2948 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103