Call for Proposals 2021

The Union of Maine Visual Artists is asking Maine artists to submit proposals for our 2021 Calendar year exhibitions to take place at our UMVA Gallery located in Portland, and/or potentially online.

There are some peculiarities in our  current planning, based on the impact and anticipated problems of the Covid19 pandemic. Some of our 2020 calendar has been significantly disrupted, and so some 2020 shows will be rescheduled for 2021. The logistics of using the gallery space may also be impacted, so please be aware of how you may have to manage the exhibition process in the current and future situation.

That said, we are looking forward to another inspiring and exciting gallery season! Details of how the calendar selection typically works include these: The voting for exhibits includes those UMVA Members who show up to vote, either in person at the Portland Gallery, or in online meetings, which will take place in the fall of this year. We use a loose system of ranking for prioritizing exhibits, and use such factors as relevance, depth of artistic experience and practice, and perceived ability to successfully mount an exhibit. Because of the limits  for 2021 imposed by the chaos of 2020, group exhibitions may be favored. A strong proposal may include these and other, perhaps subjective or unquantifiable, characteristics. 

We hope you join us as we prepare to make the UMVA 2021 Gallery Season a big fat success!

2021 UMVA Gallery at PMC Call for Proposals

The UMVA Gallery at PMC (Portland Media Center) accepts proposals to exhibit work from all visual artists and curators. The UMVA Portland Chapter executive board and its membership seek to exhibit artists from diverse ages and backgrounds. We particularly encourage young and immigrant artists living in Maine to propose and exhibit fresh and dynamic work. Exhibits of more than one artist are encouraged. We schedule monthly exhibitions throughout the year.

The UMVA Gallery at PMC exhibits works of individual artists, juried shows by guest curators and open exhibits of its members' work. Located in the heart of the “arts district” on Congress Street, our gallery offers ample space for visual artists and curators with the energy and quality of work to have an impact in Portland's art scene.

It is advisable for the Exhibitor (Artist/Curator/Coordinator) to visit the gallery space to see the layout and amount of wall space available. All wall-hung types of artworks can be accommodated. Free-standing sculpture must be positioned against a gallery wall (Fire Code). UMVA does not have sculpture plinths and equipment for video art would have to be supplied by the proposed exhibit’s Curator/Coordinator.

Each exhibitor will be required to attend a Gallery Orientation to learn about the process of exhibiting in the PMC space, and will be expected to sign a contract with the PMC for the use of the space. Gallery Orientation for the 2021 calendar year will likely be scheduled for November or December, and may be an online meeting.

The presence and surge of Covid-19 in the U.S. has forced the UMVA Gallery to postpone a few 2020 shows to 2021. Two shows have been shifted to later in the 2020 year. The Summer Members' Show (June) is an online exhibition, and the September show will be as well. PMC has developed new protocols to minimize the number and interaction of visitors on its premises. In light of these developments, it is possible, if not likely, that gallery receptions for exhibitions in 2021 will not occur and that attendance for the shows will be limited. With these conditions in place the UMVA Gallery at PMC welcomes proposals for 2021.

Note: Since the UMVA Portland Chapter is funded only by its members annual dues, it does not have the financial resources to underwrite any artist or curator's exhibit. Of course, in exceptional cases, the UMVA Portland Chapter may assist the artist or curator in finding needed financial support. In the past, the UMVA has been able to reimburse some specific limited expenses related to publicity, though this is subject to change (see step 1, below).

All requested materials for proposals must be received by September 30^th for the 2021 Calendar Year and can be submitted via email to: Arthur Nichols – singingcove@gmail.com

Note: Incomplete proposals cannot be reviewed.

Please follow the steps enumerated below for your submission.  We suggest you either copy and paste the application into a word doc, or email  singingcove@gmail.com       

2021 UMVA Gallery Submission Form

Exhibitor's name(s)) Name: _________________________________________________________

Exhibitor's Contact Info: ____________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Proposed Exhibition Title: __________________________________________________________

Is this a solo exhibition? _____                    Are you the Exhibition “Curator” who will:

____ Select from the submissions those artworks to be exhibited;

____ The roster of artists to be exhibited is pre-determined; and facilitate the exhibition installation? Or,

Are you the exhibition “Coordinator” who will accept all submissions and facilitate exhibition installation? _____

Exhibition Proposal Information and Review Process:

1. Submission of a one-page description of the proposed exhibit accompanied by 5 digital images. The proposal should also indicate preferred month for exhibiting as well as curatorial and publicity plans for presenting and publicizing the exhibit (specific curatorial and adequate publicity plans enhance the success of the proposal). UMVA Gallery at PMC can provide press release samples and press contacts. In addition, UMVA offers a $150 reimbursement for receipted expenses related to posters and publicity.

2. Presentation of the proposal at the October monthly meeting. Contact UMVA Portland Chapter to arrange the date and time of the proposal presentation.

3. Attendance at the UMVA Portland Chapter meeting the month prior to the exhibit, during the month of the exhibit and the month following the exhibit: this facilitates ongoing evaluation of the Gallery's exhibits. In addition, Exhibitor(s) must attend a Gallery Orientation and sign an individual contract of understanding with PMC. The Gallery Orientation will be scheduled for late fall of the year preceding your exhibition.

4. Arrangement for hanging and taking down the show.

5. Arrangement for light food and beverages for the exhibit opening, based on PMC guidelines.

6. Provision of a brief report or commentary on the exhibit, the space and other matters to be submitted in writing at the monthly meeting following the exhibit.

7. The Curator/Coordinator is responsible for the arrangement of the schedule for sitting the exhibit during hours the Gallery is open. The details for how the gallery-sitting process will work will be included in the Orientation.

8. The UMVA Portland Chapter will share the exhibit proposal with its membership and reply by email after the selection process is completed. If a proposed exhibit is accepted, the exhibitor is expected to be/become a member of the UMVA and agree to share 25% of the exhibit sales with UMVA Portland Chapter.

9. Send completed proposal to Arthur Nichols, singingcove@mail.com, by September 30, 2020.

Note: UMVA is not liable for damage or theft of artworks and curators and artists are invited to insure their own work if desired. Keys, security details and other PMC requirements will be presented as part of the Orientation.