OUR APPLICATIOn for exhibitions is NOW OPEN! SEE APPLICATION LINK BELOW.

WE AIM TO CHAMPION ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AS A GENUINE FORM OF STORYTELLING IN OUR COMMUNITY SPACES.

Holding space for visual art in our public libraries celebrates ideas, elevates personal narratives, and promotes creativity, curiosity and connection.

OUR APPLICATIOn for exhibitions is NOW OPEN!

Applications are monitored as they are submitted. A system-wide application review process occurs yearly through a jury consisting of community artists and library staff members. The formal review process takes place in March. All applications should be submitted by Monday March 4th, 2024 to be considered in the current application cycle. Results will be emailed to applicant by Monday April 29th, 2024.

Madison Public Library utilizes its’ depth of connection and reach within the Madison community to offer opportunities for artists to exhibit work in many of our libraries locations.

WE AIM TO PRIORITIZE…

• working with emerging visual artists and curators,

• providing local artists (WI based) with paid opportunities,

• elevating artists who reflect our diverse communities,

• encouraging artists to speak and create from their own experiences through community engagement,

• facilitating intentional engagement between exhibiting artist(s) and community partners

• welcome collective artistic efforts and emerging curators who develop exhibits with community groups

• exhibiting work that draws people in, stimulates inquiry, and broadens horizons

CURRENT CYCLES AND TIMELINES:

July 2023: MPL Art Application form opens to the public
March 4, 2024: Application deadline
March 4, 2024 - April 29, 2024: Applicants reviewed by a jury consisting of community artists and library staff members
April 29, 2024: Results will be shared with applicants via email

This application cycle will focus on exhibitions between Summer 2024 - Summer 2025.. The duration of each exhibition may vary by location; desired timelines are typically 4 months.

Madison Public Library exhibition opportunities are highly competitive and not all proposals to display will be accepted. Work is chosen based on how it fits with Madison Public Library programming at a particular moment, not on its’ merit alone. In unique circumstances application may be accepted outside of these deadlines if aligned with current Madison Public Library targeted goals and programming. Applications are monitored as they are submitted in order to be flexible within our approach.

ARTIST COMPENSATION FOR EXHIBITION:
We value compensating exhibiting artists and curators. Accepted applicants will receive a stipend to be used in whatever way the artist sees fit.

• Exhibition duration: Typically 4 months
  Timelines within our libraries vary by location.

• Neighborhood library honorarium: $400 for a 4 month exhibition
  The Madison Public Library provides a modest honorarium of $400 for a 4 month solo exhibition by a selected artist exhibiting original art works in our neighborhood library spaces. For shorter or longer exhibitions the artist will be paid at a rate of $100 per the number of months on display.

• Diane Endres Ballweg Gallery honorarium: $800 for a 4 month exhibition

  Due to the square footage and scope of the Diane Endres Ballweg Gallery at Central Library, the Madison Public Library provides a honorarium of $800 for a 4 month solo exhibition. While we do accept applications for solo projects this space is primarily focused on community projects that celebrate community groups and engage the public in new and interesting ways. For shorter or longer exhibitions the artist will be paid at a rate of $200 per the number of months on display.

• Curatorial honorarium and group shows:
  Some exhibitions may represent a number of artists/artist collective or require the skillset of an outside curator. Those exhibitions will be reviewed and contract terms will be determined by library staff upon acceptance.

  
  2024-2025 is our second system-wide cycle of paying exhibiting artists in our public library spaces. These rates are subject to change in the future based on an annual review of equitable payment structures and shifts in funding priorities within Madison Public Library.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH EXHIBITIONS:

Along with exhibiting work within our public library spaces, we encourage the selected artist(s) to plan for 1-3 community engagement opportunities in relation to the show’s theme, medium, and/or maker(s). These community engagement opportunities can take on various forms such as:

• a hands-on workshop for the public,

• an artist talk/panel discussion,

• and/or a community group collaboration.

Experience in community collaboration, teaching, and facilitation is desirable but our Library staff have access and expertise to support the artist(s) in this work. As plans are finalized, artists can expect to receive an additional stipend for things like workshops, events, etc.

QUESTIONS? Feel free to contact Trent Miller, Bubbler Program & Exhibitions Coordinator via email at:

[ tmiller@madisonpubliclibrary.org ]

(If selected for an exhibition artist will work with library staff and use the Art Exhibition Guidelines to prepare for their show.