GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSALS AND EXHIBITS

Statement of Purpose:
The Interchurch Center is a nineteen story, non-profit office building, located on the Upper West side of Manhattan. Columbia University, Barnard, Teachers College, Union Theological Seminary, and Riverside Church are a few of its neighbors. Tenant organizations range from major religious denomination headquarters such as The National Council of Churches to small foundations and socially committed service Organizations to several administrative offices of Columbia University.

The two exhibit spaces are located on the main floor of the building with easy access to the public and completely accessible to the handicapped. The Treasure Room Gallery is a 2,000 square foot exhibit space with professional display and lighting systems. The Corridor Cases are a series of twenty large, self lighted display cases, built in the marble walls lining the main floor corridors. Each case is approximately 36" wide by 46" high. Eight of these are eighteen inches deep to accommodate three dimensional work. A diverse selection of fine arts and crafts are exhibited on a ten month, four week rotating basis during the year.

General Procedure:
Proposals are accepted throughout the year and can be mailed or delivered to the above address. Applicants are asked to submit materials according to the attached checklist; group exhibitions must have one person responsible for organizing the proposal. The Panel on Exhibits meet five times annually to review and select exhibits. There is usually a two year schedule in place. A $50.00 installation fee is required upon receipt of the acceptance letter, the artist or artists are also responsible for related exhibition expenses such as publicity and receptions.

A descriptive catalogue is prepared for each exhibitor, including a list of the works, artist's statement and biography. Each exhibiting artist is listed in the Gallery Guide of New York at no charge to the artist. A Cultural Arts Brochure is published and distributed three times a year.

Review:
Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Quality of artists' work as demonstrated by the visual documentation submitted.
2. Coherence in the exhibition's concept and theme made through the artist statement.
3. Quality, innovation, and timeliness of proposed exhibition.
4. Appropriateness and adequacy of facilities and equipment at The Interchurch Center.

Additional Information:
The Lobby and Treasure Room Galleries are open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed on weekends and holidays. There is no admission charge.

Upon approval of the proposal, a written invitation will be sent to the artist specifying the dates--available for the exhibit, the delivery and removal dates and the exhibit location (Treasure Room--Gallery, Lobby or both). The artist or group representative should acknowledge an acceptance in writing . An installation fee of $50.00 should be sent to the Center at that time to secure the date. This is a non-refundable fee and will only be returned if the artist or group give a two month advance notice of any cancellations.

All exhibits are installed by the Interchurch Center Exhibits Designer, Dorothy Cochran. The artist is not to be present when the exhibit is in process of installation. The final choice of works to be displayed rests with the Exhibits Designer and the Chairperson of the Exhibits Panel. When the exhibit has been scheduled, the artist or coordinator should call the Exhibits Designer, Ms. Dorothy Cochran at (212) 870-2933.

Exhibit material must be delivered on the morning of the date specified in the acceptance letter or at a previously arranged time. Installation must occur within the designated time frame. At this time the artist will have an opportunity to discuss ideas with the Exhibits Designer. In the case of group shows, a representative of the group must be present to receive the works.

A typed list of all items to be exhibited should be presented at delivery or before if possible. This inventory should include: the title, the medium, size or other appropriate description, sale prices or a valuation for insurance purposes for not for sale works. The numbers on this list should be used as identification on each piece and attached to the back on the upper right corner. The inventory will be checked by the Exhibits Designer before any exhibits are accepted.

If the total valuation of the entire show exceeds $50,000, it will be necessary for the artist or group to arrange for additional insurance coverage on their own.

All work should be submitted ready for display. All photos and works on paper should be properly matted. Mats must be neatly cut (minimum of 3" border), white or neutral in color, clean and with undamaged corners. All framed works should be wired securely and ready for hanging.

Sculptors should consult with the Exhibits Designer, as there are a limited number of sculpture stands and plexi glass covers available.

There are no storage facilities. The artist is asked to remove packing materials and any items not included in the exhibit at the time delivery or by reception date.

The artist is responsible for the packing and removal of the work on the first business day following the close of the exhibit. The Interchurch Center will not be responsible for work left beyond the agreed date. When group shows are taken down, a representative of the group should be present to supervise pick-up.

The Interchurch Center will prepare a single-sheet catalogue of descriptive material supplied by the artist. It is suggested that the exhibitor submit a statement which clearly describes the theme of the work and/or the process used, along with label information, a resume or biographical sketch and color photographs of the exhibited works at least 3 weeks before the delivery of the exhibit. Title of exhibit, final exhibit dates including reception date will be needed two months in advance for publication in The Art Now, Gallery Guide. A black and white or color photograph of a piece that will be in the exhibit should also be included for catalogue and publicity purposes. Send all materials to Dorothy Cochran, Exhibits Designer and Art Consultant, The Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive, Room #253, New York, NY 10115. There will be an article prepared for an in-house newsletter and local publicity.

Other promotional materials are the responsibility of the artist. We encourage the exhibitor to consider having a publicity release, exhibition announcement, mailing list, etc. These promotional materials, however, are the responsibility of the artist and are done at the artist's expense. A copy of the layout and wording should be submitted for final approval by The Interchurch Center before printing is contracted.

All sales inquiries will be referred to the artist. A suggested donation of 20% is recommended if works on exhibit are sold.

The artist may have a reception in connection with the exhibit, either in the Riverside Lobby (adjacent to the Treasure Room Gallery) or in the main floor lounge. Arrangements should be made with Ms. Cochran who will schedule the event. The artist may contract with the Center's food service (212)-870-2449 - Mary Spague) for catering of refreshments or may supply his/her own if desired. Please note that wine may be served after business hours (4:30 p.m.).

Exhibits may not be photographed or video taped except with the consent of the artist and of the Center. The display of the exhibit cannot be changed for photographing. Arrangements for photography must be made with The Interchurch Center Office or Ms. Cochran.

During the artist's exhibition, selections of the work and related materials will be shown on the building web site www.interchurch-center.org.

No work may be removed from the exhibit or rearranged for any reason while the show is in progress. Sold works will be released at the end of the exhibition.

Please note that special circumstances occasionally require a shift in the exhibition scheduling. The artist or group will be notified in writing with as much advance warning as possible when such situations occur.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR GROUP EXHIBITIONS:

Group exhibitions must be delivered to The Interchurch Center at one time; this requires that individual artists assemble their work at another location. One or more representatives of the group will be present when the work is delivered to assist with inventory.

Each delivered work will have a label listing the artist's name, title, medium, size, price and insurance valuation and an address and phone number where the artist can be reached. It is the responsibility of the group to provide a typed Inventory list of the above information to be used as the checklist of the exhibition. Each work should be given the proper number from this list and be written on the upper right hand corner of the exhibited work.

Return of the exhibit will be done at one time to an individual or a group of individuals from the exhibiting organization. There will be no responsibility or storage of the work after the removal date of the exhibition. No individual deliveries or pick-ups will be arranged.

There is a $50.00, non-refundable installation fee for all group exhibitions. This is paid at the time of accepting the exhibition commitment.

All other policies that apply to individuals will also apply to groups.

PLEASE READ THESE GUIDELINES CAREFULLY.