The Oak Park Art League invites proposals from emerging curators for our third annual Emerging Curator Exhibition—
a program designed to support and showcase curatorial talent while bringing fresh perspectives to our community.

This opportunity provides emerging curators with professional exhibition experience and platform to realize their curatorial vision within an established arts community.

The selected curator will:

• Develop and execute a complete exhibition concept

• Issue an open call for artists that invites and considers OPAL members

• Select participating artists and artworks

• Plan and oversee all installation details

• Coordinate opening reception and programming

• Manage exhibition timeline and logistics

We seek proposals that:

• Demonstrate innovative curatorial vision

• Engage meaningfully with contemporary art discourse

• Consider our community context and gallery space

• Present a clear, feasible execution plan

• Include OPAL members in the curatorial call for artists

• Exhibition dates: August 7 – September 6, 2026

• Opening reception: Saturday Aug 8, 1-4pm

Financial Details: A rental fee of $1,000 is due to the Oak Park Art League upon curator selection to support gallery operations and programming costs. Grant funding may be available to subsidize this fee or an exhibition fee may be required by each artist participating in the exhibition. These are suggestions but the curator is ultimately responsible for sourcing the funds to rent the gallery space.

Proposal Requirements:

• Curatorial statement and exhibition concept (500 words max)

• Timeline and installation plan

• Preliminary artist list or selection criteria

• Curator bio and relevant experience

Submit proposals here