ARTISTS: be part of one of america's oldest artist cooperatives

Baton Rouge Gallery - center for contemporary art ("BRG") is a professional, non-profit, contemporary art gallery founded in 1966. When it first opened its doors, its 12 artist members represented some of the most respected visual artists in the region. Today, the same is true of its roster of over 75 artist members working in a wide array of media. 

One of the many things that sets BRG apart from other organizations in the region is that its artist membership is endowed with a strong voice in how the organization responds to the changing landscape of contemporary art nationally and locally. Many artistic decisions, including which special exhibitions to host and which artists are invited to join the gallery, are made by the existing artist members. This allows gallery visitors to get a different perspective than they might experience at other major institutions or commercial galleries. 

DETAILS ON APPLYING

application window will open late summer / early fall 2024

 Select BENEFITS OF ARTIST MEMBERSHIP

• Exhibition opportunities within BRG’s 2,800 square foot gallery space, located within BREC's beautiful and historic City Park (1515 Dalrymple Drive).

• Artist members receive 60% of all sales of their work.

• Artist members have the opportunity to help shape the direction of the organization, from assisting in the curation of the artist membership, service on the board of directors, and determining which special exhibitions are hosted at BRG.

• Representation on the gallery's website and the opportunity to have work available for purchase there.

ARTIST MEMBER REQUIREMENTS

• Artist members pay annual dues of $100. Opportunities are presented to offset this cost, presenting artists with the opportunity to pay no annual dues at all. All artist dues go into an artist relief fund to help support all artist members in the event of an emergency.

• Artist members are required to exhibit in a normal month-long exhibition, typically featuring 2- 5 artists at a time, every three (3) years. Participation in person at receptions and gallery talks in addition to hanging and take-down of artwork and other gallery business is required.

• Applicants should be able to prove residency in Louisiana or otherwise explain in an accompanying statement why they are relevant to Louisiana or Baton Rouge and what relationship they have with this place. Once accepted, an artist may maintain their membership in Baton Rouge Gallery if they relocate outside of the region.

• Artist members must submit to a review by the artist membership's Screening Committee every five (5) years in order to retain membership.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE & Eligibility

• Applications for artist membership are reviewed once a year. Applicants will be notified of the Committee’s decision approximately one month after the application deadline.

• Artist member applicants must be at least two years removed from schooling. No student work or work executed under other supervision will be considered and should not be submitted.

• All artists over the age of 18 are eligible to apply for BRG artist membership.

• Baton Rouge Gallery will provide equal opportunity for consideration to all persons who apply for artist membership regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or veteran status. In addition, BRG will provide reasonable accommodations for artists with disabilities.

APPLICATION

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications online via EntryThingy (link for 2023 application coming soon). Completed applications will include:

• Ten to twenty digital images of current work with relevant information. (.jpg format preferred)

• Artist statement. (.pdf or .doc format)

• Artist bio. (.pdf or .doc format)

• Current resume / CV (in .doc or .pdf format) which should include the artist's website address, any relevant employment, professional affiliations, education, exhibition history, awards, honors, fellowships, works in public collections, commission work, publications your work has appeared in, and any other relevant information.

• $5 application processing fee.

• All artists applying are required to deliver two works (in the same condition they would be exhibited in) to the gallery on or before the application deadline which will be returned roughly one month from the application deadline.

EVALUATION

Applicants will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Imagery/content: Should show a fresh and original approach to the subject matter.

• Digital images: The images should be correctly exposed, focused, have color

  clarity, be appropriately cropped (or have a non-distracting background), be

  properly labeled, and accurately represent the qualities of the work of the artist.

• Quality and consistency of craftsmanship.

• Actual Works: The work must be ready to be exhibited: i.e. finished, neat, clean,

  and presented in a manner in keeping with its nature.

• Ability to maintain a consistent conceptual focus within a body of work.

• Quality of presentation regarding resume, digital images, and actual work.

• Professional experience

Still have questions? Email Exhibitions Director Kelsey Livingston

For more information, contact us at:

tel: 225.383.1470

1515 Dalrymple Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808