RFP Release Date: Friday, April 4, 2025

Submission Deadline: Friday, May 16, 2025

Curators Notified by: Friday, June 6, 2025

Description

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) invites six emerging and midcareer visual arts curators to apply for the second cycle of Visual Voices, a three-year fellowship (2025-2027). While all New York City-based curators may apply, priority will be given to Queens-based BIIPOC curators.

Beginning in mid-2025, the fellows of the second cycle will receive comprehensive institutional support to curate at least 12 exhibitions at JCAL and partner sites through 2027. Exhibitions can feature a wide range of artistic practices and explore themes reflective of the BIIPOC experience in Queens and New York City. Through Visual Voices, curators identify and cultivate emerging talent; vet artist submissions; articulate the overall design aesthetics of exhibitions; coordinate transportation and collect and track artwork; oversee installation, deinstallation, and related tasks; collaborate with the JCAL artistic and administrative staff; and help to maintain upkeep of galleries during exhibitions and interim periods.

By managing exhibitions from end-to-end and producing an exhibition publication, Fellows receive the practical experience to launch and/or advance their curatorial career. Advised by a mentor hired specifically for the program, fellows network across NYC, learn curatorial best practices, and receive coaching on public speaking.

Too many NYC curatorial opportunities privilege those with established careers or financial independence. Each Visual Voices curator earns $4000 per exhibition.

Highlights from the first cycle of Visual Voices include Jamaica-based curator Shenna Vaughn’s curated gallery at JFK’s Terminal 8, and Adrian Bermeo’s show featuring visual interpretations of ancestral music. Exhibition themes also included Black resilience through an Afrofuturist lens; youth gun violence prevention; and music and visual art in the African, Latine, and Caribbean diasporas.

JCAL welcomes proposals from curators of all races, colors, religions, languages, gender identities, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, disabilities, socio-economic status, marital status, and all other differences.

Request for Proposals:

Visual Arts Curators

One proposal per curator will be accepted. A complete proposal will include all the elements detailed below. Maximum size is 100MB per file.

Applicant Eligibility

· Must be a current resident of New York City. Queens curators receive priority.

· Must be at least 18 years of age.

· Must demonstrate a minimum of one year experience (either 12 consecutive months in a particular role or by cumulative experiences and projects) working in a professional curatorial capacity in visual arts.

Proposal Requirements:

Cover Letter

Provide a one-page cover letter (with name, snail/email address, phone number) explaining your interest in Visual Voices, and how your work as a curator will benefit from this program.

Curatorial Statement

Provide a statement of no more than 500 words in which you detail your curatorial journey.

CV/Resume

Provide a CV (if appropriate) or professional resume.

Curatorial Portfolio

Submit images of previous projects, exhibitions or artworks. Up to 10 high-quality images may be submitted.

About JCAL

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), founded in 1972, is a multidisciplinary arts center based in the diverse community of Southeast Queens. Our mission is devoted to offering quality visual and performing arts, and to providing accessible education programs to encourage participation in the arts. For additional information, visit www.JCAL.org.

 2025 Making Moves Dance Festival
RFP
 

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) is pleased to open its application portal for the 16th Annual Making Moves Dance Festival (MMDF2025).

MMDF2025 will present commissions by and performances from up to nine choreographers. MMDF2025 runs at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (153-10 Jamaica Avenue) from Friday to Sunday, September 19 to 21, 2025. All choreographers, dance artists, and companies working in any genre—including, but not limited to, modern, contemporary, African, ballet, ballroom, folk, hip hop, jazz, and social-dance influence (e.g., vogue, house, waacking)—are encouraged to apply; bold ideas are especially welcome. Early submission is encouraged; the submission deadline is Friday, May 16, 2025, 6 pm.

MMDF2025 offers opportunities for choreographers and dance companies as follows:

· Major Commission: Two professional choreographers will receive a $3000 commission to create a new, 30-minute work to be presented at JPAC. Artists will be selected through an in-person audition/interview after a video submission. Commissioned choreographers will receive up to 80 hours of free rehearsal space at JCAL (space permitting). Commissioned choreographers will provide dancers, costumes, props, etc., out of commissioned funds (no solos or duets).

· Emerging Artists: Up to three professional emerging choreographers will receive a $1250 stipend to present a 15-minute piece at JPAC. Applicants must provide a record of accomplishment of public performances, commit time to the choreographic process, and highlight their creative concepts in their submissions.

· Early-Career Artists: Up to four early-career professional choreographers and/or groups will receive a $750 stipend to present a 10-minute piece at JPAC; pre-existing work is preferred. Applicants must provide a record of accomplishment of public performances, commit time to the choreographic process, and highlight their creative concepts in their submissions.

MMDF2025 applicants will be selected by a jury of cultural leaders representing the diversity of NYC’s dance community; the jury will be chaired by JCAL Artistic Director Courtney Ffrench.

Applicants will be selected based on the strength of submitted work samples, clarity of choreographic vision, ability to communicate their commitment to purpose, aesthetics, and technique, an artist statement, evidence of training pertinent to the work, and a documented track record of artistic activity in NYC. Calls of inquiry regarding the status of an application will not be returned.

MMDF2025 applicants may be considered for multiple opportunities but can only be awarded in one category. Selected artists may request up to six hours of rehearsal space at JCAL/JPAC the week before MMDF2025, plus one dress and one tech rehearsal directly on the JPAC stage.

MMDF2025 applicants must be at least 18 years old, residents of NYC as of the application deadline, and have previously presented work in a public setting. Queens residents receive preference for all opportunities.

• Scoring will be based on technique, intent, storytelling, and presentation.
• A minimum of 3 minutes of straight video footage per work sample is required. Work samples should be no more than 3 years old. No reels or trailers, no edits, or cuts.
• If you send a long work sample, please timestamp length for viewing, 3 minutes max (your best 3 minutes).
• Maximum 3 work samples.
• Submit work samples as online links (YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive) in a PDF. If samples are password protected and a password is not given, the application will be disqualified.
• Cover letter, resume, contact information, and work proposal are required.

Application deadline: Friday, May 16, 2025, 6 pm.

Selected artists notified: Monday, June 2, 2025.

For questions about the application, please contact Program Associate David Smith, Dsmith@jcal.org.

MMDF 2025 is supported by the Mellon Foundation, Mertz Gilmore Foundation, and Harkness Foundation for Dance, with additional support from New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and general operating support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

About JCAL

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), founded in 1972, is a multidisciplinary arts center based in the diverse community of Southeast Queens. Our mission is devoted to offering quality visual and performing arts and to providing accessible education programs to encourage participation in the arts. JCAL is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm; closed Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays. For additional information, call JCAL at 718-658-7400 or visit www.JCAL.org.