CUE’s annual open call provides emerging and underrepresented artists and curators the opportunity and necessary resources to realize an exhibition at CUE’s storefront gallery space on West 25th Street in Manhattan, New York City.

Each year, the open call awards three opportunities for solo exhibitions and one opportunity to organize a curatorial group show at CUE. Awardees are each paired with a mentor, an established artist or curator who works with them throughout the process of planning and installing the exhibition. CUE provides a generous honorarium to each awardee, as well as a budget for transport of artwork and materials for on-site installation of the works in the show. CUE staff also provides guidance on project conceptualization and exhibition design in our space, communication and outreach support, identity and graphic design development, photography and visual assets, professional development assistance, and more.

Additionally, for each show, CUE produces an accompanying exhibition catalogue with a long-form essay developed through our Art Critic Mentorship Program, written by an independent emerging writer. The catalogue also contains artist and mentor statements, bios, and images of the work.