I CAN’T BREATHE:
Juried by Mary Patten and Romi Crawford, Phd.
Informational Prospectus and Call for Entries
Submit Now!
ARC GALLERY AND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION is a non-profit, woman-run cooperative gallery
dedicated to providing alternative space exhibition opportunities for innovative artists outside the commercial
gallery system. Since 1973, ARC has given exposure and support to both men and women artists, providing an
atmosphere for the continued development of artistic potential and experimentation.
In late November/December 2015, ARC will present the Exhibition "I Can’t Breathe"
Having endured a year in which video after video has appeared, showing shocking violence by police against
unarmed citizens, ARC wants to begin a conversation about these events. The videos have forced all of us to
address its ignorance and denial, as well as to ask even bigger questions about the nature of institutionalized
racism.
ARC is a gallery long dedicated to honoring the creative voices of people lacking other avenues of expression.
Because this discussion was initiated in part by the appearance of uniquely powerful visual documentation,
ARC has embraced the opportunity to mount an exhibition entitled “I Can’t Breathe”. This exhibition will build
upon the visual narratives that have troubled, empowered, enlightened, or enraged us over these past months.
Believing that all voices are valuable as we learn to listen to each other, this juried show is open to anyone who
wishes to apply regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, political identification, artistic background, or ability to
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pay. Work in all media, including written word and spoken word, that addresses the phrase “I Can’t Breathe”
will be considered. ARC is looking for work that evokes what it feels like to find oneself targeted, in a
suffocating space, or unheard. This also includes work that addresses how one might imagine that grip to be
loosened, or what it might look like to begin to listen.
ARC is a not-for-profit gallery and usually it asks for an entry fee of $40 for three works upon submission to a
show. However, for this important exhibition, ARC hopes to expand the conversation to include anyone who is
directly impacted by police and other institutionalized violence. Instead, ARC is asking for a suggested
donation by those who feel they can contribute anything to what it hopes will be a very powerful exhibition.
ARC is therefore waiving the entry fee for anyone who would not otherwise have participated in this show.
Support for this exhibition is important; so donate what you feel you can!
JURORS: Mary Patten and Romi Crawford, Phd.
Romi Crawford, Ph.D. is Associate Professor in Visual and Critical Studies and Liberal Arts at SAIC. Her
research revolves primarily around formations of political, racial, and gendered identity and the relation to
American visual arts, film, and popular culture. She was previously the Curator and Director of Education and
Public Programs at the Studio Museum in Harlem; and serves on the Boards of Chicago Film Archives and
Black Cinema House.
Mary Patten is a visual artist, writer, educator, occasional curator, and political activist. She works
collaboratively with Chicago Torture Justice Memorials and Feel Tank Chicago, and teaches at the School of
the Art Institute of Chicago.
Please read the sections on Submission Requirements / How to Submit Work, and Acceptance Requirements before
beginning submission process.
Calendar, Eligibility and Fees
CALENDAR: All dates are 2015
Deadline for Submission of Applications: Saturday, October 10, 11:59 PM
Announcements no later than Saturday October 24, 2015
Work Delivery: Wed. Nov, 18, 2015 – Sat. Nov. 21, 2015 from 12-6pm only (gallery hours)
Exhibition Dates: Wednesday, November 25, 2015 – Saturday, December 19, 2015
Opening Reception: Friday, December 4, 2015 from 6pm - 9pm
Pick-Up Work at Gallery: Sat. 12/19 from 4pm – 7:30pm and Sun. 12/ 20 from 12pm - 4pm
Shipped Work Return Dates: Monday, December, 22 Pre-Paid FedEx or UPS is required.
Do not use the U.S. Postal Service.
ELIGIBILITY:
Open to all artists, nationwide and international. All sizes will be considered.
Please note the following:
• 2-D, over 72” in either direction
• 3-D, work that cannot fit on a pedestal
• Work delivered must be the same as accepted submission
• Paintings must be dry
• Installations must arrive with detailed descriptions
• All shipped art must be in a reusable container and have a prepaid (that means a upc code on the label) UPS or
FedEx label (available on line)
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• NO POPCORN in packaging! Use foam, insulation, paper, bubble, etc…
In conjunction with this exhibition, plans are moving forward for a panel discussion and an exhibition
catalogue, depending on level of monetary support.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS / HOW TO SUBMIT: Submission is a two-step process.
1) All artists must fill out an online application. Link to online application can be found on ARC’s website
at www.arcgallery.org under the section “News and Events”. (An online payment for show can be paid
during this step.) You will receive a confirmation email upon completion of online application.
2) The following must be submitted by email when confirmation is received.
 Jpegs (hi-res) of images. All images must be saved using the number corresponding
to the image list on the online application form, the artists first and last initials, in
capitols, and the full title of their artwork. For example: 1CKpathwaystobliss.jpg.,
2CKheavensgate.jpg, etc.
 Please put “Breathe Submission” in email subject line when ready to send images to
gallery email.
Gallery’s email is: info@arcgallery.org
ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
No work that was not originally selected by the juror will be hung.
Acceptance of video-based or sound-based art work may require artists to supply their own equipment with
simple, complete instructions. Artists will be contacted by gallery if this is necessary.
SUGGESTED FEES:
A donation of $40 is suggested for up to 3 entries. However, other donations are accepted and donation is not
required. Jury selection will be blind as to amount donated. HOWEVER, the like a submission fee, the
donation is non- refundable even if work is not accepted into the show.
PAYMENT:
PayPal- show fees can be paid on the gallery’s website. If paying through gallery website there is a link on the
home page titled “Pay application fees”. Payment can be made through this link. (A live link to this page on the
ARC website can be found lower down on the application form).
http://arcgallery.org/application-fees.aspx
Or
Pay by Check- Send one check (total for all entries by one artist) made payable to ARC Gallery with the name
of show and the name of the artist submitting to show written in the memo section. Send the check to: ARC
Gallery, 2156 N. Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60647. SALES:
Works will be for sale unless noted as NFS (not for sale) on the entry form. ARC will act as a liaison for sales
of the artists' work and takes no commission. Again, please donate to this show to help support it if you can!
INSURANCE:
ARC exercises professional care when handling submitted work. We do not assume responsibility or liability
including but not limited to accidents, damaged work, or forces of nature.
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ACCEPTED WORK: SHIPPING AND DELIVERY:
With the exception of hand-delivered and picked-up work, all work shipped to and from the gallery must be
paid ahead of time by the artist.
ARC will pack and make ready for return all shipped work and schedule the pickup. However, ARC will not
make any payment or handle work that has to be dropped off for return. ARTIAST MUST ENCLOSE A PREPAID return shipping label with the work. This should be, and can easily be, obtained at the time work is being
shipped to gallery for exhibition. ALL RETURN LABELS MUST HAVE A UPC CODE.
Upon close of show, ARC will alert the chosen shipper that the work is ready for pick-up. Any checks for return
shipping made out to ARC will not be accepted nor will hand-written Fed Ex shipment labels. All acceptable
pre-paid labels will have a barcode for scanning purposes. QUESTIONS: Please feel free to contact gallery,
during gallery hours, should you have any questions about show, submitting work, or prospectus.
ARC Gallery and Educational Foundation
Gallery Hours: Open Wed-Sat 12-6, Sun 12-4; Closed Monday and Tuesday
2156 North Damen Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60647
773 252-2232
info@arcgallery.org
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