Programs
Smack Mellon's Exhibition Program is at the center of the organization. Designed to advance public interest in the visual arts, the program focuses on providing opportunities for artists to create site-specific works that creatively respond to our space, and work that explores innovative uses of both new technologies and traditional materials. The gallery space provides for large, ambitious shows that allow our artists ample room to explore and present their work. Exhibiting artists also have unlimited access to Smack Mellon’s in-house media equipment. On average, Smack Mellon produces five exhibitions a year showcasing the work of more than 50 artists for 20,000 visitors. We also produce on average one exhibit per year by an emerging guest curator. The gallery, which is free to the public, is open five days a week.
The Artist Studio Program was launched in 2000 in response to the crisis in availability of affordable workspace for artists living and working in New York City. This program provides free studio space, access to a workshop for metal, wood and general fabrication, a common area equipped with the latest technology, and a fellowship (dependent on funding) to six artists for an eleven-month period. Each year, Smack Mellon convenes a panel of arts professionals to select the six Studio Artists from over 600 applicants. The panel also chooses approximately 15 additional “Hot Picks” artists, whose work is featured on our website for one year, along with that of our studio artists. Smack Mellon hosts two Open Studios events annually, as well as sponsored visits from curators, critics and gallerists, which provide significant exposure and invaluable career building opportunities.
In 2007 we developed Arts Education Programs for local youth, in order to better prepare underserved young people for the professional world and to expose them to diverse artistic disciplines. Our Art Ready after-school program partners high school students with professional artists in NYC for a series of studio visits, field trips and a 4-month mentorship in order to help them make a more informed decision about pursuing a career in the arts.
Smack Mellon welcomes proposals from emerging and under-recognized mid-career artists who are based in the greater NYC region. Proposals will be considered for both Gallery One (the larger front space) and Gallery Two (the smaller back space). For Gallery One we encourage site-specific projects and installations that respond to the unusual architecture of the space. Only artists who do not have commercial gallery representation in New York City will be considered.
We accept exhibition proposals on a rolling basis, reviewing submissions periodically through the year. We will be considering submissions for 2025 and later.
Smack Mellon is interested in presenting exhibitions that consider social, political, and environmental issues and formal presentations that are relevant to our time. Through our exhibition program, we seek to support experimental, boundary-breaking work and artists that have demonstrated a dedicated commitment to their practice.
Your submission should include:
1. Work Samples You may include up to ten (10) images and/or three (3) videos that are representative of your artistic career and the work in your proposal. Images should be saved as .jpeg or .png, 1000px maximum in any direction. Videos should be an excerpt of no longer than 2 minutes each. Please DO NOT submit video documentation of exhibitions. We will make exceptions if the exhibition contains video installation (IE: not a single channel video), performance, or other time based elements that cannot be captured by an image.
2. Image information There will be space below each image to provide information about the work. For still images: Include the title, date, medium, dimensions, and a brief description of the work (less than 100 words). For video: Include title, date, duration, and a brief description of the work (less than 100 words).
3. CV Please include exhibitions, residencies, awards, and related projects as well as educational background. Please do not include employment history unless it is directly relevant to the proposed project. PDF only.
4. Proposal as one single PDF, including the following:
- Where the project will take place. You may submit a proposal for either Gallery One (the large space) or Gallery Two (the smaller space). Your proposed project cannot take up both spaces.
- General artist statement (250 words or less)
- Description of the proposed work (500 words or less) that includes a concise explanation of the exhibition concept, and how it will be presented in the gallery space.
- Drawing(s) or mock-up(s) of the proposed project. This should give us a sense of how you envision using the space.
*Note, it is helpful for the reviewers to know why you are interested in Smack Mellon as the site for your work.
A floorplan is available for download HERE
The side view of Gallery One (the large space) is available HERE
Requirements and Eligibility notes:
If awarded an exhibition opportunity, artists are responsible for delivering their artwork to the gallery and for the execution and installation of their artwork. Smack Mellon does not provide a budget for shipping, transportation, or specific production costs, so please take this into account. We will hire up to two freelance preparators to help with the installation of the artwork, but the amount of time available to each artist is limited. Smack Mellon has media equipment available for our exhibitions. Equipment details and installation specifics will be discussed after the proposal has been accepted for further consideration.
Artists are required to do a site visit at Smack Mellon’s space before a proposal is accepted. Smack Mellon provides an artist fee for all exhibitions, the amount of which depends on the gallery space and funding for that year.
Smack Mellon is currently only accepting proposals for those based in the greater New York Metropolitan Area, focusing primarily on the five NYC boroughs, extending to the immediately surrounding Tri-State region. Smack Mellon has long been dedicated to supporting the under-recognized artists in our local NYC art community and we see this opportunity as a way to continue that support.
Applications from artists who are currently enrolled in degree seeking programs (MFA, BFA, etc.) are not eligible for this opportunity.