CALL FOR NEW MEMBERS: LAUNCH FELLOWS
- Submission deadline: Sunday, March 17th, 2024 11:59 PM
- Notification of accepted applicants: End of March 2024
- Submission fee is $10 for 10-15 images.
Launch Fellows Application Deadline: March 17th, 2024
Calling all emerging artists! La Mecha Contemporary 501(c)3 is excited to announce our open call for submissions to our Launch Fellowship Program. Join a supportive community of fellow artists, gain exposure for your work, and incredible opportunities for growth and collaboration while developing experience working in a gallery and curating shows. We welcome your unique perspective, creative vision, and all mediums. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your career and be part of a thriving artistic community. Submit your artwork today!
ABOUT LA MECHA CONTEMPORARY:
La Mecha Contemporary is an artist-led 501C3 contemporary art gallery founded in 2023 in El Paso, Texas dedicated to the celebration of art and creativity that enriches artistic discussion and educates the public about the work of contemporary women and under-represented artists. Through collaboration and mentorship, our artists give our Launch Fellows direct guidance as they transition into new phases of their art career and learn to navigate their professional artistic practice. La Mecha Contemporary is a venue that encourages the expansion of the artist’s role to include mentor, curator, critic, and community developer.
We promote a range of authentic individual expression embodying diverse material practices, imagery, style, and ethos. La Mecha Contemporary is located in the Falstaff Arts Community at 3803 Frutas Ave, El Paso, Texas 79905.
WE BELIEVE:
- We believe in the power of community and the value of creative space for women and underrepresented artists.
- We cultivate a culture of cooperative achievement in the visual arts by providing opportunities for artists to show their work and exchange ideas on their own terms.
- We create community through artist-initiated exhibitions, special projects, and curatorial opportunities, collectively bringing people together and expanding connections.
- We foster relationships between artists from all career stages, lifting up artists, and offering new contexts for the work of mid-career and established artists.
- Join us in viewing this work and in creating new dialogues and perspectives for experiencing art in the Borderland.
LAUNCH FELLOWSHIP MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
- One-year Launch Fellowship Membership
- One Solo Exhibition – one month
- Annual Group Exhibition – one month
- Artist page on website
- Promotion on social media accounts
- Exposure in El Paso, Texas and surrounding Borderland area
- Learn how to curate a solo and juried exhibition
- Direct mentorship from Member Artists
- Join an exciting Launch Fellow cohort
- Opportunity to learn how a non-profit gallery system works
- Artist’s net 90% of all works sold, La Mecha Contemporary commission 10%
LAUNCH FELLOWSHIP MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Launch Fellow Meetings
- Director Curatorial Meeting
- Exhibition Mentorship Meeting
- Solo Exhibition
- Group Exhibition
- Gallery Sitting (on rotation: equal to 1 Saturday per month 12-5 pm)
- Develop and curate one juried exhibition
- Opportunities to give workshops and artist talks
Application Requirements
- Cover Letter- (please share why you would be a good fit and what you hope to get from the Fellowship)
- Bio (PDF format preferred)
- Curriculum Vitae (PDF format preferred)
- Artist Statement (PDF format preferred)
- 10-15 images (JPGs 72 dpi, approx. file size 1 MB) in single PDF
- Artist Membership Application Form (completed upon selection)
Eligibility Criteria:
La Mecha Contemporary is now accepting applications for new Emerging Members for a 1-year contract period. We are looking for innovative artists/curators who are actively working, transitioning out of school to professional artists/curators or are re-establishing their careers in art. Membership is open to artists who work in all media. Current Launch Fellows are comprised of artists who work in painting, sculpture, photography, installation, new media and mixed media.
- Must not be represented by a commercial gallery
Note: There are no dues for the Launch Fellows, however, La Mecha Contemporary encourages contributions of time or resources where possible.