This evening I have been researching information about the content of art proposals and how they are written. The first thing that has stuck out to me is the One-Page-Proposal. This reminds me of when I was in school writing my CV for the first time, and we were taught to ensure that it was only one page, including soley important, direct information relating to the interest of the employer.

'Basically an art proposal is structured to convince the art gallery, specifically the owner or curator about your worth as an artist. You have to let them know that your art has some artistic significance and has found its own niche in the wild variations of artists and artistic practice, and two, that your art appeals to target-viewer of the gallery. If both requirements are met a little on the side but equally important issue is if your artworks can sell–meaning if this can sustain an exhibition and return the investment of the gallery. The case is different however for independently-run art spaces and museums.'

On the same site, I have learnt that it is quite important to enclose an opening letter, simply stating why we are writing.... "I am writing to submit an exhibition proposal for an interactive installation that will excite visitors and entice them to work their way to the first floor of the museum". Bad example, but you see what I mean. We should write I very short letter to introduce our proposal as well.

For the actual proposal... on the same site I have found a list of points.

'- Brief description of the project (its concept and how the space will be used)
- Curatorial brief (if you have a curator, otherwise don’t write this)
- CV of artist or exhibition proponent and of curator (again if you have a curator).
- Logistical requirements
- Source of funding or division of cost
- Proposal for collateral activities
- Contact details (Phone, email and reference to an online portfolio.)'

We should include a concise artist statement as well. I think in reality we would have an edited professional portfolio that we would present to the gallery, however I'm not sure we need this for this project. We could make a small mock portfolio (sketches/photos from all of us) and present it as if it was a complete portfolio.

It seems to be good to include the artists website too. We should make up an art website where as the artist, we would publicise our work, qualifications, past and future exhibitions and some kind of feedback section.

Most of this we can probably start working on, now that we have an idea of what kind of art installation we would like to propose. We will also need to look at funding. Depending on the materials we are using, (pens, paper/sticky notes) we can look at companies that may offer some sponsorship, funding or lower prices as we would be buying these material in bulk.

http://artexplainer.wordpress.com/2010/11/20/how-to-write-exhibition-proposal-for-art-galleries/