Exhibition Project: How to borrow an exhibition

Browse available exhibitions in the Exhibition Marketplace. Each Exhibition listed on the Marketplace has the information you’ll need to begin assessing whether or not a show is right for your community. Search the Marketplace based on availability or size of Exhibition.

Interested in an exhibition? Click the “Request to Borrow” button in the top-right hand corner and submit the following information:

• Basic information about your museum
• Preferred presentation dates
• Why the exhibition is of interest to your institution

Once you request an exhibition, we’ll review your information within 5-10 business days and contact you with any questions and to gather additional materials. We’ll need a facility report and gallery floor plans for the spaces where you’d like to present the exhibition. If you’ve never filled out a facility report before, the form is available on the American Alliance of Museum’s (AAM’s) website.

Art Bridges works with the Organizer of the exhibition to review venue request materials as they are received. The review process may take as long as a month. We’ll contact you to discuss your facility and gallery spaces to ensure they meet the exhibition’s requirements. If your initial facility review doesn’t meet the exact requirements for the Exhibition, fear not. We will work with you and try to resolve any issues. If your venue is approved, Art Bridges will contact you and the organizing institution to confirm dates and information.

Once you have confirmed your venue slot with the Exhibition Organizer, you’ll work with the Program Officer through the funding application process. Exhibition funding applications are approved on a rolling basis by the Art Bridges Board.

First, you’ll receive a submission schedule for your project. The Program Officer and other Art Bridges team members will work collaboratively with you on both the narrative and budgetary application pieces and provide feedback so you can present a strong application packet. We will contact you with information on your award shortly after the board reviews your application. 

Art Bridges generally funds 20-70% of the following costs when applicable and based on the operating budget of your institution:

• Exhibition fee charged by the Organizer
• Shared Costs, set by the Exhibition Organizer
  • Crating
  • Framing
  • Conservation
  • Insurance
  • Storage between venues
  • Couriers
  • Shipping
  • Supplies and equipment
  • A/V Equipment
  • Translation services
  • Copyright/image use fees
  • Furniture and casework
• Local Costs
  • Contract labor
  • Security
  • Art handlers
  • Graphic printing
  • Others… we’re open to your innovative ideas
• Materials and equipment required by the specific exhibition
• Gallery interactives offered to all venues
• Translation service
• Costs related to programming

Art Bridges does not typically fund:

• Staff salaries
• Marketing
• Museum overhead
• Catalogs

We look forward to hearing from you and can’t wait for the opportunity to support you.