Baxter St 2026–2027 Guest Curatorial Open Call

Baxter St at the Camera Club of New York (CCNY) is a 501(c)(3) artist-run organization at 154 Ludlow Street in New York City, supported by the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation. The Guest Curatorial Open Call is the gallery's annual program for emerging independent curators to propose lens-based exhibitions at the gallery.

Three guest-curated shows are selected for the 2026–2027 season. Projects should contribute to contemporary lens-based arts dialogue and demonstrate innovative curatorial approaches, with stated preference for artists not yet represented by New York galleries.

Selected curators receive a curator fee, artist fees for the participating artists, a full production budget for the exhibition, and the gallery space at 154 Ludlow Street. The fee structure is unusually generous for an emerging-curator program and reflects Baxter St's commitment to paying both the organizing curator and exhibiting artists.

Eligibility is restricted: emerging independent curators based in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT) at the time of exhibition. The curator cannot be an exhibiting artist in their own proposal — the program is structured around curatorial practice rather than self-curated solo shows. Maximum two artists per proposal. Artists must confirm interest before submission. Curators who have previously exhibited with Baxter St must wait two years.

Submissions are free, made through Submittable. Each proposal includes a one-page statement (max 300 words), up to 8 images, up to 2 videos (max 3 minutes each), and résumés/bios for the curator and artists. The 2026 deadline is May 18 at 11:59 PM EST.