The Lab

Deadline: Ongoing

The Lab
San Francisco, CA
Curatorial, Exhibition and Residency Opportunies


The Lab is an interdisciplinary arts organization which supports the development and presentation of new visual, performing, media, sonic, and literary art. We assist artists in the creation of new work and showcase work of the highest quality by emerging and underrepresented experimental artists. Of particular interest is work which crosses boundaries, encourages evolving artistic and social dialogue between artists and audiences, and develops the culture and community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Proposals: The Lab accepts proposals on an on-going basis. In particular, The Lab seeks proposals of new work that fully utilizes our space or engages with the space in a nontraditional manner. The Lab accepts submissions from emerging and experimental curators for group visual art exhibitions or performance series. A curator's own artwork should not be included in the project proposal. If accepted, The Lab encourages curators to post an open call for entries on The Lab's website, although this is not required. The LAB also reviews proposals from visual artists for the main gallery space or solo shows in the front gallery. The Lab accepts proposals from performers for 2-4 week residencies in our main gallery space. We strongly prefer to present new work that has not been shown elsewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area; exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis.

Curators, solo artists, and collaborators are encouraged to apply to one of our three spaces:

Main Gallery: Available for curated group shows, solo or two-person exhibitions or residencies for visual artists and/or performers. The gallery is 2,100 square feet. Chairs, risers, stages, and moveable walls are available. The maximum seated capacity is 100.

Front Gallery: Primarily for solo visual artists. 123 sq feet. Four walls approx 8' wide x 10' tall.

Ticket Booth: For single-channel new media works. Small (4x4) ticket-booth closet adjoining entry hall to the LAB. Currently we only have the ability to exhibit DVD works in this space.


Residencies: Solo artists/performers or collaborators may apply for residencies in the Main Gallery space. The LAB offers 2 performance residencies per year. The LAB offers artists an extended workspace for 2-4 weeks to create new work; the length of time depends on the scope of your project. Residents are encouraged to engage the community with public events such workshops or panel discussions. If you are applying for a LAB residency, please address these additional issues of time, community, and budget (if applicable) along with the regular application (instructions stated below).

Our programming committee meets monthly to review proposals. Accepted proposals are generally presented 6-18 months after the date of acceptance. For more information on past LAB programming, please see our list of past events.

How to Apply (truncated)

Project Description that addresses the following questions:

*What are the specifics of your proposal?

*Which space are you applying to (Main Gallery, Front Gallery, or Ticket Booth?) Please describe how you would use The Lab's space to enhance your project. How would you engage/utilize this space?

*What kind of resources do you need to complete and install your work?

*What kind of events do you envision being programmed with your project/work, if any?

*How would working with The Lab further your artistic goals?

*Has or will this work, or similar work, been shown elsewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area? If so, please indicate when and where.

Review the following:

Gallery Floorplan [pdf]

Proposal Checklist [pdf]

ABOUT The Lab

Visit website for full details: thelab.org


The Lab
2948 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
p: 415.864.8855
f: 415.864.8860