CALL FOR EXHIBITION PROPOSALS
The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum (The Cheech) is inviting proposals to program the Altura Credit Union Community Gallery space SPRING 2026. The Community Gallery is dedicated to highlighting the work of emerging and mid-career artists with roots I’m in in the Inland Empire region. This call for proposals supports the museum’s mission, to uplift diverse artistic and cultural voices, cultivate inclusive exhibitions, collections and educational programming, engage in transformative conversations, and foster strong community connections.
EXHIBITION PERIOD: March 28 – September 13, 2026
DESCRIPTION:
The Community Gallery is located at the entrance of The Cheech and provides approximately 1500 square feet of exhibition space which can be considered a single space, or divided in half to create two galleries of approximately 750 square feet each;
Our preferred proposals for SPRING 2026 are for single-artist ½ gallery 750 sq foot) exhibitions. Larger group shows (1500 sq feet) will also be considered.
A curatorial fee of $1000 will be paid per ½ gallery space ($2000 for the entire Community Gallery).Note: additional stipends for organizing and participating in exhibition-related programming may be available;
The museum’s professional staff will work with the selected curator(s)/artist(s) to secure art loans, organize the installation and marketing of the exhibition, and host an exhibition reception at the museum’s expense.
ELIGIBILITY: Curators and/or artists who have roots in the Inland Empire.
PROPOSALS: Please submit the following materials to [email protected]
- Your contact information and CV or resume;
- An abstract of 1-2 pages describing the exhibition’s premise and objective(s). This should discuss the exhibition’s themes, intended audience, cultural and regional significance, and curatorial viewpoint;.
- If available, a preliminary checklist of works proposed for the exhibition including artist, title, date, medium, dimensions, and if possible, lender’s name and location. At a minimum, please provide at least 3-5 images of representative works;
- Please note if there are any works proposed for the show which will require shipping from outside the region, special handling/installation, loan fees, or other considerations.
PROPOSAL DEADLINE: January 4, 2026
Proposal Application Fee: None
Selection: Finalists may be invited to present their proposal to an exhibition selection panel comprised of museum staff.
Successful candidate(s) will be notified January 2026
For questions regarding the residency program, please email [email protected] and in the subject line indicate PROPOSAL QUESTION
Incomplete proposals will not be considered.
CALL FOR ARTISTS
Riverside Art Museum is accepting applications for its 2026 Artist-in-Residence Program, designed to support emerging and mid-career artists with roots in the Inland Empire area. In support of the museum’s mission,* this residency offers a unique opportunity to develop new work while engaging with our community.
*Riverside Art Museum uplifts diverse artistic and cultural voices, cultivates inclusive exhibitions, collections, and educational programming, engages in transformative conversations, and fosters strong community connections.
RESIDENCY PERIOD: January – August 2026
RESIDENCY DESCRIPTION:
- Studio and exhibit space in a designated museum gallery (approximately 1480 square feet). The residency does not include living accommodations.
- An exhibition at RAM developed in collaboration with the museum curator and open to the public May – August 2026; it is anticipated that the artist will work in the space for 4-8 weeks during this period.
- Artist will create new work, experiment with ideas, or develop a project while in residence. The museum reserves the right to select an art piece for its collection.
- Artists will be expected to engage with the public through open studio hours, workshops, talks, community events, public programs or other happenings at mutually agreed upon times.
- $18,000 stipend plus materials and exhibition budget
ELIGIBILITY: Artists who have roots in the Inland Empire. We welcome applications from individual artists or collaboratives working in all media and at various stages of their careers. Artists must have the availability to spend time on-site.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Please submit the following materials via email to [email protected]:
- 10 images of current work (JPEG format, 72 dpi, maximum 2MB each)
- Artist statement in alignment with project (500 words maximum) including ties to the Inland
- Empire.
- Biography (one paragraph)
- Current resume/CV
- Contact information
APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 1, 2026
Application Fee: None
Selection: Finalists will be reviewed by a panel of arts professionals and artists to discuss their proposal concept.
Successful candidate will be notified January 2026
For questions regarding the residency program, please contact Lisa Henry at 951-323-8243
This program is generously supported by
