Call for Curatorial Proposals: 16th Venice Architecture Biennale (2018)

The Department of State and the National Endowment for the Arts announce an open competition for grants from U.S.-based non-profit organizations--including museums, galleries, visual and design arts centers and schools of design and architecture--to organize the official U.S. presentation at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition to be held in Venice, Italy, June through November, 2018.

The international architecture exhibition is the premier showcase for revolutionary ideas in contemporary architecture and planning through national representations. Proposals should represent the most excellent and innovative work in American architecture and landscape architecture.

Award amount: $200,000

Timeline

• By December 15, 2016, please discuss your project with the coordinator of the Federal Advisory Committee on International Exhibitions (FACIE) at the NEA: Guiomar Ochoa, ochoag@arts.gov
• Proposal Deadline: January 12, 2017
• Exhibition Dates: June - November, 2018

Review Criteria 

Eligible proposals will be reviewed on the following criteria:

• Architectural excellence, which includes:

1. Quality and significance of the architects, organizations, designs, or services that the project will involve, as appropriate.
2. Record of professional activity and achievement by individuals/organizations involved.
3. Ability to monitor and measure the effectiveness and impact of the exhibition.

• Architectural merit, which includes:

1. Extent to which proposal represents the vitality and/or diversity of contemporary U.S. architecture.
2. Scope of public programming in Venice to engage broad audiences through outreach activities associated with the exhibition.
3. Public programming for participants in underserved communities surrounding Venice is also encouraged. The Biennale is a unique opportunity to share important developments in the American architectural field with members of the international community and engage diverse audiences (e.g. youth, women, and underserved communities) beyond the exhibition site.
4. Suitability of the exhibition for the U.S. Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition.
5. Ability of applicant to carry out the proposed exhibition with a cost-effective budget.
6. Support of U.S. foreign policy goals, which may include:
7. Strengthening the capacity of civil societies to be more inclusive, in particular of youth and women.
8. Inspiring young people to take leadership roles in initiatives that create positive opportunities for themselves and their communities.
9. Prompting dialogue regarding peace, reconciliation and civil society resiliency.
10. Upholding human rights.
11. Showcasing entrepreneurial skills.
12. Demonstrating environmental stewardship.

How to Apply

In order to apply for new funding opportunities which are open to the public for competition, you may access the Grants.gov website portal. All funding opportunities and application kits are made available on Grants.gov.  If your organization has/had a grantee business relationship with a grant program serviced by the Office of Grants Management, and you are applying as part of ongoing grantee-related activities, please access GrantSolutions.gov.

In order to apply electronically you must first have a GrantSolutions user account. If you are already an existing grantee, please login to GrantSolutions using your existing grantee username and password. If you do not remember your account information or have not been assigned a grantee account, please contact the GrantSolutions Help Desk at (866) 577-0771 or by email at help@grantsolutions.gov . GrantSolutions provides you the ability for existing grantee organizations to submit their entire application online. However, please note that all required signatures must still be "original hardcopy signatures" and must be received by the Grants Servicing Office by the due date requirements as specified in the grant announcement.

QUESTIONS?  Guiomar Ochoa, ochoag@arts.gov