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Vox PopuliOpen Call for New Members
Applications Due Sunday, June 6th, 2021

Collective Member Open Call 2021

Apply to Join the Vox Populi Collective Membership

Open Call for New Collective Members

Info Session #2: Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 1pm EST on Zoom
Applications Due: Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 11:59pm
Interviews: Early July, 2021
Application Decisions: Late July, 2021
New Members Begin: September, 2021

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Vox Populi is seeking new voices and perspectives to bring unique ideas to the membership. Visual and performing artists, creatives, filmmakers, poets, cultural producers, and curators who are committed to experimental practices are all encouraged to apply. We seek passionate individuals who are invested in working collaboratively to run an alternative art space, including the production of exhibitions and events.

Vox Populi is a member-run, non-profit artist space. Read our Mission & History. Our rotating collective of members is the backbone to our ethos. Our members seek to dismantle the traditional gallery model through pushing the boundaries of artistic practice, and producing a wide and inclusive range of programming and events.

Vox Populi’s members are looking for people who are aligned to our core values. Before considering applying we encourage applicants to review our Values Statement.

Join Us at An Upcoming Info Session

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

  • Please confirm that you live in Philadelphia, have plans to move to Philadelphia, or live near enough to Philadelphia that commuting in for regular gallery meetings and obligations will not present a burden.
  • Vox Populi does not accept members enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree-seeking program as of the Membership start-date of September 2021. Applicants pursuing a PhD are eligible to apply, contingent upon the specific time-demands of their program or stage of completion.
  • For Visual Artists: Please confirm that you are not currently represented by a commercial gallery or are currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program (we strongly discourage current students from applying).
  • New members are selected by the current membership, with major criteria being the applicant’s commitment to experimental artistic/creative practice, demonstrated participation in the independent arts and culture communities of Philadelphia, and specific areas of practice or interest the membership wishes to see more representation of within the organization. Get to know our current members!

Application Materials to Prepare

Applicants are asked to prepare 1-10 items in a SINGLE PDF document. You may include any combination of images and/or time-based media. Poets or writers may submit 3-5 writing samples (600 words or less) as a single PDF.

Please include a cover sheet listing your samples in the order they appear. The cover sheet should contain the following information for each work sample:

  • Title
  • Date
  • Medium
  • Short description (50 words or less)

Benefits of Membership

  • Being a part of an active member community dedicated to each other and their artistic home, Vox Populi;
  • Community work space to develop and experiment with new ideas;
  • The opportunity for solo and group exhibitions;
  • Exhibition and program support from the membership;
  • The ability to pitch and host special projects in our Community Space and/or Black Box;
  • Free usage of our Black Box performing arts space to present/rehearse your own work; or that of others, or otherwise use to support your practice (photo-shoots, recording sessions, etc.);
  • Involvement in shaping our open calls and facilitating the experiences of our guest artists;
  • Receive non-profit fiscal sponsorship when pursuing particular grant opportunities;
  • Invitations to member exclusive events and retreats;
  • Access to Vox Populi’s extensive alumni and community network;
  • Skill-sharing and other professional development opportunities;
  • Access to office/work space and equipment; and more!

Expectations of Membership

Vox Populi exists and thrives on member support and engagement. Vox members contribute to the operational needs of the space through gallery sitting and staffing openings and events in the Black Box performing arts space on a rotating basis. Members actively participate in the development, management, and execution of ideas at Vox. Members are expected to undertake specialized committee work, including serving as a committee chairperson at some point during their tenure.

While workload varies, Vox members usually spend on average five hours per week on Vox-related activities in support of operations. Members are expected to contribute to regular maintenance at Vox, both in terms of installing and de-installing work as well as the logistical and operational functioning of the space. Members are expected to regularly attend monthly membership meetings, committee meetings and annual retreats.

Example of typical member contributions:

  • 2-3 meetings per month, usually a few hours each in the evenings
  • 3 hours per month gallery sitting (Wednesday-Sunday between the hours of 12-6)
  • 2-hour First Friday shift every 3 months
  • 3 hours administrative work weekly, done from home
  • Daily email correspondence

A commitment to membership for at least one year is required.

Membership Dues

There is a one-time initiation fee of $100.00 for new members. This fee can be spread out over time or the new member can use ‘Earn Your Dues’ opportunities to fulfill the initiation fee.

Beyond the initiation fee, all other Member Dues have been suspended until 2022 in light of the pandemic and the future of Member Dues is uncertain. Prior to the pandemic, members were responsible for monthly dues of 55.00 dollars. However, when (and if) dues resume next year, Vox tentatively plans to shift to a sliding-scale model ($20-$55/month), allowing Members to make contributions that are meaningful and reasonable to them based on their own circumstances. This shift will be assessed during Collective Meetings towards the end of 2021, as our financial forecast for the years ahead becomes more clear.

Once (or if) dues resume, those experiencing financial hardship or those who would rather work off monthly dues, are invited to take advantage of regular ‘Earn Your Dues’ work opportunities, which usually entails either contributing contracted professional services beyond the regular expectations of membership (graphic design, photographic documentation, writing/copy-editing texts, on-site fabrication needs) or staffing a rental/partnership event during the weekends / evenings at a rate of $15/hour applied towards dues.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Vox Populi does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, members, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

Vox Populi is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

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