Open Call for New Members
Vox Populi is currently seeking applications for new members, due by 11:59pm on Sunday June 9th, 2019. Visual and performing artists, writers, poets, community organizers and curators that are engaged in experimental methods are all encouraged to apply. Vox Populi is looking for individuals that are committed to their personal practices and are interested in working collaboratively to run an alternative art space.
Vox Populi is a collaboratively-run, non-profit artist space: our rotating collective of members is the backbone to our ethos. Vox members are committed to actively engaging in an ongoing dialogue of experimental artistic practice through producing and curating exhibitions, performance events, artist lectures and discussions.
Join us at an upcoming info session!
On Saturday, May 25th – we will be at Franny Lou’s Porch in East Kensington (2400 Coral Street) from 3-5pm!
On Thursday, May 30th – we will be at A-Space in West Philly (4722 Baltimore Ave) from 6:30-8:30pm!
Benefits of Membership
Benefits of membership include solo and group exhibition opportunities; the opportunity to pitch and host special projects in our Front Space 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.); the opportunity to shape our open calls and facilitate the experiences of our guest artists; non-profit fiscal sponsorship when pursuing particular grant opportunities; ongoing engagement with a community of artists and creatives, including invitations to special events and retreats; skill-sharing and other professional development opportunities; access to office/work space and equipment; and more!
Expectations of Membership
Vox members are expected to regularly attend monthly membership meetings, committee meetings and annual retreats. Vox members contribute to the operational needs of the space through gallery sitting, staffing First Friday openings and events in the Black Box performing arts space on a rotating basis. Members actively participate in specialized committee work (such as Exhibitions or Fundraising), 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.
There is a one-time initiation fee of $100.00 for new members; monthly dues are $55.00. If you are experiencing financial hardship or would rather work off your monthly dues, we offer regular ‘Earn Your Dues’ work opportunities to members, which usually entails staffing a rental/partnership event on the weekends or in the evenings at a rate of $15/hour applied towards dues.
A commitment to membership for at least one year is required. New members are selected by the current membership.
Get to know our current members, here!
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
How to Apply
Applications due: Sunday June 9th, 2019
Quick Phone-Call Interviews: Late June
Notification: Early July
2019 Members Begin: Early September
Submit the following materials as one PDF or as clearly-labeled separate attachments via email to membership@voxpopuligallery.org
Application Questions
Artist Statement: In 400 words or less, tell us about your work.
Narrative Bio: In 400 words or less, please tell us a bit about your personal, exhibitions, performance and education history.
Pronouns: Please let us know how you prefer to identify.
Website / Social Media: Send us your links.
How did you hear about this opportunity? Word of mouth, Instagram, E-blast? Let us know.
Membership Goals: In 250 words or less, please tell us what you hope to gain from a membership at Vox Populi. What do you hope to contribute to Vox Populi?
Special Skills: Tell us about any special skills you feel you could contribute to our Membership. These can range from administrative and design skills (grant-writing, coding/web-experience, graphic/video design, etc.) to skills as an artist or art-preparator (drywall building/construction, knowledge of power-tools, electrical skills, etc).
References: Please send us the name and email address for two professional references that can speak to your ability to work within a collaborative environment.
Anything else? Please share if there are any additional considerations that we should be aware of in reviewing your work.
Eligibility
– 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.
– 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).
Work Samples
For visual and performing artists: Provide 1-10 items. At least two images must be installation shots of your work.
For curators/community organizers: Provide 1-10 items. You may include a combination of images and up to 2 short writing samples (500 words or less).
For writers/literary artists: Submit 3-5 samples of published writing no longer than 600 words each.
Allowed Media
Images (jpegs up to 2MB each) File names should follow this format: lastname_firstname_01.jpeg
Video/Sound/Audio (External media/link from YouTube, Vimeo and SoundCloud)
PDF (up to 5MB each)
Questions? Email membership@voxpopuligallery.org