Become an Artist Member of Propeller Art Gallery

Reflections on being a Propeller Member ​(2:27 min. edited by Behrad Motekallem) , video clips from Zoom Opening for current online exhibition:
​PAG 25: Celebrating 25 Years of Propeller Artists 1996 — 2020

​Become part of one of Toronto's most dynamic artist collectives!
We welcome your interest in our Gallery!  Propeller accepts artists for Membership in all stages of their careers. We have a well-rounded co-operative composed of artists working in a wide range of media and approaches. The main objective of membership is to offer the possibility of exhibiting your work on a regular basis and interact with other artists. You can apply at any time but do let the gallery know that you are doing so. We will review within 4-6 weeks and let you know the outcome.  


Benefits of Membership:

• Online Sales site, free on the Propeller Website.
• Your work in the Artist Directory on the Propeller Website - for sales and review by collectors, curators and the public.
• Low commission on sales (directed to the gallery) for Members of 20% versus 25% for non-Members.
• Member rate for many exhibition submissions
  
• Promotional support for exhibitions on: gallery website, social media networks, listings in Slate Magazine, Artscape Newsletter, Canadian Art, Instant Coffee and others.

 

• NEW Benefits!
  •  Virtual Exhibition:  While we continue to exhibit in our gallery, to increase exposure, we will take your exhibition on-line in a virtual exhibition. This may include an on-line store linking all of your exhibition works, a ZOOM artist talk registered through eventbrite, and a video walk-through of the in-gallery exhibit.
  • New Member Promotion: Upon joining Propeller, announcement and promotion of you as a new member through our web site and newsletter.
  • New Members Virtual Group Exhibition:  As a new member, you have the opportunity to be part of a virtual group exhibition of new members, or be highlighted in one of our members group shows both virtually and in-gallery.

Full Membership guarantees half-gallery rental every 18 months for 3 weeks. This can be either a solo exhibition or a show that you coordinate with one or more artists that you invite. You assume the full responsibility of the exhibition. 

• Full members have a 4-6 week priority over other members to select exhibition dates when the schedule opens on March 31st for the following year. The Programming Committee will try to accommodate all schedule requests.
• A full member may have their exhibition before completing 18 months of membership (the period required to pay for the gallery rental) however, they must then complete their remaining months of membership, or pay for the balance of the gallery rental.

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  ​​Cost of Full Membership : $140 /Month ($158.20 including HST)

Associate Membership offers a stepping-stone into full membership with time to get to know the gallery and its operation and learn the rudiments of mounting an exhibition. It also gives an opportunity for those who do not necessarily wish to show regularly but want to be part of the Propeller collective and help out.

• New Associate Members are strongly encouraged to switch to Full Membership when ready to exhibit.
• New Associate Members are expected to book a half-gallery for 3 weeks within the first 2 years of their membership. The Associate Member can have a solo show or invite other artists to share the space but will be responsible for the exhibition.
• When an Associate Member books a 3-week exhibition in a half gallery, they are responsible for the gallery rental (total costs of rental is $2520 + HST). When booking a 3-week exhibition, 18 months of fees are deducted from the gallery rental. 
• Associate Members will have access to the schedule 4-6 weeks after Full Members.
• Associate Members can switch to Full Member status at any time and get credit for the Associate Membership fees already paid for that year. ​Associate Membership fees are non-refundable.

Cost of Associate Membership: $40 per month ($45.20 including HST) 
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As a Propeller Member you will:

• Exert full curatorial control over your exhibitions.
• Be able to network with artists through our opening receptions and other events.
• Have the opportunity to participate in Member Group Shows.
• Access resources from Propeller Members such as: mentorship, guidance in preparing for an exhibition, exhibition funding, and sourcing other opportunities for a show.  We network with other artists to organize open calls or group shows.
• Learn the operations of the Gallery, and contribute to its success.
• Gain curatorial experience and such skills as exhibition installation.
• Enjoy a positive social environment with people who share your passion for art. We are a community; many of our Members share lasting friendships.  

Expectations:
All Propeller Members must: 

• Join for at least one year.
• Volunteer a minimum of 4 hours per month in the operation the Gallery in one or more of these activities:
  •  Working on one of several Committees (marketing; membership; partnerships etc.)
  •  Virtual exhibition assistance: video and text editing, image formatting, layout and uploading
  •  Organizing, coordinating and participating in group shows, in addition to your own show
  •  Join in the hanging of a show;  or helping with intake
  •  Contributing an element of your own expertise to the operation of the gallery eg. treasurer; social media; repairs
  • Monitoring the gallery when needed
  • Contributing to the maintenance and upkeep of the Gallery
• Provide the materials and information for your artwork to be uploaded to the Website.
• Inform the gallery of any changes to personal contact information.
• At the time of your Acceptance as a Member, make arrangements to submit Contracts and appropriate fees.  Payment method is by direct monthly debit from your bank.

 
Please include the following in your application: 

• Resume (CV), biography, in PDF or DocX (Microsoft Office Word).
• Ten (10) images (72 dpi and 1000 pixels maximum width or height. (1 MB approx). 
  • All the images should represent a cohesive and recent body of work in terms of current Themes or Processes as if you were going to hang them all in an exhibition together; not a retrospective of what you have done over the years.
• You will also be asked to upload a document file with a numbered list including a description of each piece (title, medium, date, dimensions and value). 
  • Your Artist Statement (PDF or DocX file)
• A Letter of Intent including a description of the skills and interests that you are willing to volunteer to the Gallery, and your agreement to join for at least one year. (PDF or DocX).

Please contact the gallery if you have any difficulties with or questions about the application form. 

Membership application review considerations:

• The quality of the work and the level of professionalism
• A demonstrated commitment to the visual arts
• Willingness to volunteer a minimum of 4 hours a month

​Ongoing submissions
Propeller accepts and reviews submissions for Membership on an ongoing basis; acceptance is not guaranteed and is up to the discretion of the selection committee.

For more information please contact:

Peter Friedrichsen
Chair of Membership & Selection Committee
pgf@peterfriedrichsen.com

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Interested applicants may use the form below to apply