Contra Corriente EXHIBITIONS OPEN CALL 2025

About:

Contra Corriente will return for its fourth annual festival, running from June to July 2025. The festival continues its mission of highlighting the work of artists, activists, and organizations dedicated to racial and environmental justice on the Southwest Side of Chicago and beyond. Since its debut at Chicago Art Department in spring 2022 with six inaugural artists, Contra Corriente has rapidly become an annual fixture, hosting and collaborating on exhibitions and programs across multiple sites. The festival threads together environmental stewardship and justice through impactful artistic interventions and organizing work.

Program Description: For the first time, the 2025 program invites applying artists and curators to propose specific exhibitions that align with the festival’s objectives.

Festival Objectives:

-Use art to bolster cross-community resilience and coalition-building between those at the frontline of environmental racism.

-Uplift the work of activists, environmentalists, and community members revolutionizing food culture in Chicago.

-Support young Latine and BIPOC leaders advocating for a life of abundance for Southwest Side residents through their creative practices.
Create more visibility for people of color invested in environmental justice issues.

-Advocate for equitable redistribution of the city’s resources.
Create grieving and healing spaces for BIPOC Chicagoans affected by environmental issues.

-Empower community organizers and environmentalists to identify as social practice artists.

-Cultivate an understanding of the interdependent nature of health for all.
Who

Should Apply:

We are looking for passionate individuals and collectives who:

-Have a strong connection to the festival’s objectives.

-Are committed to collaborative and community-oriented work.

-Can propose exhibitions that align with the festival’s mission and objectives.

Contra Corriente Exhibition Windows:

CC North Exhibition | Install: June 9-13 | Run: June 13 - July 25 | Deinstall: July 26-29

CC East Exhibition | Install: June 9-13 | Run: June 13 - July 25 | Deinstall: July 26-29

Application Process:
Please prepare responses to the following questions and submit your application by Dec 20th, 2024. Selected applicants will be notified in January of 2025. For any questions or accommodations, please contact Carlos Flores at carlos@chicagoartdepartment.org.

Primary Contact*

First NameLast Name

Best Email*

Best Phone*

Area CodePhone Number

Preferred Pronouns

TITLE OF PROPOSED EXHIBITION*

Brief Description: (This will serve as the blurb we use on our socials, please write in 3rd Person. (175 words max) *

Please share an exhibition statement (write in 3rd Person). We will use this for our website and newsletter *

Please upload 3-4 images of art, performance, or promotional materials associated with your proposal:*

Upload a File

5 images MAX. Please include a 400 by 600 pixel JPEG to include in our Webpost if you're exhibition is selected

Our shows open on 2nd Fridays. Is that Ok? *

Preferred space and exhibition window. Please reference timelines above. CAD will determine the ultimate space for the shows.

North ExhibitionEast Exhibition

Please explain space needs here:*

Please note: Open hours will be by appointment during weekdays from 11 AM to 6 PM, overseen by CAD staff. Curators will be given keys to the space for the duration of the show to accommodate additional one-on-one walkthroughs and small viewings. Any groups larger than five people must be approved in advance to avoid conflicts with CAD’s programs calendar.Do you agree?*

What type of art will be featured in this show?*

If other, please explain:

Please list names of artists that will be shown, or explain your plan to recruit artists.*

Will you charge submission fees to partcipating artists? Please know that we have a no-pay model across our exhibitions. Fees for the public to engage are discouraged except in some instances.

Who is helping you with this show? Please list names with specific responsibilities, if possible.*

Invites to apply are not required, but were you invited to submit this proposal by someone from the CAD community? If so, please indicate here.*

No, I was not invited by anyoneOther

Any other questions for CAD?

We ask that you include our logo in all your promotional materials. Do you agree? *

Open Call: 4th Annual Contra Corriente Exhibitions