GUIDANCE WITH INSTALLATION: Gallery staff is available for consultation and guidance on installation and deinstallation processes, but it is the responsibility of the artist to complete the installation and de-installation of their exhibition thoroughly and independently. 
 
ARTWORK: The artist is to deliver artworks, equipment, and gallery furniture on their installation date. Works must be ready to be installed (paint dry, hardware in place, etc). Artwork must be installed and de-installed on the date and times provided. De-installation of artwork also entails patching and painting nail holes, returning equipment to its department lender and gallery furniture back to its proper storage, and cleaning.
 
INSTALLATION AND DE-INSTALLATION OF EXHIBITION: Installation occurs only during the dates and times provided. The artist is responsible for the installation of all artworks. All artworks must be ready for installation upon arrival to the gallery. The artist must professionally patch and paint the walls, and clean up the gallery space after each installation and de-installation of their exhibition. In other words, the artist must leave the gallery in better condition than when they occupied it. This includes discarding packing materials and returning tools where they belong. Any special installation requests must be discussed with Gallery Staff in advance, including but not limited to the use of walls, pedestals, attachment to gallery walls and ceilings, and use/borrowing of any AV equipment. The artist must also follow all guidelines provided during orientation.
 
TECHNOLOGY AND GALLERY DISPLAY FURNITURE: The gallery has some media for loan if they are available on a first come, first serve basis. Any technology supplied by the artist, including but not limited to projectors, monitors, sound equipment, speakers, software, and media players is the sole responsibility of the artist, who is obligated to maintain the technology in working order during the entire term of the exhibition.
 
PRESERVING THE CONDITION OF THE COLLECTION: Food and drinks are prohibited in the gallery spaces to protect the artwork on display and the gallery’s permanent collection stored on the premises. 
 
MONITORING THE GALLERY DURING PUBLIC HOURS: The artist must commit to be on site in the gallery during the run of their exhibition, which is Tuesday through Saturday 11 AM – 4 PM, based on the artist's availability. Further details will be covered during orientation.

EXHIBITION DESIGN COLLATERAL: The artist must generate or source their own wall labels and vinyl lettering if this option is desired. Another option for wall labels is to produce a gallery checklist. 

PUBLICITY: The appearance, design, size, color, production, distribution, and mailing of all invitations or announcements of the exhibition are the responsibility of the artist and shall be at the artist's own cost. The artist is solely responsible for documentation of their own work and exhibition.
 
PUBLIC EVENTS: The gallery reserves all rights to use the gallery space for public or private events at any time during which the artist's exhibition is ongoing. Artist's show reception is the full responsibility of artist. All food, drink, set up, and clean-up is the responsibility of artist and shall be at artist's own cost. All food and drink must be prepackaged or catered. The artist agrees to abide by university policies for campus guests, alcohol use, and all other applicable policies and guidelines.
 
CURATORIAL RIGHTS:  The gallery reserves the right to exclude any artwork from the exhibition due to verbal or visual misrepresentation of an art image/object or violation of university policies during the exhibition.

EXHIBITION RESTRICTIONS: Students/Artists must acknowledge and adhere to all artistic, performative, and exhibition restrictions set forth by the College of the Arts Galleries. These restrictions are established in accordance with broader institutional, societal, and site-specific guidelines, which students/artists have agreed to as part of their participation in gallery programming. Compliance with these policies is a matter of professional and personal integrity.

These restrictions do not infringe upon artistic expression or academic freedom but are instead a matter of respecting the designated space and honoring the commitments made upon engagement with the gallery. Any limitations imposed are considered established conditions, not subjects for debate or modification. It is the sole responsibility of the student/artist to ensure their work aligns with these parameters.

PERFORMANCES: Performances must align with the approved proposal description or video documentation and comply with university policies. The gallery reserves the right to intervene in, modify, or cancel any performance that deviates from the approved description or violates university guidelines, safety protocols, or campus policies.

  
 
INSTALLATION AND SAFETY GUIDE  

Gallery must be returned to the state the artist found it in. Only those who are currently affiliated with the university may assist in the galleries. 
 

 - Project Description: Include a clear and concise overview of the performance concept. How does it fit within the context of the gallery and audience? Who is involved in the performance? How many people will be involved? How long is it and will the performance be a one-time engagement? If props are left in the space post-performance, how long will they be in the space?

- Materials and media: Provide a full list of materials/objects/media involved, if any. Specify if any materials are flammable, perishable, or potentially hazardous. Include photos or illustrated layouts, if any.

- Audience Engagement / Sensitive Content: Describe how the audience is expected to interact or observe? Does the performance involve any unexpected or confrontational elements? Is there nudity or sensitive content? All content must comply with CSU’s policy on campus speech and expressive conduct.

 - Health & Safety / Risk Assessment / Facility Impact: Describe any possible risks to the artist(s) involved in the performance, audience, and/or gallery property. Will the performance obstruct artworks on display, emergency egress, or ADA paths? For performances involving external collaborators or specialized equipment, liability waivers may be required. Only those currently affiliated with the university may engage in performance art in the COTA Galleries.

-Maintenance of the venue: Artists must clean-up after the event. 

 

Prohibited materials

Additional Guidelines

- Exhibition walls and spaces will not be altered with paint, ink, drawing materials, pigment, charcoal, adhesives, or other permanent or semi-permanent marking materials. Use small, insignificant, erasable guide marks made with a #2 pencil or painters’ tape to determine placement of work

 

- Extremely strong adhesives are discouraged as they result in more damage to gallery walls

- Prohibited materials in galleries include varnish, paint, charcoal, dry pigments, and other friable materials separate from artworks

- Power tools are prohibited

- Wet artwork is not permitted in the galleries for maintenance concerns

- Artwork is not to be suspended from ceilings due to both structural and visitor safety concerns

- Do not block or hang artwork from safety devices or lighting tracks. Objects or materials may not be hung from the safety devices, fire suppression system components, or lighting tracks. Fire extinguishers may not be covered or sealed by artwork.

- Prevent dispersion of loose material. Contain dry, powdered, or loose materials with a barrier or container to prevent dispersion of material throughout gallery

- Artists may not place artwork and pedestals on the floor in a location that interferes with emergency egress

- There are a limited number or standard electrical outlets in exhibition spaces; equipment that requires excessive electrical load is prohibited

- The fabrication of structures in the galleries is not permitted due to time constraints, space constraints, and the creation of dust and debris. Structures must be fabricated offsite, moved to the exhibitor’s space, and installed

- Artists are solely responsible for attending their gallery space during open hours

- Gallery hours are as follows: Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 4pm, with extended hours for receptions on select Wednesdays