Underdonk is thrilled to announce our Summer Solo open call! The selected artist or collaboration will receive an NYC solo show in our Lower East Side gallery for two weeks. The run of the show will be July 18-27, 2025.

We are looking for artists who have an exhibition concept ready! This exhibition opportunity is perfect for experimental and interdisciplinary work that activates the space and fosters cultural dialogue.

In addition to choosing one solo exhibition, Underdonk members will also promote our top ten picks from the application process and post them on our social media platforms.

Underdonk is an artist-run exhibition space located in the Lower East Side neighborhood of Manhattan. Founded in 2013, Underdonk is committed to showcasing emerging and underrepresented artists in all disciplines, and regularly hosts readings, performances, and guest curators. It has presented over 100 exhibitions over the past 12 years. The shows have been reviewed in The New Yorker, Hyperallergic, Art Spiel, Brooklyn Magazine, The Brooklyn Rail, Art F City, Artsy, The New York Observer, Two Coats of Paint, and Artnet.

Please note that your submission fee directly contributes to the operating expenses for our artist-volunteer-run gallery.

Important Information

• Installation: July 15-17th

• Artist reception: Fri, July 18th with optional programming on Sun, July 27th

• Gallery Hours: Fri-Sun 1-6pm

• Deinstallation: July 27-28th

Responsibilities of the Artist

• All work must be completed and ready to install at the time of the show

• The solo show recipient will be responsible for transporting their work to and from the site

• Costs associated with the transportation to and from the site will be the responsibility of the artist

• The artist must come prepared with all materials to install and deinstall their artwork and return the gallery to its original condition

• Costs associated with installation and deinstallation of the artwork will be the responsibility of the artist

• The artist is responsible for tech that might be required for the exhibition

Responsibilities of Underdonk

• Underdonk will cover the cost of exhibition photos

• Underdonk will promote the exhibition on all social media platforms, website and with our mailing list and press contacts

• Press materials will be developed in collaboration with the artist

• Underdonk’s volunteers will sit the gallery Friday-Sunday. The selected artist is welcome to sit the gallery or open the show by appointment on other days during the run of the show

Submission Requirements

• Open to professional working artists only. Currently enrolled students are not eligible to apply.

• Submission fee is $25, non-refundable.

• 250 word show proposal + 5 works relevant to the proposal: JPGs OR a combination of MP4s and JPGs may be submitted.

• Five JPGs or MP4s, a rendering of the proposed installation can be included as one of your images

• Each JPG must be 2000 pixels at the largest dimension.

• JPGs and MP4 files should be titled as follows: ArtistName_Work Title.jpg/mp4

• Video clips must be in MP4 format

• All video clips must be no longer than 3 minutes in length. Please provide timestamps if needed.

• Artist, title, year, medium, and dimensions are required for all artworks submitted.

• All submissions must be in by 11:59pm EDT on April 18th, 2025, for consideration.

The solo show recipient will be notified mid-May. The recipient will be announced in May 2025.