Expert: DJ Murphy - 8/10/2008

Question
Hi, i've been a professional artist for many years (40). I work in many media (calligraphy, design, artist books, sculpture, collage, architecture) but thematically all my work is in a narrow niche. I have been quite successful in selling, publishing, getting commissions etc but have never gotten involved in the more conventional paths of exhibiting in galleries or museums, though occasionally i have had a few shows here and there. now, by some amazing coincidences, i've been offered a large show (could be retrospective--i'm 62 and have a lot of different kinds of work)at a major ny art museum. the director saw and loved my work and offered me a show of about 3500 to 4500 square feet. he wants to travel it around the country to other museums. he's asked for an exhibit proposal from me and i don't have a clue of what that means. i can put something together but i'm thinking there must be standard guidelines for this sort of thing.
any help would be most appreciated. websites? books? where could i see examples of successful museum show proposals?
thanking you in advance for any direction you can provide.
david

Answer
Congratulations on your museum exhibition David.

Truth be told....I have no idea what an
"exhibit proposal" entails.  But, don't hesitate to ask the
museum director for more specifics on what it is he/she wants
re information from you.

I just put together an exhibition for a Canadian based
museum, and basically it was a list of works, titles, sizes, mediums,
and bio's of the artists.

Ask the director if this is what he is asking.

Artcalendar.com is a good resource for many artists...not
sure if it would help in answering this question however.

All the best to you in your retrospective.

dj murphy
www.galleryonemain.com

p.s. Make sure there is not upfront cost for you to participate in this traveling exhibit.