Exhibition Proposals, Procedures and Policy

The Art Program develops its own exhibitions but also reviews proposals that originate from the World Bank Group and external sources, such as other non-governmental international cultural organizations or museums.

The program makes particular effort to identify artists from developing nations and make their work available to a wider audience through exhibitions, educational and cultural partnerships, competitions, artists' projects, and site-specific installations.

The Art Program does not address exhibits by staff and their immediate family members to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest. However, there are opportunities for Bank staff and their families to exhibit through the volunteer World Bank Art Society and the International Photographic Society.

Exhibits are planned far in advance. Unsolicited proposals are reviewed each March and September. Please do not expect an immediate response; you will hear from us after our semi-annual reviews. Proposals are reviewed by the Curator in consultation with an ad hoc committee of World Bank staff.

TO BE CONSIDERED PROPOSALS MUST:

• be consistent with our goals and policies (see Exhibition Policy, below)
• be in writing
• should include a concept statement up to one page in length
• include a c.v., exhibition history, or brief biography for each proposed artist
• should include no more than 5-8 slides
• must be addressed as follows:

Attention: EXHIBIT PROPOSAL
The World Bank Art Program
MSN MC1-102
1818 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20433
U.S.A

To ensure consistency in consideration, we will not accept faxed or electronic submissions (unless the work itself is in electronic or new media - in which case we still request a written proposal mailed to us on paper citing a web site or CD-ROM).

Exhibition Procedures

Requests for exhibitions may originate from the World Bank Group, museums, cultural and educational institutions, foundations, international governmental and non-governmental organizations and artists.

The exhibit schedule is based on the World Bank's fiscal year. The Art Program establishes the exhibit schedule in accordance with World Bank Group operations. Selection criteria includes the following:

• Relevance to the Art Program's overall mission;
• Selection criteria, based on merit, scholarship, artistic, aesthetic and informational value;
• The degree of financial support available and Art Program staff and any applicable time limitations;
• Support a balance of exhibitions to appropriately represent the World Bank Group's constituency;
• Proper utilization of objects and collection management practices including all legal and ethical concerns.
  

Exhibition Policy

All information in exhibitions must be honest, objective and accurate. Exhibits and acquisitions will NOT be considered if they:

• conflict with World Bank mission and policies;
• publicize or promote commercial products or services;
• impugn the reputation of any person or ethnic group;
• do not support the notion of human dignity;
• threaten the health and safety of the World Bank staff and visitors;
• are intended to promote or degrade and/or enhance a particular religious belief, attitude or dogma;
• promote an attitude of prejudice against any person or persons;
• perpetuate myths or stereotypes viewed as negative or demeaning to a people, race, gender, religion or ethnic group;
• compromise the artist's rights;
• are of a political nature.