Student Spaces for Art and Collaboration
Curatorial and Exhibition Programs
Student Spaces for Art and Collaboration is comprised of student-centered galleries, performance venues and ShopColumbia, an entrepreneurial space for students to sell their work. These spaces serve as hubs for social, educational and cultural activities for Columbia students and the broader Chicago community. As an extension of the classroom,
Student Spaces for Art and Collaboration Curatorial incorporates the College’s curricula by building programs with academic departments providing opportunities to students such as showcasing their work through exhibitions, concert-level performances, & learn the ins-and-outs of becoming a professional artist.
Through civic engagement, Student Spaces for Art and Collaboration connects students and the college to local, national and international partners to provide experiential learning and professional development through collaboration. The spaces present innovative and accessible programs and opportunities for students, the college and beyond.
Please REVIEW each category thoroughly to make sure you are submitting your proposal to the correct gallery opportunity.
Any questions you have can be directed to Senior Exhibitions Coordinator Mark Porter (mporter@colum.edu) or 312-369-6643
Open Call to artists
Hokin Gallery seeks response artworks for Fall 25’ exhibition:
Partnering with College Archives & Special Collections, and History in the Humanities, History, and Social Sciences Department, Hokin Gallery will present an exhibition celebrating Columbia College Chicago’s 135th anniversary, opening in late September, 2025.
Erin McCarthy, Ph.D., Associate Professor’s students attending two sections of course HIST355: The History of Chicago researched and selected objects of historical significance from the Special Collection. Hokin Gallery asks artists to submit an original artwork created in response to 1-2 of the objects.
Eligibility:
Response artworks may be of any process/material including, painting, drawing, writing, photography, video, sculpture, installation, fashion, books or audio. Please note that we accept works in progress. In your project description, indicate your progress and the anticipated result.
Deadline to submit is 11:59pm May 30th. Works can be work in progress when submitted but MUST be complete before install.
Submission requirements:
Each applicant may submit 1 to 2 response artworks, each including:
1. Indicate which Special Collection object you have created a response artwork for, may select 1-2 objects from our list of 10. Please view the list HERE.
2. Your name
3. Title of work
4. Year of creation
5. Process/materials
6. A description of the project (describing the concept and look)
7. What is required to present the project in an art gallery (pedestal, monitor, shelf, etc)
8. One or more images/video to represent the project (may be a photo of the work in progress, a sketch or description)
Not sure what a response artwork is?
Here are a few things to consider when creating your piece:
1.Use one of the selected objects from the collection as a source of inspiration.
2. What does the object communicate to you?
3.What is the value of the object within the context of the college history?
4. What is different about the moment we live in now, versus the era the object comes from?
Your response artwork should be personal to you and specific to the object you selected.
Please Contact Mark Porter, Senior Exhibitions Coordinator, Student Spaces for Art and Collaboration, mporter@colum.edu