Applications for Portable Southeast have closed
The second round of the Portable Southeast Traveling Exhibit will begin traveling through Southeast Alaska in early 2025.
All submissions are being reviewed, and selections for the 2025 exhibit will be finalized by October 21. Artists will be notified after the review period is closed as to what piece or pieces have been selected to travel.
A traveling art exhibit celebrating life on the coast
Born from the need to connect, Portable Southeast is a region-wide opportunity to bridge artists, arts organizations, and businesses across Southeast Alaska. Existing at some level of isolation is common among our island communities - especially given our limited transportation methods, long distances, and unpredictable weather. Portable Southeast offers a unique opportunity to cross both geographical and social barriers - exhibiting works from Alaskans in cities both small and large, at venues both traditional and non-traditional. Portable Southeast provides a new and exciting mode for artists to showcase their works beyond local reach, and brings works into new community gathering spaces.
About Portable Southeast
What is Portable Southeast?
Portable Southeast is a traveling exhibit that is part of the JAHC Gallery Program. All works should be inspired by life in coastal communities, small and/or packable, all media are eligible. The exhibit is curated by a group of people who represent various communities across Southeast Alaska, with a goal to coordinate a body of work by Southeast Alaskan artists that tours the region. The mission of this project is to provide exhibit opportunities for artists outside of their hometown, to build communication & networking opportunities among both large and small Southeast Alaska communities, and to create new partnerships between arts agencies and museums in Southeast Alaska.
How does work get selected for this exhibit?
A panel of regional and guest curators will review entries and rate them. A number of pieces [to be determined] will be selected for the exhibition. The review process is entirely digital. Curators will represent each of the following regions:
- Northern Southeast: Yakutat, Haines, Skagway, Juneau, Gustavus, Hoonah, Pelican, Cordova.
- Middle Southeast: Sitka, Angoon, Petersburg, Kake, Tenakee.
- Southern Southeast: Ketchikan, Craig, Wrangell, Hydaburg, Klawock, Metlakatla.
We aim to have two communities in each region represented in the exhibition schedule.
What are the requirements to apply?
Artists may submit up to three works for consideration and all media are eligible. Work submitted must have been completed in the last three years. Due to the highly transitory nature of this exhibit, all entries must fit into a USPS Priority Mail Medium Size Flat Rate Box. (Box 1, top loading dimensions: 11 1/4″ x 8 3/4″ x 6″ or Box 2, side loading dimensions: 14″ x 12″ x 3 1/2″. ).
Please note: All submissions MUST arrive gallery ready, with proper hanging hardware installed. Artwork that does not arrive with hanging hardware will be pulled from the exhibit.
Other requirements and instructions (such as shipping, etc.) are detailed below.
Who is eligible to apply?
Artists currently residing in any community in Southeast Alaska.
When is the deadline to apply?
September 30, 2024.
Is there an application fee?
Applicants will be charged a $20 fee after their submission is received.
When will I find out if my work is selected?
The panel of curators will meet in early October to review and make selections. Artists will be notified after selections are made.
How does shipping work?
Once artists are notified of selected work, they should mail or drop off their artwork to the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council, located at 350 Whittier Street. All accepted submissions must arrive by November 8, 2024. We recommend that artists who live outside of Juneau have their work ready to be shipped first thing in October to expedite that process. Artists are responsible for shipping their artwork to Juneau. After the traveling exhibit is finished, the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council will ship unsold or NFS work back to the artists.
Exhibition Venues and Curators
Portable Southeast is made possible with community partnerships across the region. Six Exhibition Venues and a small group of Curators from both large and small communities participate in this traveling exhibit.
Exhibition Venues (“Exhibitors”):
A gallery or public exhibition space (museum, cafe, community arts center, etc) in your community.
- 2 Exhibitors in Southern Southeast Alaska (Metlakatla, Ketchikan, Craig, Klawock, Thorne Bay, Wrangell)
- 2 Exhibitors in Middle Southeast Alaska (Kake, Petersburg, Sitka, Angoon)
- 2 Exhibitors in Northern Southeast Alaska (Tenakee, Pelican, Hoonah, Elfin Cove, Juneau, Gustavus, Haines, Skagway, Yakutat)
Curators:
An Artist or Community Partner representing their hometown, reviewing submissions and work with the curation team to accept pieces into Portable Southeast. Curators will review all submissions online, and will be compensated for their time and experience. Who is an eligible curator?
- Curators in Southern Southeast Alaska (Metlakatla, Ketchikan, Craig, Klawock, Thorne Bay, Wrangell)
- Curators in Middle Southeast Alaska (Kake, Petersburg, Sitka, Angoon)
- Curators in Northern Southeast Alaska (Tenakee, Pelican, Hoonah, Elfin Cove, Juneau, Gustavus, Haines, Skagway, Yakutat)
Curators receive a stipend for their time and expertise.
Are you interested in being an Exhibitor, Curator, or would like to nominate a venue or person for either role? Please email portablesoutheast@gmail.com for more thorough project details (schedule, press package, supplies list & logistics, etc).