Overview

Curating exhibitions is a significant and important benefit of NYAE membership--as the association is founded on the empowering principal of artists helping other artists. Yet many members do not avail themselves of this opportunity, likely given the complexity of the undertaking. Alternatively, submitted projects often demonstrate a limited understanding of planning and lack aesthetic merit. The NYAE curatorial residency aims to mitigate these shortcomings with goal-based instruction, guided mentor and peer meetings, independent research and administrative support.

Process and Outcome

The residency requires a significant commitment of time and energy in preparation for a mid-June gallery exhibition.  Virtual workshops headed by the residency leaders, and in some instances with invited guest speakers, are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each prior month commencing in March.  Attendance is mandatory. Additional tutorials will be scheduled throughout the term and participants are encouraged to attend these as well as ad-hoc meeting with fellow participants.  Outside research, obtaining and ensuring delivery of art works (and subsequent return), promotion, show installation, gallery sitting and sales are all items that are managed by the participants under the guidance of the residency leaders.  Lastly, it is expected that those invited to participate will select works for exhibition based upon an impartial and nuanced view; hence curating in their own (or a family member’s) art work will be actively  discouraged.

Residency Leaders

This year’s residency leaders, Hayley Ferber and Luciana Solano, are both recognized art word professionals and have significant experience mounting successful exhibitions.

Luciana Solano is an independent curator based in Brooklyn, New York. Her multidisciplinary projects focus on the intersection between art, science and language in contemporary environments.  

Solano is particularly interested in art exhibitions that reconfigure physical and spatial relationships with the viewer. She brings a unique perspective to her curatorial platform after working in the field of Biological and Computer Sciences, for which she holds undergraduate and graduate degrees. She serves as a trustee for the New York Artists Equity Association.

Hayley Ferber is an independent curator, educator and artist living in Brooklyn, NY.  Her curatorial practice explores the dichotomy of abstract and representational art.  She further examines this division through her artistic process of creating artist's books.

 Hayley’s professional mission is to initiate and support creative opportunities in the arts. She accomplishes this in her daily role as Deputy Director of Chashama, a non-profit organization that transforms unused real estate into artist studios and exhibition spaces.

She received her BS in Studio Art from New York University and her MAT in Visual Art & Design Education from the Rhode Island School of Design. Since graduating, Hayley has held leadership, curator and arts educator roles at prominent institutions and schools across New York City.  

Hayley is an Emerald Member of the New York Artists Equity Association.

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