What’s a Rough Gem?
Rough Gems is an annual program developed by Union Hall to support creatives in cultivating strong leadership and curatorial skills and gaining first-hand experience organizing an exhibition from start to finish.
But who is a curator? What does that word even mean?
The word curator is steeped in meaning, and for many people it feels like an exclusionary term reserved for those with a PHD in Art History, working for a major art institution, and flying to prestigious art fairs every weekend.
For Union Hall, it’s much simpler. Stemming from the latin word “curar”, meaning “to take care of”, a curator aims to take care of the artists in an exhibition and help elevate their artwork, while advocating on their behalf. A curator can be a student, an artist, or anyone with the seed of an idea, which pulls together artists and artwork that is meaningful to them.
With our Rough Gems program, Union Hall aims to support aspiring curators, but also hopes to break down the barriers for who can consider themselves a curator, and diversify the voices responsible for exhibition-making in the Denver area.
I am sincerely ready for more voices to be heard in this city.
— Florence Blackwell, 2023 Rough Gems curator.
2022 Rough Gems co-curator Nadiya Jackson helps artist Coltyn Cody with installation. PC: Kevin J. Beaty / Denverite
We accept proposals that include a wide range of creative expressions and formats, and provide resources and funding for three 3-week exhibitions - paying equitable wages, providing mentorship, planning support, and full use of Union Hall’s facilities. Union Hall wants to take your gem of an idea and provide the exhibition space and support to bring that concept to life.
If you are interested in learning more about the Rough Gems program we encourage you to visit this webpage to learn more. Applications for the program open every year in August, announcements are made in October, and the exhibitions begin in January of the following year. Notifications and updates on application deadlines, informational sessions, and further opportunities will be posted on our website, social media, and in our programming newsletter.
The Rough Gems program provided a great and equal measure of freedom and support. Curators are supported by a great team at Union Hall provided with feedback, assistance, development, and education throughout all stages of the curatorial and exhibition process. It’s a unique and standalone program in the mentorship and opportunity it provides. But the team and program do this in a way where the curator still retains full ownership, accountability and freedom. I felt like I learned every step of the way but never had to minimize my ideas.
— 2022 Rough Gems Curator