Request for Qualifications
Call for Curators: Ralph Alexander Chessé Exhibition
Announcing a Request for Qualifications to identify a curator to realize an exhibition that will highlight the life and legacy of self-taught artist Ralph Alexander Chessé.
Project Overview
The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) and San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) are partnering to bring the life and legacy of self-taught artist Ralph Alexander Chessé to San Francisco audiences. SFAC and SFPL are seeking a curator to realize an exhibition that will highlight Chessé’s career in San Francisco and bring the work of this under recognized artist to light. The exhibition would open in 2024 at the SFPL Main Library.
SFPL is dedicated to the sharing of library resources, knowledge, services, and experiences in order to foster a more connected community and a more resilient city. The library system includes the architecturally significant Main Library in the City’s Civic Center, 27 neighborhood branches, and four bookmobiles. SFPL has a collection of more than 3.7 million items and a circulation exceeding 11 million materials annually.
San Francisco Arts Commission: http://www.sfartscommission.org
San Francisco Public Library: https://sfpl.org
SFAC RACIAL EQUITY STATEMENT
The San Francisco Arts Commission is committed to creating a city where all artists and cultural workers have the freedom, resources and platform to share their stories, art and culture and where race does not predetermine one’s success in life. We also acknowledge that we occupy traditional and unceded Ohlone land. Fueled by these beliefs, we commit to addressing the systemic inequities within our agency, the City and County of San Francisco and the broader arts and culture sector. This work requires that we focus on race as we confront inequities of the past, reveal inequities of the present and develop effective strategies to move all of us towards an equitable future.
Project Description
BACKGROUND
Ralph Alexander Chessé was a painter, muralist, printmaker, sculptor, and professional puppeteer. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 6, 1900, Chessé briefly studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and returned to New Orleans working in the theater as an actor, stage manager, and make-up artist.
Excerpt from the Chessé Family records:
The plan for the development of New Orleans was laid out in 1721 so we know that the Chessés were instrumental in the building of New Orleans. The family house was built in 1830, at 1800 Burgundy on the corner of Kerleric off Esplanade. This was the heart of the French quarter in the Creole Faubourgs. It still stands today and can be found on the historical register. Ralph Chessé, 1900 -1990, and his siblings were born and raised there until the whole family moved to San Francisco in 1928. On the census records all the Chessés were listed as black. As happens in many mixed families some identified with the French white culture, and some identified with the black culture and strengthened those genes. Chessés fought in black regiments during the civil war. Jim Crow split families and those that could pass as white did so.
Ralph Chessé’s family chose to identify with their French heritage and all married Caucasians. Florentine Chessé married Henri Alcard and their line is continued through the Bouttés of New Orleans who are an important part of the black community and are among other things international jazz musicians and greatly involved in the cultural life of New Orleans post Katrina.
The family moved to San Francisco in 1928 and Chessé was introduced to puppetry and opened the Marionette Guild on Merchant Street in 1929. During his time in San Francisco, Chessé worked various roles in puppetry and theater, while also maintaining a painting practice. He is perhaps best known for his mural at Coit Tower—his first and only attempt at fresco painting—and “The Wonderful World of Brother Buzz,” a popular children’s program he created in 1957 and aired on KPIX for 17 years. Chessé died in Ashland, Oregon on March 17, 1991.
Chessé’s decedents, most of whom are located on the West Coast, possess hundreds of paintings and thousands of works on paper, many marionettes, photographs and a few sculptures, many of which will be made available for the exhibition. The selected curator will develop an exhibition on Chessé’s life and work, working with the Chessé family and conducting their own research on Chessé’s life as well as the historical context of his work.
Eligibility
CRITERIA
The RFP is open to curators with expertise in interwar artists. Knowledge of Black artists working during that time period or who were engaged in the Federal Art Project or other Works Progress Administration initiatives, a plus.
- Curator must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Curator must be able to work collaboratively with key staff and research subjects that fall under the purview of the project.
- Applicants are to submit their qualifications for consideration.
- The applicant’s experience is adequate and meets the demands of the project. Examples would include the execution of past projects or similar scale.
- Applicants must demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly about their practice and their intent for the project.
- Application must be completed and submitted by the application deadline. Late submissions will NOT be considered. Incomplete applications or applications that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.
FINANCIAL AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
- The curator must become an approved City Supplier in order to receive any payments. If the curator is unwilling or unable to become a City Supplier after selection, they are ineligible for participation in this project.
- The curator is expected to sign a legal agreement outlining their participation in this project.
CURATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Research Ralph Chessé’s life and work.
- Develop a curatorial thesis proposal that aligns with the SFAC Galleries and SFPL’s programmatic vision.
- Act as the primary contact between the SFAC Galleries/SFPL staff and the Chessé family.
- The selection of work includes travel to Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles to view private collections.
- Propose exhibiting artworks.
- Provide a checklist of works, promotional images, and exhibition wall text.
- Co-create public programs about exhibition with SFAC/SFPL. Additional honorarium will be provided for curator’s participation in public programs.
- Manage the production process timeline, with attention to all processes and deliverable deadlines.
- Work with SFAC/SFPL Lead Preparator and Exhibition Designer to develop an exhibition design.
- Be present and oversee the delivery and installation of artwork.
- Write a curatorial statement.
- Execute a curatorial walk through for the SFAC/SFPL staff and special interest/community groups as availability permits.
- Promote the exhibition and programs on social media and in community.
- Be present for exhibition opening.
The exhibition proposal, selection of works, writing, images, and programs proposed by the selected curator will require SFAC/SFPL approval.
Funding
Research, Planning and Exhibition Development: $5,000
Exhibition Curation and Management: $5,000
Note, additional exhibition production funds to cover such costs as art shipping and handling will be available in FY 2024-25 and will be allocated according to a final exhibition budget developed by the selected curator.
Project Timeline
The exhibition development will happen in two phases:
- Research and planning – 2023
- Exhibition – 2024
Selection Process
The curator will be selected through a competitive, transparent process. Initially, SFAC staff will screen all applications to make sure they meet the minimum qualifications:
- Application is complete and submitted on time
- The applicant resides in the San Francisco Bay Area
- The applicant has expressed their interest in this specific project
- The applicant's resume demonstrates professional competence (education, exhibition history, past projects of similar scale), including relevant experience in curating exhibitions
- The applicant demonstrates the ability to meet deadlines and work collaboratively with many collaborators and stakeholders
Then a Selection Panel made up of SFAC and SFPL staff, will review the applications that meet the minimum qualifications and score them based on the following criteria: appropriate for partnership with SFPL, ability to clearly communicate, and demonstrated professional experience.
How To Apply
Applications are available through SlideRoom, an online application system for calls for entry. There is no charge to artists for using SlideRoom. Please be sure to allow adequate time to submit your application as technical difficulties can occur. Applications that are mailed, emailed, faxed or hand-delivered will not be considered. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.
Application materials include:
1. Letter of Interest
- One page maximum.
- This should be a summary of your artistic focus and professional career, especially as your background relates to this project. Do not make a specific proposal for a new commission.
2. Resume
- If you are applying as a team, please include your team/studio resume. If that is not available, please combine the individual resumes (one right after the other) of each team member into one document.
3. Ten images of previous work
- SlideRoom accepts all image file types up to 5MB. Images should at least 72 dpi and no larger than 1500 x 1500 pixels
- For team application, please indicate the lead artist for each project.
4. Image Descriptions
- When you upload your images, SlideRoom will prompt you to fill out image descriptions. Please include the title, medium, dimensions, and year for each work. You may also include a brief statement (2 sentences maximum) about each work.
Check out our How to Apply to Calls for helpful tips on how to submit the most competitive application.
Please note that Arts Commission staff will be available to answer questions about this call until 5:00 PM (PST) on the deadline date, April 21 April 28, 2023 . Please contact Jackie Im, Associate Curator, with questions at sfac.galleries@sfgov.org.
SlideRoom technical support is available Monday – Saturday by email, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (PST) support@slideroom.com.
Partners
