Thank you for your interest in Eastern State Penitentiary's art proposal process!
Due to budgetary constraints caused by the temporary closure of our historic site (due to COVID-19), we’ve had to limit art proposals to the $7,500 funding level. We will not be accepting any proposals at the $15,000 funding level this year.
Click here to download the proposal guidelines.
Art Orientations
We strongly recommend that artists begin the proposal process by attending an artist orientation. These informal tours/conversations give the artists a chance to learn about the space, discuss what makes a successful proposal, and ask questions.
Due to ongoing public health concerns related to the novel coronavirus, all in-person art orientations have been cancelled. Instead, we are offering two virtual art orientations via the video platform Zoom.
There’s no need to RSVP for either of these virtual orientations. You can just show up to each by clicking the Zoom link.
Virtual Art Orientations:
Saturday, April 18 at 12:30 pm EST - Zoom link here.
Friday, May 22 at 3:00 pm EST - Zoom link here.
If you have questions, please contact Annie Anderson at [email protected].
You do not need to have a Zoom account to join either orientation, but you will have to download Zoom onto your computer or tablet before joining the meeting. Zoom has a one-minute video about how to join a meeting here. Due to our limited staff capacity, Eastern State cannot provide technical assistance with Zoom.
Proposal Deadline (for all funding and approvals):
Wednesday, June 17, 2020, 11:59 pm
Proposals can be submitted electronically here.
If it is difficult or impossible to access the Internet or submit a proposal online, please write, call, or email us at the address below. Exceptions are possible, evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Annie Anderson
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
Artist Proposals – 2020 Season
2027 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-236-5111 x227
[email protected]
Grace Period:
There is a 1-day grace period for all proposals. The online submission portal will close at 11:59 pm on Thursday, June 18, 2020, and no further submissions will be possible.
Additional Resources:
Sample Proposals
- Linda Brenner’s proposal for The Ghost Cats, 2004.
- Dayton Castleman’s proposal for The End of the Tunnel, 2005.
- Ruth Scott Blackson's proposal for No Trace Without Resistance, 2015.
- Emily Waters' proposal for America's Ten Worst Prisons: The Plate Collection, 2015.
- Jesse Krimes' proposal for Apokaluptein16389067:II, 2015
Past Installations
Virtual Art Orientation
