Thank you for your interest in Eastern State Penitentiary's artist proposal process!
Click here to download the artist proposal guidelines.
The proposal window for our 2023 season closed on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. More information about the proposal cycle for 2024 will be shared sometime in early 2023. Check back then or sign up below and we'll send you an email when details are available.
Art Orientations
We strongly recommend that applicants begin the proposal process by attending an art orientation. These informal tours/conversations give artists a chance to learn about the space, discuss what makes a proposal successful, and ask questions. There is no charge for attending an art orientation. If you are unable to attend a live, virtual art orientation, you can watch a pre-recorded orientation here.
All of our 2022 orientations have passed. Check back in early 2023 for more on our next proposal cycle.
Proposal Deadline & Submission
Proposal Deadline (for all funding and approvals):
The proposal window for our 2023 season closed on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. More information about the proposal cycle for 2024 will be shared sometime in early 2023. Check back then or sign up below and we'll send you an email when details are available.
Damon McCool
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
Artist Proposals
2027 Fairmount Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-236-5111 x227
[email protected]
Additional Resources
- Pre-recorded virtual art orientation
- 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
- Current Installations
- Past Installations