Knockdown Center welcomes diversity in all shapes and forms. We host everything from Concerts and nightlife to art exhibits and performances, conferences and meetings, festivals and fairs, weddings and fundraising events, film and photo, and more. Our space lends itself particularly to events that push boundaries and seek new modes of experience for their audiences. Capacities are 1000 simultaneously seated, up to 4000 standing.
Open Calls
Our open call for proposals is now live! Deadline: September 4, 2020
Knockdown Center’s mission is to be responsive to the needs of cultural producers making experimental and cross-disciplinary work, and to provide a platform for in-depth inquiry from varying viewpoints across diverse formats. Through an open proposal process, we offer artists, curators, and organizers the freedom to challenge traditional notions of presentation and reception.
Knockdown Center accepts proposals of any form, scale, and subject matter and reviews them biannually with our curatorial advisory board. To submit a proposal, please refer to the proposal guidelines below and refer to the floorplans to identify the space that best suits your project. Please direct any questions to submissions@knockdown.center.
Main Spaces Projects
Deadline: September 4, 2020 at 11:59pm
About Main Spaces Projects and Application Process
Knockdown Center’s Main Spaces are our most active spaces. Because they are in high demand, projects proposing for the Main Spaces should plan to use them as efficiently as possible, and should not exceed 2 weeks in duration. Main Space projects can take the form of large-scale temporary installations, dance, theater, readings, talks, screenings, conferences, etc.
The Main Spaces project proposal is a multi-step process. In the first round, we invite artists and organizers to submit a letter of intent describing the project they wish to produce, along with a selection of images or videos. After a first round of reviews, a shortlist of selected applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed proposal, and the opportunity to engage in a more in-depth conversation with Knockdown Center’s staff about the nature of the space and what kind of support Knockdown Center can offer to realize the proposed project.
Please consider the following logistical factors and spatial limitations when conceptualizing your proposal:
- The Main Spaces are in extremely high demand, and should be used as efficiently as possible. Developmental residencies and extended rehearsal periods are therefore not feasible.
- The Main Spaces are open-plan, multi-use, and often shared.
- The Main Spaces receive abundant natural night. Please consider this aspect of the space when conceptualizing multi-day projects that might require light control such as video and light installations.
Please refer to the floorplans when imagining your project.
Download Floorplans Here
Please note:
Proposals for group shows should not include the organizer’s own artwork.
We do not rent our space for exhibitions.
Gallery Exhibitions - Group Exhibitions
Deadline: September 4, 2020 at 11:59pm
About the Exhibition Program – Group Exhibition
The Group Exhibition Open Call provides curators or curatorial teams the resources to organizing group shows (two or more artists) in our gallery space. Knockdown Center provides an exhibition stipend to cover curator and artist honorarium in addition to costs associated with shipping, materials, and programming. Exhibitions are typically 6 – 8 weeks, and allotted 5 days to install.
Proposal Guidelines
1. Project Description: Clearly describe your exhibition concept, all elements involved, and state why it is relevant to present at Knockdown Center.
2. Checklist: Please provide information about each artwork considered for inclusion in the exhibition, including: artist, title, date, medium, dimensions (if applicable), installation components, and lender, gallery, or person providing the work. All artists and artworks don’t have to be confirmed, however curators should be in conversation with the artists or lenders included in this proposal.
3. Images: Please include up to 10 images of works included or representative of what will be included. For movement based work, please include up to 3 video samples via accessible links.
4. Installation Plan: Describe how the exhibition would be installed in Knockdown’s space. Clearly list all spatial needs, technical and equipment requirements, specific installation considerations, and an outline of shipping logistics. It is encouraged to include a layout of the work in space using the floor plan.
5. Programming: Describe any additional programming (performances, screenings, talks, etc.) that you plan to include to accompany your exhibition.
6. Exhibiting Artist Info: Provide bios, links, and descriptive information about all exhibiting artists.
7. Curator Info: Give us a sense of your background and experience.
Knockdown Center Gallery Exhibition Budget Guidelines
Curatorial Honorarium: Curators receive a $500 curatorial honorarium per exhibition. In the case of a co-curated exhibition, the curatorial honoraria is divided between curators.
Artist Honoraria: Each artist included in an exhibition receives a $100 honorarium.
Shipping or Material: KDC will reimburse up to $500 upon the submission of receipts for:
-Artwork shipping
-Material costs for special installation needs
Programming: KDC offers $400 to support exhibition-related programs. Programs may include but are not limited to: panel discussions, screenings, readings, performances, or a closing reception.
Knockdown Center Support
Knockdown Center provides the following exhibition-related support:
- Art handler for installation and de-installation up to 22 hours.
- Fine Art Insurance coverage for all dates of the exhibition.
- Title vinyl production and installation.
- Marketing support.
- Installation photography.
Please refer to the Gallery floorplans when designing your exhibition.
Download Gallery Floorplans Here
Gallery Exhibitions - Solo Projects and Installations
Deadline: September 4, 2020 at 11:59pm
About the Exhibition Program – Solo Projects and Installations
The Solo Projects and Installations Open Call provides interdisciplinary artists and collectives the resources to develop and present a new body of work or site-specific installation in our gallery space. Artists will work in close conversation with Knockdown Center’s Director of Exhibitions and Live Art to develop and realize proposed projects. Knockdown Center provides an exhibition stipend to cover artist honorarium in addition to costs associated with shipping, materials, and programming. Exhibitions are typically 6 – 8 weeks, and allotted 5 days to install.
Proposal Guidelines
1. Project Description: Clearly describe your exhibition concept, all elements involved, and state why it is relevant to present at Knockdown Center.
3. Images: Please include up to 10 images of works included or representative of what will be included. For movement based work, please include up to 3 video samples via accessible links.
4. Installation Plan: Describe the elements of your project, and how it would be installed in Knockdown’s space. Clearly list all artworks and installation components in addition to spatial needs, technical and equipment requirements. It is encouraged to include a layout of the work in space using the floor plan.
5. Programming: Describe any additional programming (performances, screenings, talks, etc.) that you plan to include to accompany your exhibition.
6. Exhibiting Artist Info: Provide bios, links, and descriptive information about all exhibiting artists.
Knockdown Center Gallery Exhibition Budget Guidelines
Artist Honorarium: Artist or collective will receive a $500 artist honorarium per exhibition.
Shipping or Material Costs: KDC will reimburse between $500 – $1,000 towards exhibition production costs, final amount to be determined by Knockdown Center. May include:
-Artwork shipping
-Material costs for special installation needs
Programming: KDC offers $400 to support exhibition-related programs. Programs may include but are not limited to: panel discussions, screenings, readings, performances, or a closing reception.
Knockdown Center Support
Knockdown Center provides the following exhibition-related support:
- Curatorial support from Knockdown Center’s Director of Exhibitions and Live Art.
- Art handler for installation and de-installation up to 22 hours.
- Fine Art Insurance coverage for all dates of the exhibition.
- Title vinyl production and installation.
- Marketing support.
- Installation photography.
Please refer to the Gallery floorplans when designing your exhibition.
Download Gallery Floorplans Here
Temporary Allegiance Open Call
Knockdown Center hosts Philip von Zweck’s project Temporary Allegiance, an ongoing open call for artist-made flags to be featured temporarily on our prominent 40 foot flagpole at the building’s entrance.
More info
A 40-foot flagpole erected at Knockdown Center is the site of Temporary Allegiance, a collaborative artwork by Philip von Zweck. The project originated in Chicago as a platform for the freedom of expression on a public college campus. Although typically a stable institutional fixture, this flagpole offers anyone the opportunity for monumental visibility for a limited time only.
A flag can bear national or military emblems, mascots, warning signals, or propaganda, among others. In many countries desecration of the national flag is a punishable crime. Patriotic love or rage, fandom, competition, festivity, spirituality, mourning—these are some of the array of reactions a flag can engender. The term “temporary allegiance” legally refers to the duty of a non-citizen to obey all laws so long as he remains in that country. Implied is the notion of flux, that loyalty and identity can be reconsidered as the flag is hoisted and lowered.
Philip von Zweck would like to thank Gallery 400 at the University of Illinois Chicago for previously hosting this project.
Submission information:
– Each flag will fly for ~2 weeks
– Unconventional shapes, sizes, and materials are acceptable so long as safety considerations are met (weight, fastening, and wind durability)
– Maximum flag size is 8 by 12 feet
– Flags should be attachable at a minimum of 2 points, 3 feet apart
– A sign within the building’s lobby will include information about the artist and flag design.
– Flag drop off times are: Thursdays and Fridays 2pm – 6pm, Saturdays and Sundays 2pm – 7pm
Open Capacity
Knockdown Center supports artists and organizers producing events in need of space! Through Open Capacity: Knockdown Center’s space support program, artists and organizers may apply for use of space and basic operational support for one-time events such as performances, workshops, talks, screenings, or conferences that align with the KdC mission and resonate with existing programming. Spaces available include intimate bar settings, a raw black box-style room, and 20,000 square feet of open-plan industrial space, amongst others.
More info
While Knockdown Center provides space and operational support, the applying artist or organization is fully responsible for funding and producing their event and expected to participate in promotion and outreach.
In addition to space, Knockdown Center provides:
-Basic AV and technical support.
-Box office and event staffing.
-Marketing support though inclusion on the KdC website, newsletter, and socials.
Program Guidelines
-Open Capacity is intended for one-time public events. The program does not apply for closed rehearsals, video shoots, private meetings, or an ongoing series of events.
-Eligibility is determined by Knockdown Center’s assessment of the logistical feasibility of event production, operational impact, existing calendar of events, and the proposed event’s relationship to Knockdown Center’s mission and other programs.
-Space is allocated to applicants by Knockdown Center. Space offered is non-negotiable, and determined by other events in the building, audience capacity, and technical needs.
-All accepted events must comply with Knockdown Centers operational protocols and schedules.
Please refer to the floorplans when imagining your event:
Floorplans Here
We accept applications for Open Capacity events on a rolling basis.