Specifications for Prospective Exhibitors

Thank you for your interest in exhibiting this innovative, provocative and bold exploration into the nature of reparative justice.

Learn More About the Exhibition

  • Repossessions is a group exhibition inspired by the concept of reparations: the effort to repair the economic and psychological devastation caused by slavery for descendants of enslaved African Americans.

    It presents the work of seven Black artists commissioned to create artworks based on documents from the enslavement and Jim Crow eras in the United States. Chelle Barbour, Marcus Brown, Rodney Ewing, Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle (Olomidara Yaya), Shanequa Gay, Curtis Patterson and Lava Thomas each offer insightful ways to understand the significance of the original documents, which were offered to the artists by white families working toward repair through an initiative of The Reparations Project in collaboration with Reparations4Slavery and date from the 1860s to the early 1900s.

  • As of 2026, the Repossessions exhibition includes the following elements:

    • 7 works of art

    • Original ephemera that the artwork is based on, including slavery ledger and Confederate currency.

    • Video installation, including a mini-documentary about the exhibition plus film shorts from The Cost of Inheritance documentary.

    • Wall text on the nature of reparations and the concept for Repossessions

    • Artist statements

    Optional elements include an interactive wall display where viewers can respond to a series of prompts regarding the nature of repair.

  • The Repossessions exhibition requires between 1,500 - 3,000 sq. feet of gallery space, including:

    • space for 7 works of art

    • a vitrine for slavery and Jim Crow-era ephemera

    • equipment for viewing the mini-documentary and film shorts.

  • Environmental controls: 18–21°C (65–70°F) with 45–55% relative humidity, especially critical for works on paper.

    • UV-protected lighting: No direct sunlight or unfiltered fluorescent lighting; all works require low-lux (≤50 lux/5 foot candles) exposure.

    • Secure hanging/display infrastructure: Ability to hang framed or unframed works with museum-standard fittings (D-rings, cleats, or wall-safe magnets).

Specifications

Basic Requirements

Costs

  • The basic participation fee is $5,000, which covers the curatorial fee for Bridget R. Cooks, PhD’s coordination of exhibition details with a prospective venue’s curatorial and gallery staff.

  • Participating venues are required to cover all costs of artwork shipments, including packing, and crating in accordance with industry standards. In addition, artwork crates and original packing materials must be retained for return shipment or be replaced.

    • Venues must insure all works at their market value for the duration of the loan (from arrival to de-installation and return shipment).

    • Condition reports are required on artwork arrival and departure.

  • The venue is responsible for:

    • Preparing the space for the exhibit, including gallery wall preparation and movable wall placement.

    • Hanging and lighting the art according to industry standards

    • Printing and mounting of all interpretive materials, including exhibition title, artists’ statements, curator’s statements, and other interpretive materials, as provided by curator.

    • Set up of video playback systems for the accompanying video shorts.

  • If artist and curator participation is desired at opening events, lectures, curatorial walkthroughs, and other events, the venue will be responsible for covering travel and honoraria costs.