Exhibitor Guidelines

Exhibitor Guidelines and Information: As of March 17, 2009


— Everything that is done, must be able to be undone —

•    Alterations & Hanging:

o    Standard hanging height for artwork is 54” on center for accessibility purposes.

o    Artwork can only be hung from gallery (drywall) walls or Unistrut system. Walls and columns in upper and lower spaces are ½” plywood on metal studs, sheathed with 5/8” drywall; walls in public entryway do not have plywood.

o    No drilling, structurally altering or painting the floor, ceiling, exposed concrete walls or columns, light track, light fixture, or Unistrut system.

o    Gallery walls (drywall) can be altered but only with prior written approval from Space Deputy Director and Head Preparator.

o    No touching, adjusting, attaching to, or suspending from, the light track system, light fixtures, lighting controls, or thermostats.

o    Never hang artwork from the concrete column tops or concrete ceiling or any of its mechanical, electrical or heating system components.

o    Freely suspended artwork or technology can only be hung from Unistrut or built-in pulley system.

o    Three ceiling coffers (high window bays) along south wall are 36’ high; pulley system located in each corner limited to 125 lbs. per pulley; windows on south side approx. 12’- to-ceiling.

o    Unless specific to an individual piece, use of screws for hanging artwork on gallery walls is preferred over nails.

o    Playwrite

•    Unistrut System:

o    The Unistrut is the metal grid system on the ceiling.

o    Unistrut grids and the light track system are +/-11’ from the floor in the lower space and +/-9’ in the upper space; sections along the east wall of both spaces are shorter.

o    Temporary Unistrut can be added to existing grid as needed by Space Staff with prior arrangements.  Unistrut is 1 5/8” wide, and up to 20’ long sections are available.  Check with the Space Deputy Director and Head Preparator to make arrangements.

o    Single point suspension from Unistrut or pulley system is limited to 125 lbs.

o    Temporary non-structural partition walls (19–102”Hx423/4”Wx15/8”D) can be suspended from Unistrut system by Space Staff as needed with prior arrangements. Check with the Space Deputy Director and Head Preparator to make arrangements.

•    Access to Space:

o    The Space is available for installing and striking exhibitions during normal gallery hours (Tuesday – Saturday 11 AM to 6 PM with extended hours on Thursdays until 8 PM) unless prior arrangements are made with the Space Deputy Director.  (Accessing the Space outside of these hours will most likely require that the exhibitor pay for staffing.)

o    A loading dock that is shared with all Lazarus tenants is available with prior arrangements.  A temporary permit can be issued by the Space Staff.

o    The ramp, stairs, and exit doors must always remain free of any encumbrance or obstruction.

o    Doorway access is limited to maximum measurements 68” high x 94” wide.

o    Lower space access includes 4-step drop or 42” wide ramp.

o    Center handrails on front and back steps, and at lower end of ramp, can be temporarily removed if needed when moving art in or out.

•    Lighting:

o    Light track system has numerous fixtures; flood lamps and spots available in 50watt for smaller fixtures and120watt larger fixtures.  Consult the Space Head Preparator to make lighting arrangements.

o    The Space has limited ability to light artwork that is hung under ceiling coffer beams.

o    Each of the three coffers has one overhead dome light that is centered.

•    Electricity:

o    Electricity can be accessed anywhere in the gallery through wall outlets or a limited number of drop-down electrical boxes inserted into light track system as needed with Space Staff assistance.

o    Artwork involving electricity needs to be in compliance with the Space’s building, safety and fire codes.  Certification from a qualified electrician may be required.

o    A theatrical lighting box (100 amp single phase power supply with camlock safety distribution connection) is installed in our wet room and accessible through the upper gallery.  Please contact the Space Deputy Director or Head Preparator for more information.

•    Pedestals:

o    A limited assortment of white wooden pedestals is available.

o    An even smaller number of pedestals are available with plexi-glass covers; security screws are available for all of these.

•    Animals

o    The Lazarus building has a policy banning animals on the grounds with the exception of service animals.  Please speak to the Space Deputy Director and Head Preparator to appeal for special approval to include live animals within an exhibit.  If the project is approved, the exhibitor is responsible for the appropriate and humane care of any animals.

•    Perishable Objects:

o    Artwork may include perishable elements such as plants, produce, meat, etc with prior written approval from the Space Deputy Director and Head Preparator.  Exhibitor will be responsible for maintaining these elements (i.e. watering plants, changing out produce, refrigerating meat at the end of each day).  Artwork must be installed in a way that prevents the attraction of bugs, rodents, excessive odor or other pestilence.

•    Technology:

o    Due to the limited number of resources that the Space has, exhibitors may be required to provide their own technology resources.  Technology that may be available through the Space include: 2 Infocus projectors, 4 miscellaneous (old school) projectors, 2 DVD players, 3 LCD flat screen monitors, 3 Mac minis, 1 VHS/DVD player, 1 Blue Ray Disc Player, and 3 pairs of speakers.  Check with Space Deputy Director or Head Preparator for availability.

o    The Space has a house sound system that works throughout the entire space.  This system includes a mixer, 4 speakers, 1 laptop with access to internet and 3 cordless mics that may be available for use.  System has ability for live podcast recording.  Check with Space Staff for availability.

o    The house sound system includes 4 speakers mounted throughout the space in various locations.  The speakers cannot be moved, blocked or altered in any way.

o    Wireless Internet access is available for specific, on-site, works; requires a three-week lead-time; no landlines are available in exhibition areas.  Contact Space Deputy Director or Head Preparator at least 3-weeks ahead of time for assistance.

•    On/Off Directions & Interactive Works:

o    Explicit, written, step-by-step directions for turning work on and off should be submitted to the Space Deputy Director one week prior to the exhibition opening date.  This allows for all Space Staff to be appropriately trained on how to open and close the Space.

o    All work must be able to be turned on and off from the floor without a ladder.  Remotes are acceptable if provided by the exhibitor.

o    Interactive Work requires explicit, written, step-by-step directions for:

•    Space Staff to guide visitors through the interaction, supervising how they do it.

[or]

•    Signage to be displayed with the work so that visitors can interact on their own without Space Staff supervision.

o    Note that the Space is visited by hundreds of people, young and old, throughout an exhibition. Please take this into consideration when designing your work and deciding how to invite visitors to interact with it.

o    In order to accommodate a multitude of perspectives, please consider placing interactive components of work between 36-48” from the floor and operable with a closed fist.  If you have questions, please contact the Space Accessibility Coordinator.

•    Environmental Condition

o    The OSU Urban Arts Space is located in the Lazarus Building, which is a LEED certified green building.  Part of this certification is the heating and cooling system, which fluctuates during the day.  The Space maintains a relative humidity around 43%.

o    Work displayed in or under the window coffers is susceptible to direct sunlight.

•    Signage:

o    Exhibitions are required to have vinyl signage that at minimum includes the exhibit title and dates. Design needs to be organized with the Space Communications Coordinator.

o    Standard hanging height for exhibition text panels is 56” on center.

o    Standard hanging height for labels and artist’s statements is 40” to the bottom.

o    Standard font size for labels and artist’s statements is no smaller than 14pt.

o    Standard font for labels and artist’s statements is Arial.

o    Spiraled masking tape is sufficient for hanging labels. Avoid double-sided foam tape whenever possible, as it stains the wall.

•    Of Special Note:

o    Limitations apply to work displayed in public egress entryway. This entryway is a communal space in the Lazarus building and is not part of the leased premises by The Ohio State University.  As such, this space is accessible by the public during times when the OSU Urban Arts Space is not open and OSU Urban Arts Space Staff are not present to safeguard the work.  The artist/lender is responsible for installing the work in such a way that they feel confident that it is secure in this corridor.

o    The Space is unable to store packing materials during exhibitions.  Please plan to take any packing materials upon completion of the install and bring them back for the strike.

o    The Space has a variety of ladders available for installations that can be used with prior approval from the Space Staff.

o    Closed-toe, flat shoes with hard tops are required for those installing work in the Space.  Those who are not in compliance will be asked to leave by Space Staff.

— The Space Staff reserves the right to modify these guidelines at any time —