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Student Exhibition Info

Foreground, 2018

Foreground, 2018

CURRENT STUDENT EXHIBITIONS CALENDAR : Spring 2026

 

School of Art Exhibitions Handbook 

 

Forms & Instructions:

Exhibition Info Sheet for senior shows

Exhibition Proposal Guidelines for non-senior shows

Temporary Installation Request for installs outside of the classroom

 

 

2026/27 Weekly Exhibitions Schedule:

Install : Sun 12pm - Tues 6pm
On View : Tues 6pm - 8pm
                 Wed 11am - 6pm
                 Thurs 11am - 6pm
                 Fri 11am - 6pm
                 Sat 9am - 3pm
Deinstall : Sat 3pm - Sun 12pm
Film and Vid deinstall : Sunday before 2:30pm

 

Gallery Floor Plans with General Guidelines:

General Guidelines for all spaces:

  • Do not block or obstruct office/classroom/facilities doors
  • No drilling or anchoring to the floor.  
  • No significant, permanent or structural damage is allowed.
  • No spray painting in the galleries.
  • No smoke, fire or fog machines.
  • A clear line of sight and direct path must be maintained from any elevator or office to the exit stairs.
  • At least a 4ft clearance must be maintained in and around any sculptural installation that is occupying a large portion of the exhibition space. 
  • Lights directly in front of the elevators and exit stairwells must remain illuminated. Exit signs and any other fire safety equipment cannot be obscured or blocked.  
  • Large anchors or screws may not be used on the columns. Smaller hardware and alternative installation options are possible.
  • Wall structures/projection screens must be hung at least 18in below the ceiling so as not to block sprinklers.
  • All water/biodegradable elements need preapproval by SoArt & Facilities before install.

 

Additional guidelines for the Colonnade:

  • The window benches and globe light fixtures may not be removed.
  • A minimum 5ft clearance must be maintained in a direct path from the south entrance of the colonnade to the north exit door. This includes a minimum head clearance of 7ft.
  • Materials may not be adhered to the exterior side of colonnade windows.
  • The east glass wall of the colonnade is shared with the library. To avoid blocking the majority of daylight into the library, art installations on the glass should not obscure more than 50% of the wall.

 

Additional guidelines for 41 Cooper Gallery:

  • Nothing should be attached to the sliding glass doors in the back space without prior approval. 
  • No drilling into the concrete center column.
  • One of the doors to the back space must remain open at all times.
  • No water elements unless they have been approved by SoArt and Facilities.

 

EXHIBITION SPACE DEINSTALL REQUIREMENTS:

  • remove all artwork and signage
  • return pedestals, tables, tools and equipment to spaces or offices they were from
  • holes in walls & ceiling must be properly filled, sanded and painted 
  • no permanent damage was done to the building
  • restore ALL areas to original condition
  • sweep the floors (brooms are available through maintenance at the Guard’s desk & the painting office)
  • completed by the Sunday at noon

See below for additional guidelines for specific spaces.

Great Hall Gallery
1st Floor Colonnade
2nd Floor Lobby
4th Floor Exhibition Space
5th Floor Lobby
6th Floor Lobby
Room 610FB
7th Floor Lobby
41 Cooper Gallery

Great Hall Gallery, Foundation Building (PDF)

great hall lobby

  • Because of the close proximity to The Great Hall auditorium, audio components may only be used with headphones.  All other audio components for the exhibition and reception are not allowed.  Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis depending on the Great Hall Auditorium programming and with prior approval from the Art Office.
  • Floor work is not allowed. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis with prior approval from the Art Office.

1st Floor Colonnade, Foundation Building (PDF)

1st floor colonnade

  • Materials may not be adhered to the exterior side of colonnade windows
  • A minimum 4ft clearance must be maintained in a direct path from the south entrance of the colonnade to the north exit door. This includes a minimum head clearance of 7ft.
  • The window benches and globe light fixtures may not be removed.
  • The east glass wall of the colonnade is shared with the library. To avoid blocking the majority of daylight into the library, art installations on the glass should not obscure more than 50% of the wall.

 2nd Floor Lobby, Foundation Building (PDF) 

2nd floor lobby

  • The two large white tables in the lobby cannot be removed from the space.

5th Floor Lobby, Foundation Building (PDF)

5th floor lobby

6th Floor Lobby, Foundation Building (PDF) 

6th floor lobby

Exhibition Room 610 (PDF)

Room 610

 

7th Floor Lobby, Foundation Building (PDF) 

 

7th floor lobby

  • No paint of any kind on the floor.

41 Cooper Gallery, 41 Cooper Square (PDF) 

Temporary Exhibition Spaces for 41 Cooper Gallery

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.