In 1972, a collective of twenty women artists founded A.I.R. Gallery, the longest-running alternative exhibition space for women artists in the United States. Today, A.I.R. continues to be artist-directed and its New York Members serve as the organization’s Board of Directors, sustaining A.I.R. through monthly volunteer work on board committees and financial support in the form of membership dues. Members benefit from a supportive, intergenerational feminist community that encourages creative risk-taking and mutual empowerment and provides the opportunity to contribute to A.I.R.’s mission and programming.

A.I.R. is currently accepting applications for New York Membership. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.

Each New York Member presents a solo exhibition at A.I.R. every 3 years, maintains an artist page on A.I.R.’s website, and benefits from a membership network of mutual care and support. Members attend regular board and committee meetings, donating at least 10 hours of their time to the organization each month. Financial responsibilities include a one-time $500 initiation fee and $300 monthly membership dues. A.I.R. does not place any restrictions on a member’s affiliation with other nonprofit organizations or with commercial galleries.

In order to expand access to New York Membership, A.I.R. also offers a limited number of shared memberships. These pairs of New York Members share two aspects of membership: together they present a two-person exhibition at A.I.R. every 3 years (in lieu of a solo exhibition), and each artist contributes $150 in monthly membership dues ($300 total). Those interested in applying for a shared membership should note this in their application and may designate an individual with whom they wish to share their membership (both applicants must submit separate applications). If an applicant expresses interest in a shared membership but does not designate a specific partner, A.I.R. will pair them with another applicant, contingent on interest and availability.

2027–2028 A.I.R. GALLERY FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION 

Established in 1993, the A.I.R. Fellowship Program for Emerging and Underrepresented Women and Non-Binary Artists has enabled more than 130 artists to realize their first solo exhibition in New York City with the support of the A.I.R. community. The Fellowship Program annually awards six local emerging artists with their first solo exhibition, professional development programming, curatorial support, and mentorship during a 12-month fellowship that runs September–August.      

Eligibility:

•  A woman or non-binary visual artist working in any media
• 18 years of age or older
• A resident of the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island) for the duration of the Fellowship (September 2027–August 2028)
• Have not had a solo exhibition at a permanent venue in NYC in the last 10 years
• Not a student or enrolled in any degree-granting program at the time of the program (September 2027–August 2028)
• Not participating in a comparable development, fellowship, or residency program at the time of the program at A.I.R. (September 2027–August 2028)
• Not currently a member, employee, or board member of A.I.R. Gallery, and have not previously had a solo show at A.I.R.
• Not a Fellowship Program alum 

Not sure if you qualify? Check our frequently asked questions section for more info.

 Benefits:

• 4–5 Professional development workshops led by professionals in the field (Fall 2027)
• A solo exhibition at A.I.R. Gallery (Spring/Summer 2028)
• An artist-mentor at A.I.R. Gallery to work with throughout the program
• One-on-one studio visit with one of the review panelists
• Ongoing studio visits and support from A.I.R. staff
• A stipend of $3,000

PLEASE NOTE: THIS APPLICATION IS AN ANONYMOUS REVIEW. None of your submitted materials may include your name (including the file name or body of images, statement, CV, or any other submitted files). If a submitted file contains or is titled with the artist’s name, the submission will be disqualified and the applicant will not be permitted to re-apply until the next Fellowship cycle.         

If for any reason you do not get an email confirmation from Submittable after applying, please email info@airgallery.org. All applicants will be notified by SPRING 2027. Because of the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding the status of applications.