Proposal Process for Exhibitions 

The Library’s Events & Exhibitions Committee schedules exhibitions for the coming academic year. Archival exhibitions are established first, determining the availability of opportunities for students, faculty, and staff across the Cooper community to host their exhibitions. 

These exhibitions should engage the interest of all disciplines, fostering collaboration and dialogue among various academic fields. Selected exhibitions should relate to the Cooper Union Library and Archives, whether to specific collections or the general themes of libraries and archives. 

Each semester, the Library will call for proposals for the following semester.  You will be prompted to enter your Cooper login to submit an Exhibition Proposal (Microsoft Form).  The Library’s Events & Exhibitions Committee will review proposals and contact the applicant directly.  Please bear in mind that space is limited, and submitting a proposal does not guarantee that you can have an exhibition at this time. 

Agreement for Approved Exhibitions 

The Library must ensure that presentations are staged in the safest way possible. Every effort is made to preserve intent while avoiding potential hazards to health and safety. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and approved guests staging presentations on Cooper Union property must receive specific approval in advance if planning any of the following: 

•  Adding to, subtracting from, or otherwise modifying any of the existing physical elements of space.  This includes building additional walls, hanging work from the ceiling or windows or columns, attaching very heavy works to the walls or ceiling, drawing or painting directly on the walls, applying anything to the windows, or altering the regular flow of foot traffic through the space 

• Using organic or unusual materials such as soil, liquids, living organisms, heated elements, open flames, hazardous materials, electrical equipment other than standard audio/visual gear, or any other things that may raise health, safety, security or custodial concerns  

Unapproved installations or portions of installations are subject to immediate removal by the Library or by the Facilities staff, especially if they are deemed a health or safety hazard. 

Finally, you are responsible for installing, deinstallation, and removing materials used in this exhibition—any materials left in the Library for more than a week after your deinstallation will be discarded.