Exhibition Inquiries

PEARLSTEIN GALLERY- Call for Proposals: 2025-2026 Cycle

Link to Submission Form

Timeline: 
Submission opens: 10/14/25 
Deadline for submissions: 12/1/25 
Finalists notified: Mid-December 
Exhibition opens: Mid-April 
Exhibition closes: Late May  

The Pearlstein Gallery invites exhibition proposals for Spring 2026. Artists, designers, curators, independent organizers, and members of the Drexel community submit entries by December 1, 2025. Selected proposals may be asked to submit an expanded proposal in a second round. 

The Pearlstein Gallery is over 3,500 square feet with moveable walls that can be configured according to each exhibition. Proposals can be for either the whole gallery, or half the space.  

The selected proposal(s) will be awarded a $500 curatorial honorarium, basic installation support including signage, and an opening reception. Additional costs, including long-distance art shipping and transportation, framing, fabrication, travel and accommodations for visiting artists, and stipends will not be supported by the gallery. The gallery has a limited amount of tech which can be used. Any additional tech requirements must be provided by the curator.
*Please note that submissions from Drexel students will be considered, however we will be unable to provide the honorarium to Drexel students.  

Criteria: 
A committee of Drexel faculty, students, and community members will review proposal concepts and make recommendations based on the following criteria: 

(1) Connection to the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design and broader Drexel community. How well does the concept incorporate the applied arts disciplines of the Westphal College community? How does the concept reflect Drexel University’s commitment to innovation? 

(2) Relevance to West Philadelphia and broader Philadelphia arts audiences.  

(3) Quality, originality, and clarity of proposal concept. 

About the Gallery: 
The Leonard Pearlstein Gallery is an inclusive gallery space that welcomes the public to experience free exhibitions of contemporary art and design. Located on Drexel University’s campus, the Pearlstein Gallery is committed to cultivating engagement with emerging artists, Drexel’s faculty and student populations, and community partners. Since its creation in 2012, the Gallery has fostered innovation and collaboration, developing strong relationships within Philadelphia’s arts and culture sector. 

Work Study

Drexel students with Federal Work Study funds can apply to work at the Pearlstein Gallery. Our staff gains an understanding of the day-to-day work of supporting a contemporary art organization through hands-on professional experience. From visitor services to graphic design, we offer a range of projects that are an asset to our staff members’ professional development. The ideal candidate is an outgoing self-starter with a passion for arts. In addition to daily responsibilities, our team-members have the opportunity to attend and staff a range of special programs at the gallery. With rotating exhibitions, film screenings, dance performances, writing workshops and more, the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery is a great place to work on campus.

Volunteer

If you are not a Federal Work-Study student and would like to get involved, The Leonard Pearlstein Gallery welcomes any matriculated Drexel student as a volunteer! Volunteers may take on a variety of tasks dependent on their skill-set and interests. Hours can be extremely flexible. Some volunteer responsibilities include:

• Monitoring the gallery
• Ushering special events and performances
• Distributing promotional materials
• Data collection

Have a skill you would like to share? We design special projects for volunteers too! Please contact the gallery for more information.