Programming 2025: Queering the Future of Art
In 2025, the landscape of artistic expression is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and at The Bureau of Queer Art, we are at the forefront, championing innovation and inclusivity. This year, our programming reflects our commitment to amplify queer voices and challenge traditional artistic paradigms.
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Queer Art Fair CDMX
We are so excited to announce TBQA’s first propriatary art fair in CDMX for October 31st to November 2nd, Dia de los Muertos festival steps from our Colonia Juarez location. We aren’t fucking around here people. We are seeking projects, galleries, and artists to participate. More info to follow in the coming month.
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Pride Not Permission
In the face of erasure, we fight back with visibility. With this project, we’re flooding the world with queer creativity, resilience, and defiance—filling homes, offices, classrooms, churches, and Pride pop-ups with powerful art that refuses to be silenced.
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PRIDE 2025
We are working with Mexican Institute of Culture (Washington DC) and the Secretary of Culture CDMX to produce an international exhibition for World Pride in DC and CDMX Pride. Can you imagine anything more necessary right now as 47 dismantles international relations by deporting our brothers and sisters from the USA while erasing the Trans community?
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ARTSY EXCLUSIVES
We are excited to offer artists a unique opportunity to present an Online Exclusive Solo Show on the Artsy Collectors platform! This is your chance to showcase your work to a global audience, connect with collectors, and gain the visibility your art deserves. Whether you're an emerging or established artist, this is a chance to take your career to the next level and be seen by thousands of art lovers and collectors worldwide.
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TRYST ART FAIR LA
After another successful presentation at CLAVO Movimiento Art Fair CDMX, we have decided to venture into the USA to participate in a unique event with the Torrance Art Museum. Become a part of this exclusive group.
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MAP Baltimore
We are working diligently to expand the visibility of our media, exhibitions, and community projects by teaming up with the incredible team at Maryland Art Place in Baltimore for a show in September 2025.
The Bureau of Queer Art fosters inclusive and transformative spaces for queer and queer-allied contemporary artists. The Bureau of Queer Art, through its magazine and podcast, highlights the stories behind the artwork, studio practice, and the relationship of queer artists to the cis world they live in. Our commitment is to amplify diverse voices and narratives, challenging traditional power dynamics, societal norms, and artistic conventions.
Our curation explores themes of identity, power, and the body, prioritizing works that engage with cognitive dissonance, dissociation, and queer feminism. Each exhibition weaves a collective narrative reflecting the complexities of queer experiences.
We emphasize emerging talents and established practitioners, selecting artists who push the boundaries of contemporary art across various mediums. We aim to offer marginalized voices visibility and validation within the broader art community.
Designed to be immersive and thought-provoking, our exhibitions encourage deep engagement with the artworks. We meticulously plan spatial arrangements and aesthetics to enhance the impact and facilitate meaningful interactions.
Community engagement is central to our curatorial practice. Our online artist residency program brings together artists worldwide, meeting weekly to discuss materials, processes, concepts, professional development, criticism, and exhibitions. This global interaction fosters dialogue, builds connections, and inspires change.
Our vision is to build a dynamic and inclusive art ecosystem that celebrates queer and queer-allied artists while contributing to contemporary art discourse. We strive to create exhibitions that are visually compelling, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally resonant, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of queer art.
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Am I Queer Enough?
This is a question I hear at least once a week, from both within and outside the LGBTQIA++ community. It’s a question that often reflects the pressures we face—internally and externally—to define and validate ourselves.
When I started this project, it was born from my own doubts. I didn’t feel Queer enough when I compared myself to the dominant narratives and aesthetics labeled as "Queer Art." Much of what I saw felt tied to a specific legacy—the bold, defiant imagery of the AIDS crisis, when we fought for our very lives, claiming our rights to Queer sex and love. Today, a different dominance emerges: an aesthetic often tied to drag culture or flamboyant presentations, which, while beautiful and vital, don’t encompass the breadth of our identities and stories.
Our community is as diverse as it is vast. That’s why I created The Bureau of Queer Art—to offer a safe space for the full spectrum of Queer expression, and to welcome our allies who champion our visibility. To me, Queer isn’t just about identity; it’s about needing a refuge from the systems that so often exclude us. The algorithm sidelines us. Galleries decide we don’t fit into their commercial ideals. And as a result, many Queer artists and allies operate with painfully low visibility.
At TBQA, we believe this: If you say you’re Queer, that is enough. If being part of this community feels like it could open doors for you, or help you break barriers in your studio practice, that is enough. We don’t ask anyone to publicly justify their place here. There is no test, no litmus, no gatekeeping.
Because Queer isn’t about proving yourself—it’s about being yourself.
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Global Participation: Open to artists of all nationalities and from any geographical location. An internet connection and a passion for art are the key requirements.
Diverse Artistic Disciplines: Welcoming artists from a wide range of disciplines including visual arts, performance, writing, and filmmaking. Our program values the diversity and richness that various art forms bring to our community.
Emerging and Established Artists: Both emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply. We look for individuals who show a strong commitment to their artistic practice.
Studio Practice Dedication:
Ideal for artists who are dedicated to maintaining a studio practice, even amidst the time constraints of a full and busy life. Our program recognizes the challenges of balancing artistic pursuits with other responsibilities and aims to support artists in this endeavorCrucially
We welcome artists who show great promise for active participation within queer and artistic circles, particularly those who are eager to both contribute to and grow from the collaborative dynamics of our community. -
Filling Out the Application Form: Begin your artistic journey with us by thoughtfully completing the application form.
Applicants submit proposals for the projects they are passionate about pursuing during their tenure. They convene weekly with their mentors to review advancements and refine their approaches.
Submission of Your CV and Portfolio: We have created a google form that allows you to submit the required materials.
Next Steps
We will review your application and contact you within 30 days of your completed application date. -
Resident Benefits
The Bureau of Queer Art is committed to supporting the development of our artists by offering opportunities that enhance their professional studio practice and exhibition experience. The following benefits are designed to offset costs while providing significant exposure and opportunities for growth within our community.Artsy Group Exhibition
Residency Artists: All residency artists are granted inclusion in the group exhibition on Artsy with no associated fee, providing significant visibility on an international platform.
Non-Residency Artists: Non-residency artists can participate for a fee of $20 USD, providing access to a wide audience and potential collectors.
Artsy Solo Exhibition
Residency Artists: Residency artists may be considered for a free 60-day solo exhibition on Artsy. This exhibition spotlights the artist's work on a highly visible platform.
Non-Residency Artists: The fee for non-residency artists to host for a solo exhibition is $75 USD.
The Bureau of Queer Art Publication
Group Exhibition Profile: Each artist in the group exhibition will have a 2-page profile in The Bureau of Queer Art publication at no additional cost.
Feature-Length Publication: For a 2-6 page feature, including an interview and potential podcast inclusion, non-residency artists may opt in for $50 USD. Residency artists receive this feature at no cost.
Print Magazine Copies: Artists may purchase one copy of the magazine at cost ($20 to $35 USD), with additional copies available at full price.
Commission Structure
Our commission structure balances the financial responsibilities between the gallery and the artist to ensure fair compensation for all parties.
Group Show Commission for Artsy Sales (Non-Residency)
19% to Artsy
31% to The Bureau of Queer Art
50% to the Artist
Artists Opting for Paid Features or Solo Exhibitions (Non-Residency)
19% to Artsy
26% to The Bureau of Queer Art
55% to the Artist
Current Residency Artists:
19% to Artsy
21% to The Bureau of Queer Art
60% to the Artist
Patreon Membership Reimbursement
Residency artists who are members of the Patreon community at the $5 USD monthly membership level will have this amount credited back to them in the form of reduced exhibition fees. This benefit rewards artists for supporting The Bureau of Queer Art while reducing their costs for participating in exhibitions.
Curatorial Support & Mentorship
Residency artists will receive one-on-one mentorship from experienced curators and arts professionals. This mentorship includes personalized feedback, guidance on exhibition planning, and advice on developing artist statements, CVs, and portfolios.
Artist Networking & Community Building
Residency artists gain access to a network of queer and queer-allied contemporary artists. This network fosters collaboration, exchange of ideas, and peer feedback, helping artists build meaningful relationships for future projects and exhibitions.
Podcast Feature Opportunity
Residency artists may be featured on The Bureau of Queer Art's podcast, offering an additional platform to share their artistic journey, process, and concepts with a wider audience.
Michael Gallagher of Chicago, IL has been in the online Exhibition Incubator member and produced work for exhibition in our INCUBATOR residency.
The Bureau of Queer Art is partnered with Secretaria de Cultura Mexico, Teatros de CDMX, as well as many Casa Culturas and private spaces. We have continued to produce shows throughout the pandemic, have a robust schedule of shows, and the many fantastic artists we continue to work with here in Mexico, the USA, Russia, China, South America, and more. The question is do you want to be a part of our Exhibitions & Community Incubator program?
Collaborations w/Dama Gallery, The Studio Door, Sec. de Cultura CDMX, Zona Maco, & Clavo Movimiento Feria Arte.
Artists, curators, collectors,
and fans…
It began out of a desire to connect with artists in the local community. Then, we discovered that we could be our community of practice connecting online and in Mexico for over five years. Check out our programming and apply to be a part of our queer and queer-allied community.