The Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture (“the center”) is home to two exhibition spaces: the Ruth Davis Design Gallery (2,000 sq ft) and the Lynn Mecklenburg Textile Gallery (1,000 sq ft). Exhibitions in these spaces are planned 10-18 months in advance and feature contemporary and/or historical objects related to at least one of the center’s three pillars: textiles, design, and/or material culture.

Exhibition Proposal Application Process:
The center is currently accepting proposals for the 2027-28 academic year. We are particularly interested in proposals for the Ruth Davis Design Gallery. Please reach out if you have ideas for future exhibitions in 2028-29 and beyond. If the center is interested in moving forward with your proposal, you can expect the following application process:

An interview will be scheduled with the Exhibition and Engagement Manager and the Executive Director.

If relevant, the applicant will meet with the Collections Manager and/or Textile Specialist to discuss the use of objects from the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection.

The center applies for annual funding to support exhibitions. Applicants are also encouraged to seek additional funding. We are a university research center with two active galleries. We work collaboratively to produce strong and creative exhibitions in a financially conscious way.

An agreement will be reviewed by both parties and signed, including information regarding the curator’s honorarium and timeline requirements.

Please submit your proposal by Sunday, November 1st via the form below. Proposals will be reviewed in November 2026 by the Gallery Committee.

Questions? Contact Bo Owen, the Exhibition and Engagement Manager, at bo.owen@wisc.edu or schedule a Zoom meeting with them here.