Artists, curators, collectors, and fellow art lovers—
What began as a desire to connect with local artists has grown into a vibrant, international community of practice. For over six years, The Bureau of Queer Art has brought together queer and queer-allied creatives online, in United States of Mexico, and the United States of ‘America,’ cultivating space for dialogue, experimentation, and mutual support.
Explore our programs—and if our mission resonates with you, we invite you to apply and join our ever-expanding circle.
The importance of community is central to the ethos of TBQA.
Artistas, comisarios, coleccionistas y amantes del arte...
Lo que comenzó como un deseo de conectar con artistas locales se ha convertido en una vibrante comunidad internacional de práctica. Durante más de seis años, The Bureau of Queer Art ha reunido a creativos queer y aliados de los queer en línea, en los Estados Unidos de México y en los Estados Unidos de América, cultivando un espacio para el diálogo, la experimentación y el apoyo mutuo.
Explora nuestros programas y si nuestra misión resuena contigo, te invitamos a aplicar y unirte a nuestro círculo en constante expansión.
Artist Partnerships for Resilience
Building Long-Term Collaboration Between Artists & The Bureau of Queer Art
At The Bureau of Queer Art, we don’t just show work—we build relationships.
We believe that lasting visibility and success in the art world aren’t just about one show, one sale, or one grant. It’s about community, continuity, and care.
This is why we’ve developed a layered model of collaboration—starting with our online and low-residency programs, and growing into long-term artist representation. These pathways offer queer and allied artists the chance to deepen their practice while contributing to and benefiting from a resilient, international support structure.
INRESIDENCY | LOW RESIDENCY
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We encourage artists to see residency not as an endpoint, but as a platform. Artists who continue to work with us may:
Return for additional residencies (with reduced tuition and expanded opportunities)
Participate in multiple exhibitions across Mexico, the U.S., and online
Be included in Substack features, podcast interviews, and published books
Contribute to curatorial conversations and shape the next generation of programming
This is our way of honoring commitment with continuity and there are so many benefits.
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Global Access, Local Impact
The virtual InResidency program connects artists from around the world in an online community focused on dialogue, reflection, and development. Over the course of 10 sessions:
Artists meet weekly via Zoom with peers and curators
Share works-in-progress and receive actionable feedback
Explore contemporary queer art through guided discussions
Develop a new body of work aligned with exhibition opportunities
Gain visibility through features in Artsy.net exhibitions
Participate in optional online open studios, interviews, and podcast episodes
Join a cohort of international queer artists building visibility and resilience
Whether you’re returning to practice or preparing for exhibition, the virtual residency is structured to meet you where you are—and help you grow from there.
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Studio Access in a Queer Sanctuary
For artists based in or traveling to Mexico, we offer optional low-residency access to our studio in Cuernavaca. Artists arrange their own accommodations nearby and schedule dedicated time in the space to focus, experiment, or prepare for exhibitions.
Low-residency access includes:
Use of shared studio space in a quiet, garden setting
Scheduling support for access that aligns with your project timeline
The opportunity to host open studios or attend local cultural events
Access to our local network of artists, curators, and venues
Support integrating your studio time with upcoming TBQA exhibitions
This option provides a physical space to ground your work while staying connected to our virtual programming and international community.
REPRESENTED ARTISTS MODEL
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The Bureau of Queer Art’s Represented Artist model isn’t about exclusivity—it’s about building a lasting foundation between artist and platform. Artists invited into this structure are those who have demonstrated vision, commitment, and resonance with the community we’re creating.
Represented artists receive:
Year-round solo and group show visibility on Artsy.net
Priority access and discounts for exhibitions, fairs, and collaborative programs
Support with logistics, including shipping coordination and select studio visits
Curatorial mentorship to develop new bodies of work
Storage and transport coordination for recurring exhibitions
Regular publication features, podcast invitations, and social media promotion
This model creates a deeper support system—one that extends beyond a single project or show, integrating artists into the ongoing curatorial and public-facing life of TBQA.
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Representation at TBQA is a shared commitment, not a service model. We don’t ask for exclusivity, but we do ask for reciprocity.
We expect our represented artists to:
Maintain open and clear communication about their goals, timelines, and capacity
Contribute to TBQA’s shared vision of queer resilience through visibility
Engage with programming and publication opportunities when possible
Be transparent about other gallery or sales relationships to avoid overlap
Take initiative in presenting new ideas, opportunities, and work for collaboration
In turn, we continually invest in your development—not just to sell work, but to position your voice in the broader contemporary conversation.
This is how we build a sustainable and ethical artist ecosystem—together.
