Rough Gems
Rough Gems is Union Hall’s annual open call and collaborative curatorial training program. Surveying the landscape of opportunities available for creatives in Denver, we recognized that there were relatively few opportunities for emerging curators to submit work for consideration, receive portfolio reviews, and be awarded funds, when compared to similar opportunities for artists. Rough Gems was developed as a response to this gap; supporting artists, art historians, musicians, writers, students, producers and other creatives in developing their curatorial skills, and in turn supporting artists and broadening the voices responsible for exhibition-making.
Rough Gems has been reviewed in Denverite Magazine, 303 Magazine, Southwest Contemporary, and MCA Denver’s Blog.
Rough Gems by the numbers
300%
guest curators have created Rough Gems exhibitions since 2020
21
artists have exhibited their work through Rough Gems since 2020
97
increase in Rough Gems curator stipends since 2019
of respondents in a 2025 survey identified as female or non-binary
64%
of respondents in a 2025 survey identified as LGBTQIA2+
64%
of all Rough Gems curators since 2020 have been BIPOC/Latinx
38%
Rough Gems was designed to cultivate curatorial leadership and create accessible, real-world experience for emerging creatives through exhibition production and public engagement opportunities. The program emphasizes equitable compensation, mentorship, collaboration, and networking, while fostering a broad range of voices in the exhibition-making process.
Showcasing the work of three Denver-based curators/curatorial teams, Rough Gems grants access to Union Hall’s resources: paying equitable artist and curator stipends (aligned with or exceeding W.A.G.E. guidelines), and providing curatorial mentorship, planning support, full use of Union Hall’s facilities, assistance during installation and deinstallation, marketing support, press outreach and staffing.
2022 Rough Gems Curator
“The Rough Gems program gave me the understanding that I needed to allow my ideas to come to life. It was really fun to primarily work with local artists, and to uplift the voices in our community — I was happy that this was encouraged as part of the program. My Rough Gems experience was truly impactful as it has inspired me to co-curate further exhibitions and to begin working in arts administration.”
2024 Rough Gems Curator
“Rough Gems not only provides this essential space but also offers unwavering support and assistance throughout the process. The Union Hall team is exceptionally dedicated and attentive, offering the guidance and knowledge necessary to curate a successful exhibition. Their commitment has been instrumental in my growth and development as an emerging curator.”
