“In 1986, The New Museum began lengthy discussions in-house and with its Artists Advisory Board concerning the nature of exhibitions. Inspired by the desire to expand the Museum’s boundaries both physically and conceptually beyond the realm of traditional exhibition formats, these discussions asked a variety of questions, such as: "Instead of doing ‘exhibitions,’ what if the Museum focused on ideas, events, and situations?” From these discussions came a letter, sent to nearly two hundred artists, asking them to submit proposals for ‘experimental and provocative projects… which would utilize the Museum’s space and resources in challenging ways.’ The guidelines were deliberately vague; for instance, the project could be of any duration, or it could be a collaboration involving individuals from communities and fields other than the art world. In response, almost fifty proposals were received, and many have been scheduled within the next eighteen months. Thus, the New Museum is proud and pleased to inaugurate a new and ongoing program: Artists Projects.

Artists Projects were made possible, in part, by generous grants from the New York State Council on the Arts; Art Matters, Inc; and the British Council.“