Your walls. Our legends. Host the traveling exhibition of Black burlesque history.

The history of Black burlesque, ready to install. Every(body) Wants to Be a Showgirl is a traveling exhibition with its own curator, installation plan, and programming, and it has drawn more than 1,600 visitors across four cities.

Black burlesque performers shaped American entertainment, fashion, and nightlife, mostly without credit. Every(body) Wants to Be a Showgirl puts that history on the wall. This traveling exhibition of costumes, archival photography, and live programming has drawn more than 1,600 visitors across four cities. It arrives ready to install, with its own curator, installation plan, and programming, in museums, galleries, theaters, libraries, and cultural venues.

200+

Black Burlesque performers showcased over four cities

1065

visitors in 23 days for our inagural Washington DC exhibition

550

visitors in Indianapolis over 25 days

Displayed at Dupont Underground  |  Washington DC, 2026

KENRU

Worn by Chicava Honeychild

Every Stop Gives Back

Each installation partners with a local Black producer to raise funds for a burlesque legend or a community show.

To date, the exhibit has raised more than $19,000 for Black artists: $9,000 in Davenport, $7,000 in Washington, DC, $2,000 in Minneapolis, and $1,200 for legend Shawna the Black Venus in Indianapolis.

When you host the exhibit, you’re not just hanging history on your walls. You’re investing in the people who keep the history alive.

Past Venues

Dupont Underground, Washington DC Rose Academy of Burlesque, Minneapolis, MN

Indianapolis Liberation Center, Indianapolis, IN Ecdysiast Arts Museum, Davenport, IA

Minneapolis

Washington DC

Davenport

Indianpolis

PA’ LANTE!

Tapestry by Mojo Deville

Displayed at Dupont Underground  |  Washington DC, 2026

How can I bring the exhibit to my city?


Pop-ups run 3–5 days and include curated costumes, archival photography, signage, installation, and an artist talk. Hosting starts at $3500 plus curator travel and lodging.

Hosts provide the space, a certificate of insurance, display tables, framing, power, and local promotion. Performances, workshops, and archival photo shoots can be added. Book at least 6 months out.

Add-on programming

Opening Gallery Party

A curated gallery party to launch the exhibit and celebrate the local community. We partner with local non-profits and small businesses to provide a relaxing atmosphere to view the collection.

Classes and Workshops

We partner with local burlesque academies, pole studios and college campuses to provide burlesque and business development classes.

Artist Panel & Fireside Chat

Conversations by leading archivists, historians, artists and curators free for the public.

What we need from you

FAQs

How long does installation take?

1

Typically installation takes 2-3 days with 8-hour access to the installation space.


Can the exhibit fit a smaller space?

2

Yes! Our installations have been in studio spaces less than 500 square feet and gallery spaces over 15,000 square feet.


What’s the difference between a pop-up and a full run?

3

A pop-up runs 3–5 days with 4-6 costumes and select archival photography. A full run lasts 3–4 weeks with the expanded installation.


What does it cost to host a pop up?

4

Starting at $3,500, plus curator travel and lodging.

Winner’s Circle