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, 2026KENRU
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, 2026How 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
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Send the square footage or wall length, ceiling height, and floor plan or photos. Installations have run in studios under 500 sq ft and galleries over 15,000 sq ft, and we adapt to your room.
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Tell us your preferred dates and whether you want a pop-up (3–5 days) or a full run (3–4 weeks). Include load-in and breakdown days. Please book at least 6 months out.
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We need 2–3 days of install access with about 8 hours per day, plus a breakdown day. Let us know about loading access, elevators or stairs, building hours, and whether the space is secure overnight.
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Hosts provide a certificate of insurance covering the exhibit dates, including coverage for loaned costumes and archival materials.
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Hosts provide display tables, picture frames, power access with extension cords, and a projection backdrop or curtains. We’ll send an exact list once your space is confirmed.
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Costumes and archival items need stable temperature, no direct sunlight, and controlled lighting. Have someone on site during open hours to greet visitors and keep an eye on the collection.
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Hosts cover the curator’s round-trip travel and lodging, and promote the exhibit through their own channels and community networks. We supply graphics, copy, and a sizzle reel 6 weeks before opening.
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Every stop partners with a local Black burlesque producer who co-produces the live programming and leads a fundraiser for a local legend or community show. If you already work with a producer, we’ll partner with them. If not, we’ll connect you with one from your area.
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.