out of towner looking for nyc area galleries

hello, i'm new here. so i'm sorry if this is a topic thats been well covered and tired.

i am based in kansas city but looking to get in on a group show or something in the nyc area. 
obviously if i do a google search i get pages and pages of venues that use the word 'gallery.'  so if anyone has some advice on venues that are more receptive to the "out of town, emerging, don't really know anyone in the area" sort of artist it would be greatly appreciated.

tyson