29 Mar ARTSparks Call for Artists–Occidental Square 2011

Call for Artists
ARTSparks—a partnership between Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, and 4Culture’s Site Specific Program—is seeking proposals for arts projects to be temporarily installed and/or performed in Occidental Park, within the time-frame of June through October 2011. Any and all arts disciplines are welcome.

Individuals and organizations are asked to submit one to three distinct proposals for how they would implement a specific project in this unsecured public space. Collaborations or simultaneous projects are welcome. Final negotiations and scheduling of projects will be determined after proposals are chosen.

A map and a one-page introduction to Occidental Square Park are attached. Please note the boundaries to the park. Applicants are encouraged to visit and familiarize themselves with the park before designing or submitting their ideas.

Background
Vision for ARTSparks program:
ARTSparks converts Occidental Square Park into a showcase for the creative imagination from June through September. Using this public space as art space, artists may produce temporary sculpture, environmental installations, media art, street theater, dance, music, or whatever their imaginations might devise to bring the challenge and spark of art into the day- to-day of this downtown public space. Proposals may range from small, seemingly random surprises to larger projects lasting 4 weeks or more. The end result: Occidental Square Park becomes a place where art and life entwine—where one goes to catch some of the freshest work coming out of the arts community—and where, simply by entering the park, people are welcomed into an artistic experience.

Impetus for the program:
ARTSparks is part of the Downtown Parks Renaissance Initiative to make our downtown parks the lively, safe, and welcoming public spaces they should be. Artists and artistic creations are one of our most powerful tools to bring positive life into the public realm and to inspire human connections through inquiry and play.

Eligibility
Applicants must have demonstrated experience in producing public arts events or installations. Priority will be given to applicants with experience producing programs in outdoor, public settings in collaboration with one or more sponsoring organizations.

Application Deadline
Application postmarked by Friday, May 6, 2011 and mailed to
4Culture
attn: ARTSparks
101 Prefontaine Place South
Seattle, WA 98104-2672

Or delivered by 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 6, 2011 to
4Culture
attn: ARTSparks
101 Prefontaine Place South
Seattle, WA 98104-2672

To get more information about applying, the grant, and the process, click here.

See a previous post about last year’s ARTSparks program here.