Call For Artists – Collaborative Community Art Project Expression of Interest

Description

The West Vancouver Community Arts Council invites expressions of interest from artists or artist teams to design & facilitate the completion of a Collaborative Community Art Project – a temporary artwork, created with participation from the public, at the Silk Purse Arts Centre, West Vancouver, during the First Thursdays Art Walk 2020.

CONTEXT

The First Thursdays Art Walk invites members of the public to explore the neighbourhoods of Ambleside & Dundarave on a self-guided tour of local galleries, public art & community spaces. During the Art Walk visitors to the Silk Purse Arts Centre will have the opportunity to participate in the creation of the Collaborative Community Art Project.  

PROJECT PARAMETERS

The Collaborative Community Art Project will consist of:

• A 3-D artwork designed by selected artist(s) inspired by the Vision and Theme as described below.
• Artwork’s framework/structure built & installed by artist(s) prior to Art Walk launch.
• Artwork composed of recycled & eco-friendly materials.
• Members of the public of all ages & abilities, will contribute by adding materials & elements to the project, facilitated by artist(s)
•  Youth Workshop facilitated by artist(s) to work on the project.
• Artwork able to withstand the elements associated with the waterfront.
• Dimension: Max height 7′ Max diameter 7′.
• Artwork will be dismantled/recycled at the end of summer.

VISION AND THEME

A Cultural Conversation on Climate Change. Throughout 2020-21 the WVCAC intends to explore Arts & Culture’s role in addressing our current climate crisis. How can the Arts raise awareness & engage the public in this important discussion? How can the Arts make an impact? The Collaborative Community Art Project should address these questions through the design, the use of recycled and eco-friendly materials, & through the public’s participation in the completion of the artwork.

ELIGIBILTY

This opportunity is open to professional artists and artist teams who demonstrate the following:

• Are able to meet the deadlines & stay within approved budget.
• Have the skills & experience required to manage all phases of the implementation from design to construction to facilitation of community involvement.
• Reside in British Columbia.
• Have an understanding of the Vision and Theme.

BUDGET

The total budget available to the artist(s) is up to $3000. The budget is inclusive of all artist fees, studio overhead, framework fabrication, installation, dismantling, travel, transportation, & all taxes.

SELECTION PROCESS

The A Selection Panel will review all submissions & shortlist up to 3 artists/artist teams, who will be invited to interview with the Selection Panel. The interviewees will be asked to prepare an initial concept proposal for discussion at the interview; including a detailed design sketch or mock up, & a strategy for how the community can participate in adding materials to complete the artwork. Each shortlisted artist/artist team will receive a $200 presentation stipend.

The Selection Panel will make their final selection based on the alignment of the artist(s)’s vision with the objectives outlined in this document. If no submission warrants consideration, the Selection Panel reserves the right not to award the commission.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Letter of Interest. No longer than 1 page.
2. 1 page outline of the conceptual approach to this project.
3. Artist Resume or CV – If applying as an artist team please provide 1 for each artist.
4. Digital Images – Up to 10 examples of previously completed artwork. Please include artist names(s), title, year, size, location & medium.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

• Artists are asked to submit the information listed above as 1 PDF Acrobat format file, no more than 5 MB. Please do not secure the PDF file as there may be a need to extract an image for presentation to the Selection Panel. PDF formatted horizontally as it will be presented to the Selection Panel projected on a horizontal screen.
• Photos of artwork to be captioned on the same page, with the artist name(s), title, year, size, location & medium & other brief information you wish to communicate about the artwork.
• E-mail to submissions.wvcac@shaw.ca using subject line Art Walk Project

TIMELINE

Submission Deadline: March 2, 4:00pm

Selection Process Review: March 2- 8

Shortlist Notifications: March 9

Interviews: March 31-April 3

Artist(s) Notification: April 10

Framework Installation: By May 6

First Thursdays Art Walk: May 7, June 4, July 2, 6-8pm

Youth Workshop: TBD between June 4-July21

Unveiling and Reception: TBD

PROJECT SITE

The Silk Purse Arts Centre, 1570 Argyle Ave. West Vancouver, BC

Please direct any inquiries to Steven Snider, West Vancouver Community Arts Council Gallery and Communications Coordinator
P: 604-925-7292  E: steven.wvcac@shaw.ca

Submissions Deadline
March 2, 2020