CALL for ARTISTS
-- REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
NICK CAVE INSPIRED, ARTIST & COMMUNITY created “BEADED BLANKETS”
- DESIGN and FABRICATE FRAME EMBELLISHMENTS
- SCRIBE the STORIES of the BLANKETS
- PRESENT the STORIES of the BLANKETS for RECORDING purposes
PROJECT: The Shreveport Regional Arts Council will encase up to 20 of the “Beaded Blankets” – along with the story, artist’s credit, and the names of each contributor to the blanket - in a UV coated, protective Plexiglas and aluminum or steel shroud that is ornamented/festooned/embellished by selected artists so that each of the 20 “Beaded Blankets” is transitioned from a “blanket” into a new – unified - work of Art with a long-lifespan, displayed outside for easy Public Access as well as viewed through the Shreveport Common APP.
The sample of and measurements/specs for the framing structure are found at: https://www.shrevearts.org/specs
1. Selected Visual Artists will embellish the pre-fabricated frames to ensure that the Frame is in and of itself a Work of Art that is respectful and reflective of the “Beaded Blanket” that is encased. The FRAMES will be installed by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
2. Selected Literary Artists will research the stories of the Beaded Blankets and conduct follow up interviews as well as “analysis” to string the myriad of stories of each beaded 7’ strand into a cohesive story to share about the Blankets. The stories may include facts about the process of creating the Beaded Blankets!
3. Selected Performing Artists will be commissioned to perform/record these stories of the “Beaded Blankets,” and/or to narrate a “Beaded Blanket” biking/walking tour throughout Shreveport Common that will be included on the Shreveport Common APP.
RATIONALE: The Artists, Community Members, Social Service Residents, and Donors in Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana (NWLA) have invested more than one year working with internationally renowned Artist and Social Change activist, NICK CAVE. Now, the goal is to ensure that the Nick Cave AS IS residency leaves an indelible mark on the identity of Shreveport Common by commissioning NWLA Artists to “rethink the residency” by designing and fabricating artistic, one of a kind, frames that transition the “beaded blankets,” created and exhibited through the residency, into outdoor highly visible public artworks that are installed throughout the 9 blocks of Shreveport Common. Each FRAMED BEADED BLANKET is described on the Shreveport Common APP and a performing artist will share the story of the story. The project will culminate in a “Beaded Blanket Trail” that motivates residents and visitors to discover the vibrancy of Shreveport Common.
TIMELINE:
1. APPLICATION AVAILABLE: Tuesday, June 20
2. RFQ to be Completed no later than: Midnight, Wednesday, July 19 (5 weeks)
3. SELECTION OF ARTISTS ANNOUNCED: Monday, July 24
4. SELECTED ARTISTS CONTRACTING & ASSIGNMENT OF “BLANKETS” PROCESS: TUESDAY, July 25; 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM – MANDATORY MEETING @ the Central ARTSTATION, 801 Crockett Street, downtown Shreveport.
5. FINAL FRAME (S) DESIGN COMPLETE and SUBMITTED for APPROVAL: Friday, August 25 (one month)
6. CONSTRUCTION/FABRICATION PERIOD: Tuesday, August 29 – Thursday, November 2 (10 weeks)
7. FRAMES COMPLETE! STORIES COMPLETE: Friday, November 3
8. SRAC INSTALLATION: November 6 – December 15
9. Celebration of the “BEADED BLANKET TRAIL” – January 2018
FEES:
VISUAL ARTISTS - $1,500 per selected/assigned, completed, embellishment of a framed “Beaded Blanket” inclusive of the design, supplies, materials, and the fabricated work.
LITERARY ARTISTS - $250 per assigned, completed story to include the research to ensure that all contributors to the beaded blanket are credited. The story will be in the form of a script to be presented by a performing artist.
PERFORMING ARTISTS - $75 per 3.5 minute recorded story.
ELIGIBILITY: ALL Artists with an active registration on the NORTHWEST LOUISIANA (NWLA) ARTISTS’ DIRECTORY at the time of submission are eligible to apply. Please note: to have an active registration, an artist will have uploaded a bio/resume; artist’s statement, and at least 10 separate samples of work to the NWLA ARTISTS’ DIRECTORY.
Artists who wish to be considered for one of the three “Calls for Commissions” should review their Samples of Work on the NWLA ARTISTS’ DIRECTORY to determine if the Digital Samples document the ability to successfully complete this project.
For example, if you apply to write the stories of the Blankets, but have no literary samples of work on the NWLA Directory, the Selection Team has no means by which to review/judge your literary capability. It may be that you have 100 samples of Visual Artworks, but if there are no literary works, your application for the Literary Commission is unlikely to receive high merit.
For assistance in managing the NWLA DIRECTORY registration or uploads of new material, please call Casey Jones, 318-673-6500.
APPLICATION:
This is a REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS. INTERESTED ARTISTS will complete the application via the on-line “WUFOO” process. It will be assumed that an Application reflects a COMMITMENT to the project and the capacity to complete the project in accordance with the timeline. It is possible for an artist to be commissioned to design and complete multiple FRAMES, STORIES, and PERFORMANCES.
VISUAL and LITERARY ARTISTS: The application process requires that the interested applicant select ONE “BEADED BLANKET and its corresponding STORY” and write a “concept statement” addressing “how” you would uniquely approach the design work.
1. Visual Artists: You may include a concept sketch to illumine your ideas for embellishing your selected “Beaded Blanket” encasement; however it is not required. You should discuss your skill sets as you address your approach. For example, if you are going to embellish with additional metal, you should share that you have skills in welding or another skill set that ensures the jurors that you “can” achieve what you have envisioned. Sharing materials is helpful for the jurors to know that you are familiar with what products will bond with the steel framework.
2. Literary Artists: You may include a writing sample that directly relates to the Story of the “Beaded Blanket” that you have selected; however it is not required. You should use the story to share how your approach might add, revise, investigate, etc. what is already there.
SELECTION CRITERIA: A Selection Team comprised of Professional Artists and residents of the Shreveport Common area, to include residents and/or staff of the Social Service Organizations that participated in the Nick Cave AS IS residency will select Artists to create and fabricate the Designs for the Frames; the story writers, and the performers.
1. FRAME DESIGNERS/FABRICATORS:
A. Samples of Work that demonstrate skill in Design, Artistry, and an ability to complement the assigned pre-made “Beaded Blanket.” The selection of Artists will include a consideration of the Artist’s unique creativity and the degree to which the Artist conveys an ability to design in a manner that reflects, supports, and/or enhances the attributes of the encased “Beaded Blanket.“ (This may be addressed in the Artist’s Statement, Statement of Interest.) Selected Artists will be “assigned” through a mutually agreeable process a “Beaded Blanket(s)” upon which to design the frame. The “Beaded Blankets” and their corresponding stories are on the Shreveport Regional Arts Council Website: https://www.shrevearts.org/blankets
B. Safety: The frames will be highly accessible to the Public in Outdoor Locations that invite a “close look” and the potential for touch. The selection team will be sensitive to protruding embellishments that can cut, maim, or cause an accident and to the use of the materials for both a safe personal encounter and the expected minimum five-year life-span of the Frame.
C. Longevity: The Frames are expected to maintain vibrancy over a 5 year life-span. The Artist will be required to maintain the work at his/her expense for the first 15 months of the installation.
2. WRITING THE STORY SCRIPTS:
A. The degree to which the Artist demonstrates an ability and willingness to tell the authentic story of the “Beaded Blanket” in an interesting manner! Stories should not exceed 3.5 minutes when performed by the storyteller.
B. The degree to which the Artist demonstrates a willingness to engage additional research and interviews to more fully capture the true story of the “Beaded Blanket.” The “Beaded Blankets” and their corresponding – current - stories are on the Shreveport Regional Arts Council Website: https://www.shrevearts.org/blankets
3. PERFORMERS – STORYTELLERS AND NARRATORS:
A. The degree to which the Performer demonstrates professionalism and creativity in storytelling as evidenced in samples of recorded work as uploaded to the NWLA Directory to include the capacity of the voice to share multiple “speaking characters.”
B. The degree to which the Performer can “tell” rather than “read” the scripted story.
C. Performers do not create new information; they will present the stories that have been scripted. Interested Performers will be reviewed via the NWLA DIRECTORY.