Call to Artists for exhibition of temporary sculptures
The Baltimore Festival of The Arts (BFAI) seeks to commission temporary sculptures for Artscape festival, August 2-4, 2024. Artscape aims to create a walkable creative corridor adorned with diverse, installation-based artwork along N. Charles Street and Mt Royal Ave corridor. Projects should actively engage the audience and provide a unique and memorable experience for festivalgoers. Works should be visually compelling through design, color, and scale, and be interactive wherever possible. Projects are commissioned based on the quality of design, durability, cost, safety, and factoring in heavy use by large crowds attending Artscape. These projects are temporary in nature and BOPA/BFAI will not underwrite repairs, restoration, etc. after their use at Artscape.
Guideline Criteria:
● Artists are encouraged to use the pedestrian nature of Artscape to create D.I.Y. and low-cost temporary artworks
● Artists are encouraged to use the festival’s color palette broadly, creatively incorporated into proposed projects
● Works should be visually compelling through design, color, and scale, and be interactive wherever possible
● Artist installations must be installed by artists who will also be responsible for monitoring of their work and space.
● Unique lighting or illumination of artwork is encouraged but not required
● Artworks requiring generators, tents, volunteer assistance, seating are not preferred
● Artists and artist collaborative groups working in the visual arts are encouraged to apply.
● Artworks may be already existing pieces of pieces of work (Prefabricated artworks are preferred)
Requirement:
● Art Design submissions: One page Max, 11”x17”, horizontal/landscape orientation, PDF format, at least one scale rendering/drawing of artwork (artist may choose scale), maximum 200 words describing the artwork and experience offered festivalgoers.
● Optional: reference images/drawings that support and describing the concept.
● Artwork designs must consist of family-friendly images and material content
● Artworks must be constructed with durable materials able to withstand inclement weather, winds, heat, and rain.
● Projects are expected to be active / on display during all the operating hours of the festival
● Artworks must be safe and suited for an outdoor environment; an engineer’s review of installation may be required at BOPA’s discretion.
● Projects will be required to have General Liability Insurance to participate in Artscape.
● Commissioned artists must provide a complete IRS-W9 to receive honorarium and project funds.
● Artist is responsible for transport delivery, assembly, installation, exhibition logistics and deinstallation of artwork
● Onsite installation and de-installation must occur according to times set by BFAI
● Artists must check-out with Artscape staff immediately after de-installation is complete to ensure that the works have been properly dismantled and removed from the site.
● Artist must agree: BFAI reserves the right to reproduce images of selected artwork for printed or internet publicity, catalogue, map, or marketing purposes.
● Artwork installations must be fully accessible, free, and open to the public the entire Artscape weekend.
● Installation of artworks must be completed by August 2, 2024, at 12:00pm.
● Deinstallation of artworks must be completed by August 5, 2023, at 7:00am
Budget and Compensation:
● Budgets up to $5,000 will be awarded based on the needs of the project and the project scale for proposals for N. Charles St and Mt Royal Ave.
● Final funding amounts will be awarded based on review of proposals and discussion with the artists about construction, logistics and staffing.
● No additional funds will be allocated to artists for “overruns” including but not limited to supplies, staffing, logistics and fabrication.
● BFAI will administer project funds and artist honorarium upon execution of artist agreement.
Commission Award:
● Projects will be reviewed by the Artscape curator and BFAI Staff.
● BFAI will issue (4) commissions maximum for N. Charles St, three (3) for Mt Royal Ave
● Commission award notifications will be released on April 2, 2024
Timeline:
● 02/20/24: Call to Artists
● 03/19/24: Application deadline
● 03/25/24: Panel Review of submissions
● 04/02/24: Award Notification, Artist Contracting
● 07/31/24 to 08/02/24: Installation timeline
● 08/05/24: Deinstallation deadline
Contact:
● For any questions specific to this commission please contact Lou Joseph at ljoseph@promotionandarts.org
Kidscape is returning for Artscape 2024! This year’s themes include: Refresh, Personify, Bright, Uplift, and Grace. Kidscape will take place outdoors at Gordon Plaza, located at the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Mt. Royal Avenue, on the campus of University of Baltimore and across from The Lyric.
Kidscape takes place Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 11am-7pm (note: the larger Artscape festival is Friday, August 2 – Sunday, August 4). Details regarding load-in and other logistics will be provided upon acceptance as a vendor.
BOPA welcomes applications from individual artists and non-profit organizations to curate tableside programming for Kidscape targeted for children ages 5-12, with the following guidelines in mind:
- Tableside activities only; movement-based or audio-based activities may not be given preference. Examples of favorable tableside activities from previous Kidscape years include soap-making, button-making, coloring book pages, LEGO’s building, Play-Doh building, and puppet/prop exploration.
- All programming must be offered FREE for families. Selling merchandise or accepting donations is not permissible. However, you may collect sign-ups and contact information from festival goers. Vendors will not be paid for their participation; this is a volunteer-based opportunity.
- Activities that can be physically accessible, cognitively accessible, and/or sensory-friendly are ideal. This includes activities with minimal noise, relatively mess-free (or easily cleanable), and does not require physical talent/strength from the kids.
If accepted as a Kidscape programmer, BOPA will provide the following accommodations:
- 1 table and 2 chairs per vendor.
- Tents for coverage.
- 1 porta-potty nearby.
- 1 BOPA staff person and 2 volunteers dedicated to Kidscape, to assist with logistics, safety, crowd control, etc.
Please contact Twi McCallum, tmccallum@promotionandarts.org, if you have any questions or need application help.
Teenscape is returning for Artscape 2024! This year’s vision and themes include: Refresh, Personify, Bright, Uplift, and Grace. Teenscape is offering an inaugural program called Youth Artist Market, which is a space for youth in grades 8-12 (ages 13-19) with a creative entrepreneurial spirit to operate their tableside business at the Kidscape section of Artscape. This is a FREE opportunity, and youth entrepreneurs can retain all income as a vendor.
Teenscape takes place Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 11am-7pm (note: the larger Artscape festival is Friday, August 2 – Sunday, August 4). Details regarding load-in and other logistics will be provided upon acceptance as a vendor.
BOPA welcomes applications from youth vendors ages 13-19 (grades 8-12), but this application must include contact information for a parent/guardian. Please keep the following guidelines in mind:
- A parent/guardian age 21+ is required to be present at the Youth Artist Market at all times with the youth entrepreneur. The parent/guardian is required to sign a permission slip upon acceptance into the program on behalf of the student.
- Youth entrepreneurs may sell original books, crafts, jewelry, clothing, artwork, music albums, and other original merchandise. Original is defined by BOPA as being the artist’s personal work, and not a re-selling of someone else’s existing work. For example, it is not permitted to sell merchandise Shein, Fashion Nova, WalMart, etc.
- Merchandise, artwork, and crafts must be family-friendly. Youth vendor cannot sell items that advertises, promotes, or glorifies illegal, violent, or raunchy activity.
- Selling of food, snacks, and beverages is NOT allowed.
- Youth entrepreneurs must provide their own point of sales (POS) system; a means to accept cash and/or digital payments.
- Youth entrepreneurs must provide their own tablecloth, marketing materials, and table decor.
If accepted as a Teenscape Youth Artist Market vendor, BOPA will provide the following accommodations:
- 1 table and 2 chairs per vendor.
- Tents for coverage.
- 1 porta-potty nearby.
- 1 BOPA staff person and 2 volunteers dedicated to Kidscape, to assist with logistics, safety, crowd control, etc.
Please contact Twi McCallum, tmccallum@promotionandarts.org, if you have any questions or need application help
Artscape is now accepting submissions for the Artist Market section of the festival. The festival draws thousands of visitors each year. The 40th annual Artscape will run Friday August 2nd – Sunday August 4th 2024.
The Artist Market at Artscape is a juried show. A panel of professional artists will score each applicant’s submitted photographs and description of materials/technique. This is a blind process. The panel of jurors changes each year, and scores are final.
This year one area of the market will be designated as The Emerging Artist Market. This additional market space is dedicated to local emerging Baltimore City based artists ONLY who are first time festival participants. This program provides a tent and space in the Artists' Market at no charge. A limited number of artists will be selected for this competitive program. Artists denote on their application if they qualify.
The Artist Market highlights artists who create and execute original, professional quality work. In order to be considered for an Artist Market space, all work displayed must be produced by the exhibiting artist or collaboration, and must be consistent with the images submitted. Artists may only exhibit art in the category in which they were accepted into the Artist Market.
GUIDELINES/CRITERIA FOR ARTISTS
Artist market applicants will be judged on the following criteria:
Artistic Quality
o Assess the uniqueness and originality of the artist's work.
o Skill and technique - evaluate the level of technical skill demonstrated in the artwork.
o Consistency in quality - is the quality of work is consistent across different pieces?
Craftsmanship
o Attention to detail - precision and attention to detail in the creation of the artwork.
o Assess the overall presentation of the artwork.
Market Presence
o Artist demonstrates an ability to present a professional and consistent market setup.
o Evaluate how well artist's brand is presented and how cohesive their body of work is.
Relevance to Artist Market
o Artist's work fits in with the overall mission of the Artscape Artists’ Market – to present a rich tapestry of original, professional artists and makers.
Adherence to Policies
o Artist and their wares comply with the rules and policies set by BOPA and the Artscape Artist Market.
Artist Market prohibits the following:
• Multiple employee studios engaged in production work are not eligible to participate.
• Absolutely no buy-sell.
• Items made using commercial molds or patterns and hobby crafts are ineligible.
• Weapons – including knives, swords, etc.
Jury Process
A panel of seven (7) arts administration professionals will score each applicant’s submitted photographs and description of materials/technique. The Artscape jury process is blind (jurors do not see artists’ names, hometowns or histories of participating in Artscape). The panel of jurors for the Artist Market changes each year. Jury scores are final.
Based on the score between 1 and 10, applicants in each discipline will be placed into one of three categories: accepted, not accepted and waitlist. The process is closed to the public.
Festival Staff utilize jury scores to select Artist Market participants from each discipline, to create a fair, balanced and dynamic show. Artists are pulled from the waitlist based on space availability, score in their discipline and the vision of Artscape organizers for a successful Artist Market. Inclusion in the Artist Market, or any section of Artscape, ultimately is at the discretion of BOPA Staff.
Average number of applications submitted each year:
275
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event:
110
VENDOR RULES & GUIDELINES
Exhibitor Rules:
Artists violating the rules of this show or who fail to cooperate with the Festival Staff will not be permitted to exhibit. The show will be monitored for misrepresentation and we reserve the right to remove any questionable, non-approved artwork from the show.
• Stand alone / pop-up tents are prohibited.
• Unauthorized / unapproved use of any festival space is prohibited.
• Exhibitor set-up is confined to the purchased tent footprint.
• Storage areas located behind or outside the tent footprint is prohibited.
• Artist vendors must provide their own point of sale system
• Artist vendors must bring their own extension cords or any other equipment needed for booth setup
• No sound systems in tents.
• Artist Market artists may only exhibit and sell their own original artwork.
• Artists may share space with another artist or apply as a collective. All artists work must be represented on the application.
• Participants agree that Artscape shall have the right to reproduce digital images or the reproductions of selected artwork for publicity or marketing purposes.
• Exhibitors may not re-sell, share with an unaccepted exhibitor or sublet any portion of their space – unless approved by the festival director. This includes media partners, corporate sponsors, and any/all third-parties. Violations will result in expulsion from the festival, with no refund.
Exhibitors must keep their space open all hours of the festival weekend, rain or shine.
FESTIVAL HOURS
Friday: 12:00PM-10:00PM
Saturday: 11:00AM – 10:00PM
Sunday: 11:00AM – 5:00PM
IMPORTANT DATES
• Application for the Artist Market will close on March 19, 2024
• You will be notified of acceptance status on April 10, 2024
• Info Sessions will be announced after acceptance.
Artist Market Exhibitor Packages
Artist Market Exhibitor Packages begin at $500 (for 10’x10’x7’space) and include:
• Festival provided tent with sidewall, all spaces have a 10’x10’ footprint. Pop up tents, and space additions are prohibited.
• Artists’ Market Fee Scale:
o Application Fee: $25
o Please note requests for 10X10X10 spaces don't guarantee acceptance.
o Resident artists at School 33 Arts Center and the Bromo Arts Tower, please make a note of your residency on your application
• Free access to an electrical outlet and basic overhead lighting
• Overnight roaming security
• Exhibitor Hospitality at check-in (snacks and bottled water)
• Listing on Artscape website
Contact: Fesseha Demassae fdemassae@promotionandarts.org
By submitting an application, you agree to and accept all festival terms and conditions.
Artscape is now accepting applications for pop-up performances. These performances will take place throughout the festival’s footprint and could be stationary or roaming. The festival draws thousands of visitors each year. The 40th annual Artscape will run Friday August 2nd – Sunday August 4th, 2024.
Artists will perform unique, original, professional quality work that seeks to captivate and engage audiences. This includes anything from live painting, to dance troupes, to stilt walkers to any other captivating content! To be considered for a performance slot, all work MUST be produced by the exhibiting artist or collaboration and MUST be consistent with the images/description submitted.
Please be as descriptive as possible when describing your act. Include any relevant photos or videos, links, or descriptive language about your performance.
RULES & GUIDELINES
Artists violating the rules of this show or who fail to cooperate with the Festival Staff will not be permitted to perform. The show will be monitored for misrepresentation, and we reserve the right to remove any questionable, non-approved performance from the show.
- Performers may only exhibit their own original work.
- Performers must provide all necessary equipment, transportation, costumes, as well as any additional items needed to perform.
- Performers may apply as individuals or as a collective. Group or individual status must be indicated on the application.
- Performer shall obtain all licenses at its sole cost and expense prior to date of performance. BOPA will not be responsible for any loss or damage to performers property.
- Unauthorized/unapproved use of any festival space is prohibited.
- Performances must include “family friendly” content that is appropriate for all ages.
- Participants agree that Artscape shall have the right to reproduce digital images or the reproductions of selected artwork for publicity or marketing purposes.
- Performers are solely responsible for expense costs that exceed performance budget.
- Performers will be scheduled for a specific time slot during the festival. Performers must execute their act in the agreed upon time and location only.
- If you are only available during certain days/times of the festival, please indicate that on your application.
- Parking is limited – rideshare or carpool is strongly encouraged.
Prohibited Activities Include: Performances including sexual content, depictions of death or extreme violence, political campaigning, and product solicitation.
Artscape takes place rain or shine. However, in the event of dangerously inclement weather, Artscape reserves the right to close the event.
FESTIVAL HOURS
- Friday: 12:00AM-10:00PM
- Saturday: 11:00AM – 10:00PM
- Sunday: 11:00AM – 5:00PM
Important Dates:
· Applications for pop-up performances will close on March 19th
· Applicants will be notified of acceptance no later than April 19th
Performers will receive 50% payment upon contract signing, and 50% payment net thirty (30) days after completion of festival.
BOPA will hold information sessions for performing artists, the date of which will be announced after applications close. BOPA will also conduct an on-site walkthrough to ensure performers are clear about load-in, performance locations on the footprint, parking, and other key information.
By submitting an application, you agree to and accept all festival terms and conditions.