Application Closed
Number of Applications Allowed: 2
Images | Minimum:Min. 5, Maximum:Max. 5
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 5, Maximum:Max. 5
Eligibility: National
State: Arizona
Canal Convergence 2018: Request for Proposals
Deadline –July 31, 2017 11:59 PM (Mountain Time Zone)
Budget – Varies per category: range of $2,500 - $30,000 USD
Eligibility – All Local, National and International Artists (Including Individuals, Collectives, Groups & Teams)
Scottsdale Public Art seeks new and existing proposals for temporary interactive community artworks, hands-on workshops, live mural paintings, projections, music and performances to be featured during Canal Convergence │ Water + Art + Light 2018 at the Scottsdale Waterfront. Canal Convergence 2018 has been extended from one to two weekends, the dates for the event in 2018 are as follows:
Saturday / Sunday February 24 and 25, 2018 │ 4-10pm
Saturday / Sunday March 3 and 4, 2018 │ 4-10pm
Large scale public art installations will be featured during the full length of the event with installation happening prior to February 24th and de-installation after March 4th, 2017.
The hands-on workshops, live mural paintings, projections, music and performances will be chosen to be featured during one or both weekends of the event.
Next year’s event will focus on sustainability and we request that artists address this topic from various aspects – water conservation, sustaining life in the desert, the importance of our natural resources, environmental awareness and climate change. The use of solar power and biodegradable materials are encouraged.
OVERVIEW + HISTORY
Sonoran Desert Canal Culture
The Valley’s canal culture is rich in history reaching back to the Hohokam civilization of 300 B.C. –A.D. 1400. The ancient inhabitants developed a system of waterways that enabled their ability to farm the desert. Water channels were also a source for community gathering for recreation and respite. Today’s canals are still desert lifelines for human inhabitation managed by Salt River Project (SRP). SRP’s 131 miles of water and power utility corridors enable our modern cities to exist, thrive, and grow. For many modern city dwellers the canals are a place for walking and running, but for others the canals are invisible infrastructure—barely noticed and underappreciated. More information about the Valley’s canal system and its history is available at SRPnet.com
Scottsdale Waterfront
The completion in 2006 of the construction of the Scottsdale Waterfront was a milestone for Arizona’s canals with the Scottsdale Waterfront becoming the first development in the Valley to turn the canal into a destination with commercial, retail, residential, and cultural amenities. While this kind of use along waterways is common in other cities across the world, this was a first for Arizona. Over the years, the system of canals across the Valley has been used informally as a neighborhood amenity for recreational purposes—picnicking, jogging, and biking. In Arizona’s early days, people were known to canoe and water ski along the canals—activities that are no longer allowed. Many of Arizona’s canals now have improved pathways that run for miles, creating safe and enjoyable trails and corridors for both commuting and recreational purposes.
Scottsdale Public Art has worked closely with city departments as well as private developers to commission original works of temporary and permanent art, in addition to providing free community events at the Scottsdale Waterfront since its construction. Scottsdale Public Art works to: celebrate the natural qualities of the canal, bring community awareness to the canal and the Waterfront area as a unique asset, and use the entire canal open space as a forum for artistic expression.
Canal Convergence │ Water + Art + Light Events
Since 2012, Scottsdale Public Art has presented Canal Convergence annually at the Scottsdale Waterfront. These engaging and inspiring free events feature innovative large scale installations by local, national and international artists, hands-on activities and workshops, as well as live music and performances which provide a truly unique immersive experience. Canal Convergence has brought a new tradition to our Valley community and visitors, who each year gather and return to the banks of the Arizona canal.
Scottsdale is home to Arizona’s first and only urban canal waterfront. Scottsdale Waterfront is home to local commercial, corporate, and residential communities, and contributes to draw new audiences and locals to the downtown. The Arizona Canal offers many rich topics, but the focus of Canal Convergence events and artworks is on the canal architectural form—its function as a power and water utility corridor, and its history as a lifeline for humans in the Sonoran desert. Today this includes our connections to water within many contexts—sustainability, recreation, education, conservation, and protection.
Visit CanalConvergence.com for more information.
Scottsdale Public Art
The mission of Scottsdale Public Art is to serve as a leader in defining art in the public realm through creative place-making, signature cultural events, exhibitions, and installations — contributing to the community’s creative, cultural, and economic vitality. Visit ScottsdalePublicArt.org for more information about the program.
Selection + Submission Process + Schedule
Artists and artist teams are being asked to submit a preliminary proposal for new concepts or existing work for a variety of disciplines. Some of these are: temporary interactive community artworks, hands-on workshops, live mural paintings, projections, music and performances to be featured during Canal Convergence │ Water + Art + Light 2018. The event will take place at the Scottsdale Waterfront over two consecutive weekends: February 24 & 25, and March 3 & 4, 2018.
(All large scale installations are intended to remain during this entire period. All other programming will be chosen to be featured during one or both weekends of the event)
Next year’s event will focus on sustainability and we request that artists address this topic from various aspects – water conservation, sustaining life in the desert, the importance of our natural resources, environmental awareness and climate change.
We are looking for ideas big and small to activate a variety of sites at the Scottsdale Waterfront including the canal paths, grass areas, bridges, plazas, and surrounding infrastructure. Categories and budget range are as follows:
Budget up to $30,000
Land-based temporary art installations: seeking interactive art installations to be placed on the banks of the canal. Also looking for installations for Marshall Way Bridge, or art installations which provide shade for large open areas, as well as installations for Soleri Plaza. Placement will be determined by Scottsdale Arts staff.
(Installations will be up the entire duration of the event)
Budget up to $8,000
Dance Performance on-site.
(Will be chosen to be featured during one or both weekends of the event)
Budget up to $7,500
Projection and 3D mapping: Film, short films, animations screening.
(Will be chosen to be featured during one or both weekends of the event)
Budget up to $5,000
Workshops : Hands-on activities, social practice work, participatory events. (Applicants may submit portfolio of past workshops and activities. Once selected we will encourage artist to tailor workshop to a specific large-scale art installation which will be determined in August when selected artists are notified).
(Will be chosen to be featured during one or both weekends of the event)
Budget up to $6,500
Artist @ Work : Artist to be creating a site-specific work of art during the event: live demonstration of artwork, whether glass-blowing, photography, mural painting to name just a few and with components of community interaction.
(Will be chosen to be featured during one or both weekends of the event)
Budget up to$1,000 per band
Budget up to $750 per solo artist
Music performances.
(Will be chosen to be featured during one or both weekends of the event)
Submission Process
The selection process will be managed via http://www.callforentry.org (CaFE), a third-party online application service. To be considered, artists must create a profile on CaFE, format and upload images, and then complete the application prior to the application deadline.
All materials must be submitted according to the specifications outlined on CaFÉ. Please note that each artist or team may submit up to two ideas or artworks.
Submission Requirements
- Proposal Narrative -
- Describes the initial design concept as well as potential materials and fabrication methods to be explored following selection. This must also include a budget estimate.
PLEASE NOTE- Once proposals have been selected, Scottsdale Public Art will contract the selected artists and work with them to fully develop the concept, scale, budget, and technical details.
- Visual Materials -
Provide the following items to fully illustrate your proposal narrative as needed:
- Images of existing work being proposed for temporary installation on the banks of the Arizona Canal.
- Sketches, renderings, plan drawings, photos of models, video narratives or presentations of new ideas.
- Images of previous or existing work as examples for clarification of intended visual appearance and fabrication methods and technologies being described in proposal narrative.
- 5 Images of previous work.
- Resume or Artist Manifesto.
Questions/Follow Up
Questions regarding the project should be directed to Andrea Teutli, Assistant Director at Scottsdale Public Art at andreat@scottsdalearts.org
Keep in mind when submitting your proposal:
- http://www.scottsdalepublicart.org/temporary-art/installations/77
- https://www.facebook.com/canalconvergence/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkolucLUvaU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThOj-pjasbU
- We are looking for ideas big and small for a variety of sites in the Scottsdale Waterfront area along the canal, green areas, paths, and surrounding infrastructure. Please download the Info Pack titled as View/Floor Site Plan which contains images of each proposed location.
- You do not need to determine an exact location for your proposed project. The site will be determined in partnership with Scottsdale Public Art after the proposal has been selected.
- How does your proposal relate to the idea of water conservation or other issues of sustainability?
- Light, video, or suspended installations may use the surrounding infrastructure and architecture.
- Does your proposed idea have community engagement components? Is there a potential workshop which could be linked to your artwork?
- How would your project activate the Scottsdale Waterfront and draw people to the canal banks?
- Suggested themes: Water, art, light and human interaction, sustainable sources of water for the desert environment, laws of nature, and the intersection of contemporary art and human connection to the natural Sonoran Desert environment.
- Seasonal and/or solar events and the human connection to the natural Sonoran Desert environment.
- Sustainability
- Solar power is encouraged.
Schedule
*Schedule is subject to change
June 15, 2017 Request for Proposals released.
July 31, 2017 Submission deadline 11:59 PM (Mountain Time Zone)
August 1 - 11 Selection first round of pre-qualified artists will be asked to submit additional information.
August 14 -18 Notification of selected artists.
August 2016 Proposal development and contract negotiation
September 2016 Project development with Scottsdale Public Art
February 2017 Installation at the Scottsdale Waterfront
February 24 & 25 Canal Convergence | Water + Art + Light 2018
March 3 & 4, 2018
March 5-7, 2018 Removal of artwork