The largest outdoor temporary public art project in the American South, Art on the Atlanta BeltLine seeks to include visual artists, performers, musicians and historic preservationists; placing working professionals alongside emerging artists.  Visual and performing artists are invited to submit proposals for Art on the Atlanta BeltLine 2018. Scheduled opening in July 2018, temporary works of visual art and performances will be exhibited along the linear greenspace of the Atlanta BeltLine corridor for up to a year.

The Atlanta BeltLine is an emerging system of parks, trails, transit and economic development that reclaims mostly abandoned rail corridors. With an emphasis on public spaces, improved transportation, cultural amenities and revitalizing neighborhoods, it has the potential to redefine the city and make it a better place to live, work and play. Find additional information about the Atlanta BeltLine at www.beltline.org.

Historic, environmental, cultural, functional, urban design, and/or aesthetic aspects of the site may be good starting points to consider. Projects should be well-researched, well-planned and feasible. Although not limited to the following examples, potential projects might include all or some of the following:

·         Temporary art, sculptural or visual installations;
·         Amenities for visitors – such as benches, bike racks, shade structures;
·         Gateway or entrance works;
·         Performance works of all kinds, including but not limited to street and travelling performers, parade, music, dance, theater and performance art;
·         Utilization of fences or screening devices;
·         Loan of existing artwork, such as sculptures or assemblages;
·         Murals;
·         Environmental works;
·         School or class projects

For examples of previously funded projects, visit art.beltline.org

Interdisciplinary approaches, innovative uses (or re-uses) of materials and new technologies are encouraged. Applicants may wish to consider ways in which some level of community involvement can be facilitated in the creation of the projects.

Proposed materials shall be modestly priced and durable, requiring minimal maintenance in an outdoor setting. All works must be designed to be safely removed at the end of the designated period, or disintegrate safely into the environment. Works and performances not suitable for all ages/audiences or containing materials deemed to be dangerous, toxic, or hazardous to public safety will NOT be accepted. All construction, installation and de-installation methods must be adequate and safe for public interaction. Projects must last throughout the exhibition period; however, we are also interested in performance works or ephemeral works that could be scheduled to occur periodically throughout the timeframe.
 

Artists, Collectives, and Professionals are invited to submit proposals to any of the following:

o   BeltLine Walls – A two week long mural festival at the beginning of August. Artists will work on their walls side by side for the duration of the festival, culminating in a grand reveal and community celebration at the end of the festival.

o   Performance Series – Artists are invited to perform along the Atlanta BeltLine corridor throughout the timeframe of the exhibition. These performances are not limited in number of times the performances may occur, nor are they subject to any specific dates on which performances must occur. These are designed to act as a pop-up style events to creatively activate and celebrate the corridor in many locations.

o   BeltLine Concert Series - Unlike its pop-up style counterpart, these may take place in several BeltLine parks including Historic Fourth Ward Park, Gordon White Park, The Skate Multipurpose Field, and Piedmont Park. The Concert Series provides opportunities for artists that have technical requirements, and those who need a fixed location. The dates for these will be: August 18th and 25th

o   Inertia– Artists and Professionals are invited to submit proposals for this year’s sculpture exhibition along the Atlanta BeltLine corridor. Sculptures may simultaneously function as a bench, pavilion, or other infrastructural component.

o   Lecture Series – Artists and Professionals are invited to submit proposals for panel or individual discussion that will address topics related to Arts & Culture, Ethics & Responsibility, Equity, Affordability, Science & Education, and Transit.

o   Special Projects – We invite Atlanta arts and culture organizations to submit proposals that use the Atlanta BeltLine to show your work/project, host a pop-up event, and many other exciting ideas.

LOCATIONS/SITES

Proposed projects will be presented in the following sections of the Atlanta BeltLine.

All exhibit space is outdoors:

1. Between Montgomery Ferry Road and Monroe Drive (Northeast Trail – interim hiking trail)
2. Between Monroe Drive and Irwin Street (Eastside Trail)
3. Between Kirkwood Avenue and Memorial Drive in Reynoldstown (Eastside Trail Extension – interim hiking trail)
4. Between Lena St. and Allene Ave. (Westside Trail)

Submissions do not have to be site specific. Following selection, artists will work with Atlanta BeltLine to select an exhibit location. Additional spaces may become available as the project progresses. Exhibition locations are subject to change due to construction or other factors. Applicants will be notified of any changes.

PERFORMANCE DATES

Performances may occur along the Atlanta BeltLine corridor. However, on specific dates, concerts will be programmed allowing for a greater level of technical support. Performing artists and musicians should keep the following dates available.

September                         15, 22  
 

Some of our performance locations include: along paved portions of the Eastside and Westside Trails, the outdoor theater in Historic Fourth Ward Park, Gordon White Park, on the stage structure in Reynoldstown north of Memorial Drive, north of Evelyn Street near Piedmont Park, and on the Atlanta BeltLine corridor off Allene Ave.

You are encouraged to explore the trails on your own to be better informed about the terrain and history of the Atlanta BeltLine. Download the 2017 Art on the Atlanta BeltLine brochure from art.beltline.org for maps showing the trails and exhibition areas. Our interactive map at art.beltline.org/map shows the entire corridor and existing exhibition locations.

BUDGET

There is no budget cap. But please note that funds are limited, and in last year’s awards, the average amount presented was $2,600 with amounts ranging between $500 and $6,000. Of the total grant amount, artists should incorporate a minimum of 20 percent as an artist’s fee in the budget that must be submitted with each proposal. The award will cover the design (including artist’s fee), fabrication, shipping, installation, maintenance, and de-installation of the project. Artists may solicit contributions of materials or cash from other sources.

TIMELINE
Call for artist proposals published: February 2
Information Sessions: ONLINE
Deadline for submissions:5:00pm Friday March 16, 2018
Panel review: Week of March 19th, 2018
Accepted entries notified: Week of March 26th, 2018
Artist orientations: TBD
Installation period: Varies by project
Exhibition opens:July
Deinstallation Completed: Varies by project

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Information sessions will be hosted at our offices in downtown Atlanta, in the Equitable Building, to provide additional information and answer questions about your proposals and this exciting project:

11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 24, 2018 
Location: Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Office [Downtown]
100 Peachtree St. NW | Suite 2300 | Atlanta, GA 30303

                                             
Online – A video session will be available on ABI’s website (www.art.beltline.org).
We will also be visiting local NPU to discuss the RFP and submission process.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Each proposal submitted will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Concept

·         Is the artwork/performance original?
·         How does the work reflect the concepts of adventure, discovery, and exploration
·         Does the work fit in with the overall concept of the Art on the Atlanta BeltLine project?
Artistic Merit/Quality

·         Does the project demonstrate high artistic merit?
·         Is it artistically engaging and stimulating? Will it be appreciated by the general public?
·         Do the other examples of work submitted support the artistic merit/quality of the proposal?
Feasibility

·         Is the proposed budget reasonable?  Can the project be executed for the requested amount?
·         Does the artist have the experience to execute the proposal?
·         Would the piece negatively impact the public’s health & safety in any way? (e.g. no sharp edges or elements which might present a possible danger to the public)

Visual

·         Will the structural and artistic integrity be maintained for the duration of the exhibition or the intended duration of the proposal?

Performance

·         Is the proposal feasible based on experience, budget, and infrastructure/tech requirements?

Community Engagement 

·         How does the work engage its audience?
·         Does it impact the way a viewer thinks or feels?
·         Is it interactive, produced on site, use the neighborhood or volunteers?

SUBMISSIONS*

All materials must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday March 16, 2018.

If you would like to submit your documents electronically, please go to art.beltline.org, and see link on the right side of the page. Please submit files in a single PDF format where possible. Submissions will also be accepted through CAFÉ (http://www.callforentry.org/). Please check art.beltline.org for details.

If you would like to submit your documents by U.S. mail or walk in, please submit a USB containing your materials. All hardcopy materials must be on 8 ½ x 11 paper. Hard copy materials will not be returned. Please address all materials to:

Art on the Atlanta BeltLine
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
100 Peachtree St. NW
Suite 2300
Atlanta, GA 30303

Submissions must include the following materials:

1. Title of the piece
2. A one sentence summary describing the proposed work;
3. Contact information for all team members including name, address, telephone, email address;
4. Biographical information for principal team members;
5. A written narrative describing your proposal, performance, or existing piece – What is the piece and what does it mean? (NOT TO EXCEED 250 WORDS);
6. List of materials and step by step installation plan. For performers, list technical requirements and a step by step load-in and strike plan;
7. Detailed budget showing how much is being requested, how the budget will be used, source for materials, and artist's fee.
8. Visual Artists should submit at least three sketches, showing scale, dimensions, and elevation of the proposed or existing work; five images of previous work (JPEG or PDF) or related projects of recent artworks (not to exceed 1024 x 768 pixels at a minimum of 150 dpi provided on disk or uploaded) accompanied by a sheet with description of each work sample;
9. Performing Artists should submit a brief description and context for work samples. The samples should be on a DVD or provide a URL to an online source;
10. Musicians may submit a work sample on USB or a URL to an online source;

For questions or further information, please contact:
Miranda Kyle
Program Manager, Arts & Culture
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
mkyle@atlbeltline.org
404-477-3636

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria