Take the Stage - Shakespeare on the Plaza 2017 Call for Temporary Art Installation/Set Prop Design Civic Plaza, Albuquerque, NM Deadline: Monday February 6th, 2017 4:00 pm local Albuquerque time (MT) Albuquerque's Public Art Program in collaboration with the Shakespeare on the Plaza event produced by the Vortex Theatre in collaboration with the City of Albuquerque Community Events Division, Cultural Services and the Albuquerque Convention Center Management, SMG, is pleased to sponsor TAKE THE STAGE, a national design competition for a public, interactive art installation on Civic Plaza, which will also serve as the setting for Shakespeare on the Plaza s summer repertory of plays. The winning design will be built and administered in collaboration with Shakespeare on the Plaza, The Department of Cultural Services, SMG, and other public and private partners. Artists are invited to submit preliminary concept proposals for a temporary public art installation as an integral part of the summer 2017 season production functioning both as an artistic element of the set for the performance series, as well as an interactive object located on Civic Plaza during non-performance times. Photographic documentation of the final construction, as well as the artist s renderings will become part of the City's permanent collection in order to meet the permanent artwork acquisition requirements of the 1% for Art program while the structure itself is fabricated by the event producers for the temporary display and use during June and July 2017. Shakespeare on the Plaza is an unabashedly public theatre program that seeks to narrow the gap between audience and the theatrical art form. The fusion of outdoor performance space and interactive installation is a nationally-unique concept that furthers the public mission of Vortex Theatre to connect and engage our audience. The Shakespearian plays being performed for the 2017 season are Macbeth and Comedy of Errors (a complete schedule of the performances is attached at the end of this document). The objectives of TAKE THE STAGE Shakespeare on the Plaza are to select a set design project that: Embrace our public mission to narrow the gap between audience and art form. Relate thematically to the two plays in the summer season: Macbeth and Comedy of Errors. Possible connecting themes include: Illusions, Mistakes, Light and Dark, Lost and Found Incorporate elements that can be easily and quickly added for performance, altering the look or feel of the set. Allow manipulation of elements to create sound or simple effects. Consider the heat of Albuquerque s daytime sun and use materials that will not become 1
dangerous to touch because of temperature. Can be built from final plans submitted by the artist. Can be built with materials and labor not exceeding $10,000. Performance Logistics 300-500 people will attend each show. The audience will be sitting in chairs or on the ground. Between 10-15 actors will be performing in each play. The plays start at 7:30pm and end around 9:30pm. Theatrical lighting will be used once it is dark. Eligibility and Funding Funding is available to artists 18 years of age and older, residing in the United States. The project budget is $6,500 for the artist design fee, with the event producers covering the cost of the fabrication and installation up to $10,000 and possible additional in-kind support. Additional Information The temporary artworks will be located within the areas outlined aerial and perspective images of Civic Plaza on the last page of this document. The intent for the temporary artwork is to remain on the plaza accessible to the public 24/7 for approximately one month; Structures that can be moved, reused or relocated for future uses will be considered an added value to the project. Artworks can be interactive but must be safe and secure at all times. Artwork should be able to literally and figuratively stand on its own without actual performances happening. As is required of all City of Albuquerque funded temporary public art projects, proposals for works of art that include subject matter such as the apparent representation of violence, inappropriate nudity, denigration of individuals or cultures, or desecration of significant cultural symbols, will be reviewed for their appropriateness for public display. Proposals for works of art that include religious subject matter or symbols may be placed in a public space as long as it is not in a location where it can be revered and is solely for the purpose of exhibiting cultural or historical traditions. The City of Albuquerque Public Art program may or may not opt to retain the temporary work of art for a period longer than the actual month-long Shakespeare on the Plaza performances, including accessioning it into the permanent Public Art Collection. However, if the City does not opt to retain the temporary work, the Shakespeare on the Plaza partners shall choose the artwork s ultimate disposition, and will be responsible for the de-installation and removal from Civic Plaza upon the conclusion of the Shakespeare on the Plaza events. 2
Completed Project Documentation Requirements If selected for the project, the artist is required to submit a brief project description to the Public Art Program Coordinator within 30 days of project completion. The description must include a written narrative of no more than 1,000 words. The selected artist will be required to submit original or high quality reproductions of the original renderings of the final set design schematics. Submission Materials Resume (no more than 3 pages), including relevant work history. 5-10 JPGs of previous work which may include samples of artwork, theatrical design, costume or other appropriate and translatable media to convey design qualifications. Artist statement, including a preliminary sketch of the proposed temporary artwork. Two (2) references that can speak to your work as an artist within your professional field. All materials should be in electronic format. Please use standard Microsoft Word or PDF format for all written documents. All images, drawings and diagrams should be created using standard JPG format. Individual emails should not exceed 12 MB. If sending multiple emails, please label the subject line with your last name and the sequence. (Example: Smith 1 of 3). Submissions should be sent to publicart@cabq.gov If you are unable to send your materials electronically, a standard CD will be acceptable but please use the above guidelines when saving your digital files to the CD. Label the CD with your name and contact information. CDs will not be returned. Submission Deadline The deadline for submission of proposals is Monday, February 6 th, 2017 by the close of business at 4:00 PM local Albuquerque time in either email or hard copy format. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Cultural Services Department Public Art Urban Enhancement Program PO Box 1293 Albuquerque, NM 87103 Questions Questions about the project may be directed to Sherri Brueggemann at the Albuquerque Public Art Program: 505-768-3388 or by email at sbrueggemann@cabq.gov. All question will be compiled and directed to the producers for technical answers and redistributed to all who submit their questions prior to January 13 th, 2017. For information about the Albuquerque 1% for Public Art Program and the Albuquerque Arts Board, visit www.cabq.gov/publicart For information about the Shakespeare on the Plaza events and Vortex Theatre, visit www.newmexicoshakespeare.org 3
Civic Plaza Site Locations for Shakespeare Temporary Public Art (blue diamond) 4
2017 Shakespeare on the Plaza Summer Performance Schedule Friday, June 9: Comedy of Errors Saturday, June 10: Macbeth Sunday, June 11: Comedy of Errors Th. June 15: Macbeth Fri. June 16: Macbeth Sat. June 17: Comedy of Errors Sun. June 18: Comedy of Errors Th. June 22: Comedy of Errors Fri. June 23: Macbeth Sat. June 24: Macbeth Sun. June 25: Comedy of Errors Th. June 29: Macbeth Fri. June 30: Comedy of Errors Sat. July 1: Comedy of Errors Sun. July 2: Macbeth Shakespeare on the Plaza www.newmexicoshakespeare.org Producing Director Working Group Theatre www.workinggrouptheatre.org 5