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Art and Artifacts Sought for Wes Montgomery Exhibition

Indy Arts Council Opportunity ; Visual ; Volunteer

Posted: Mar 17, 2023

The Indy Arts Council, in partnership with the Indianapolis Airport Authority, seeks to borrow objects and EXISTING artwork depicting or paying tribute to the great jazz guitarist (and Indy native) John Leslie “Wes” Montgomery (1923-1968) for an exhibition at Indianapolis International Airport, to be on view from November 2023 to March 2024. The exhibition will combine artifacts, photographs, and original artworks so airport visitors can learn more about Wes, one of Indy’s most important cultural figures and a highlight of our city’s considerable contributions to the international jazz scene. The exhibition will form a centerpiece of the airport’s 2024 Black History Month presentations, and will be on view during a period of increased visitation to Indy for the NBA All Star weekend, February 16-18, 2024. ELIGIBILITY: Artists and collectors living in central Indiana ABOUT WES MONTGOMERY Wes Montgomery is widely regarded as one of the three “founding fathers” of jazz guitar, the other two being Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt. His style was distinguished by using his thumb to pick the strings instead of a pick or plectrum, leading to a warmer and more muted sound. He also improvised in octaves and chords, which was unique at the time. Although he started playing professionally at age 19, performing in a jazz band with his older brothers, his widespread fame only lasted 10 years before his death at age 45 from a heart attack. Nevertheless, in that time he recorded 20 albums as a group leader and participated on the albums of many others, playing with Lionel Hampton and Charles Mingus among others. Guitar maker Gibson created three instruments for him customized to his playing style, and he was nominated for Grammy awards several times. Today he is known as a transitional figure between the “classic”, purely improvisational jazz of the 1950s and today’s “smooth” jazz, exploring everything from wild solos to lush multi-orchestral compositions to covers and interpretations of contemporary pop hits. His commercial success during his lifetime led to many posthumous releases, and he has been acknowledged as an influence by musicians as varied as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Joe Bonamassa. Read more at the official Wes Montgomery website and find recommendations for his best music at Jazz Guitar. ABOUT THE EXHIBITION Artifacts of particular interest include song sheets, composition books, album covers, vintage reel-to-reel tapes, original photographs (particularly vintage, taken at performances), signage, guitars known to have been played by Montgomery, and ephemera such as broadsheets, posters, ticket stubs, advertisements, and similar. Items such as small ephemera may be scanned and enlarged to be shown in reproduction. Artworks of interest include original tribute portraiture and visual interpretations of his music, particularly by central Indiana artists. All items will be displayed in the Ticketing Hall in large closed and locked exhibition cases. The cases are not independently climate-controlled, but are protected against dust and lit with low-UV fixtures. Airport police officers provide walking security in the area. PROJECT TIMELINE Solicitation released: March 17, 2023 Exhibition contents confirmed: September 30, 2023 Delivery of items to Indy Arts Council: by Friday, November 10, 2023 Exhibition installed: November 11-12, 2023 Exhibition celebration: date TBD Exhibition deinstalled: March 9, 2024 Items available for pickup or return: March 11, 2024 HOW TO SUGGEST ITEMS FOR EXHIBITION Email Julia Moore, Director of Public Art at the Indy Arts Council, jmoore@indyarts.org with the following information: Your name Your contact information (email and phone number) A description and photographs of the items you wish to be considered for the exhibition If you are suggesting artifacts, provide a brief narrative explaining how you acquired them (for example–was it a performance you attended? An object with a personal connection to Wes?) Questions? Contact Julia Moore, jmoore@indyarts.org or call (317) 624-2556

Poet Sought to Honor Etheridge Knight

Indy Arts Council Opportunity ; Literary

Posted: Mar 06, 2023

Lea esta información en español aquí. Indiana Humanities and the Indy Arts Council seek to commission an Indiana poet to write an original poem inspired by the life, career, and legacy of Etheridge Knight to accompany a new portrait mural to be installed in the late spring/early summer of 2023. The goal of the poem is to provide a literary perspective on the legendary status of Mr. Knight, and to help viewers understand his enduring impact on Indianapolis and the world. COMMISSION AMOUNT: $2,000 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, April 2, 2023, 11:59 p.m. HOW TO APPLY: Apply here. About Etheridge Knight Etheridge Knight was born in Corinth, Mississippi in 1931. He dropped out of high school while still a teenager and joined the US Army to serve in the Korean War. Wounded by shrapnel during the conflict, he returned to civilian life with an injury that led to drug addiction. Knight was convicted of robbery in 1960 and served eight years in the Indiana State Prison. While in prison, Knight began to write poetry, and he corresponded with, and received visits from, Black literary luminaries such as Dudley Randall and Gwendolyn Brooks. His first collection, Poems from Prison (1968) included the following text on its back cover: “I died in Korea from a shrapnel wound, and narcotics resurrected me. I died in 1960 from a prison sentence and poetry brought me back to life.” Knight was an important contributor as one of the poets and artists connected to the Black Arts Movement, and his work should be read in the context of that movement’s goals to inspire collective action and develop Black cultural identities distinct from dominant white power structures. Knight went on to attain recognition as a major poet, earning both Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award nominations for Belly Song and Other Poems (1973). Knight’s honors and awards included fellowships and prizes from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Society of America. In 1990 he earned a bachelor’s degree in American poetry and criminal justice from Martin University in Indianapolis. He died in 1991. For more information about Etheridge Knight’s life and work, please visit the EKFreePeoplesBe website. About the Mural The mural will be installed in June 2023 in downtown Indianapolis. The community stakeholders for this mural include Butler University, who holds the Etheridge Knight Archive and manages Etheridge Knight Free Peoples Be, the Etheridge Knight legacy initiative. The Knight Family enthusiastically supports the project. The mural artist and design will be publicly announced on April 19, 2023 along with the commissioned poet. POET SELECTION & COMMISSION INFORMATION Review and Selection Process Applications will be reviewed by a conflict-free panel that includes scholars, literary artists, and community representatives. One applicant will be identified by the panel for the mural and awarded the commission. Please note: we are not asking you to complete the poem to apply. Applicants are asked to provide a statement of interest and a selection of previous work in order to be considered. After selection, the poets will have time to research, write, and workshop the poem. About the Poetry Commission The poem should provide additional insight and the poet’s personal perspective on Mr. Knight. Selections from the poem will be posted alongside the mural, with hopes that visitors to the mural will read and reflect, finding further connection and inspiration in Mr. Knight’s life and legacy through the written word. The commissioned poet may write their poem in their primary language. If that language is not English, the poet should provide an English translation. Both the original language and the English translation will be displayed on the mural signage. The poem must be completed by June 1 and will be unveiled alongside the mural at the dedication ceremony on/around June 30. Commission Fee and Terms The selected poet will receive a $2,000 stipend, with half the stipend paid at the outset of the project, and the second half paid upon delivery of the final poem. The stipend includes compensation for the finished poem, a videotaped reading/performance, and a live performance at the mural dedication. Further compensation for additional program participation will be negotiated with the individual poet. How to Apply Provide a brief statement describing your interest in the project and your preliminary vision for the poem. Here are a few questions you might consider addressing in the statement: Why do I want to take on this project? What do I find compelling about these individuals’ life and work? What do I hope readers would take away from my poem? How can poetry help readers get a better understanding of Etheridge Knight’s life, in a way that complements the mural? Provide writing samples: 5-8 previous poems to help reviewers get a sense of your poetic style and approach. Please collate them into a single Word or PDF document and upload that document. Apply using this form before midnight on Sunday, April 2, 2023. Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision in mid-April and will be provided with additional resource materials for reference. Questions? For more information about the poetry competition and how best to apply, contact Megan Telligman, mtelligman@indianahumanities.org or 317.616.9409. For more information about the Bicentennial Legends mural initiative, visit the project website or contact Julia Moore, jmoore@indyarts.org or 317.624.2556

Indy Arts Council and Indianapolis Airport Authority Seek Proposals for Airport Exhibitions

Film ; Indy Arts Council Opportunity ; Literary ; Public Art ; Social Practice Art ; Visual

Posted: Sep 07, 2022

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) Temporary Exhibitions/Installations at Indianapolis International Airport Indianapolis, Indiana Deadline: Rolling Summary of Opportunity The Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA), in consultation with the Indy Arts Council, invites artists and other artistic content providers / display authors to submit proposals for temporary installations (4 months) in the exhibition cases inside Colonel H. Weir Cook Memorial Terminal at Indianapolis International Airport (IND)(see 1 below). All installations must be durable, low-maintenance and suitable in form, material and content for a mixed-ages audience that will include young children. Preference will be given to Indiana artists (see 2 below) and to displays that engage and reflect the diverse culture and environment of Central Indiana. For the purposes of this document, “display author” refers to the individual who is developing and remains responsible for the display during the planning, on-view, and removal periods. This individual may or may not be the exhibiting artist. About the IND Art Program The art program at Indianapolis International Airport displays high-quality, original works by professional artists. The exhibition cases in the Ticket Hall and Concourses are conceived of as “installation” environments rather than “gallery” environments to showcase individual artists. The KIND Gallery is programmed as a space to highlight the arts community: we are looking for “edits” of group exhibitions shown in arts venues, group exhibitions by local artists with a defined theme, or exhibitions that showcase aspects of the Indy arts and culture scene. Development of creative, meaningful, unified, and site-specific concepts and presentations is encouraged. A professional curator is available to speak with you and help you develop your concept. Please contact Kate Oberreich, kateo@indyarts.org to schedule a consultation. Eligibility Individual artists wishing to exhibit at the Indianapolis International Airport must be at least 18 years of age. Group exhibitions may include youth participants, as long as the display author is at least 18 years of age. All other factors being equal, preference will be given to artists physically located in central Indiana (defined as Marion and adjacent counties, plus other counties and towns served by Indianapolis International Airport) at the time of display. The IAA values cultural diversity and encourages artists and organizations of varying backgrounds and experiences to submit proposals. ______________________________________________ 1. The policies and process outlined in this document are to be used for non-video proposals for interior spaces only. Please contact the Arts Council BEFORE you begin your proposal process if your project is a pre-curated traveling exhibition with a rental fee, or if your project requires more than one year’s worth of development time and/or an extensive or long-term funding commitment from the IAA. Different processes and policies are used to solicit, review, schedule, and operate such projects. 2. For the purposes of this process, an Indiana artist is one who was either born in Indiana, pursued higher education in Indiana, or lived in Indiana as an adult for a significant period of time. The IAA is particularly interested in engaging artists with a strong connection to Central Indiana (defined as Indianapolis/Marion County and the following counties: Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Morgan, Shelby). ______________________________________________ Project Budget The IAA will provide a loan fee, which artists may use to partially offset the costs to develop the installation. Loan fees will vary according to the nature of the project, but generally will not exceed $750 per location. The artist is responsible for all costs relating to the exhibition or display. Costs that the artist may incur include, but are not limited to: the fabrication cost of the artwork labor and expenses of transporting the artwork obtaining or preparing exhibit furnishings such as pedestals, stands or mounts preparation of artwork for display including, if applicable, framing two-dimensional works WITHOUT GLASS OR PLEXIGLASS and adding appropriate hanging hardware preparation and/or purchase of appropriate title signage designing and fabricating display signage and labels the artist’s labor to install and remove the display Proposal Information Proposals are considered on a rolling basis. Send proposals a minimum of six months prior to the start of the desired exhibition or display period; however, a period of one year prior is preferred, as the schedule is booked out at least six months to a year in advance. Display period: Displays may be scheduled for a minimum of six weeks and a maximum of six months. The ideal display period is four months. KIND Gallery exhibitions are scheduled for six-month displays. Display location: There are six enclosed exhibition cases and one gallery-style display space. Ticketing Hall (near the entrance to Civic Plaza): two large cases and two small cases Concourse A: one case and the KIND Gallery Concourse B: one case Additional installation locations may be considered based on the location suggested in the proposal and if the proposing artist provides his/her own closed and locked display cases; however, installation inside of the airport-provided casework is preferred. Display conditions: Closed display cases provided by the IAA are well-lit and securely locked, but are not climate- , dust- , or UV-controlled. The KIND Gallery display walls are protected, but are not locked or climate- , dust- , or UV-controlled. Please keep this in mind when determining display contents, as the IAA will not be responsible for any damages to the artwork or claims in connection to damages. Display Policies INSURANCE: Displays are mounted entirely at the display author’s own risk. The Indianapolis Airport Authority will not insure, or be responsible or liable for, artwork displayed on its premises or installation assistance provided by IAA or the Arts Council of Indianapolis, or for other non-art objects (such as pedestals and hanging equipment) related to the exhibition or display. For displays of extraordinary monetary value, the IAA reserves the right to request an itemized list of the value of each display item and/or a certificate of insurance from the display author citing the total value of the display contents. AGREEMENT: The IAA and the display author will enter into a formal agreement indicating the conditions of the display. IAA will provide a copy of the agreement for the display author’s review and consideration. APPROVALS: After a work or group of works is accepted for display by the IAA, the artist/display author must, at least 30 days before the scheduled installation date, present the entirety of the proposed display contents (or photographic documentation thereof)–including all artworks, backgrounds, and written texts—to a designated IAA representative for review of its condition and appropriateness for the airport context. Once approved, no substitutions can be made. The IAA reserves the right to deny or refuse display of any item, for any reason, and reserves the right to cancel the display at any time if cancellation is within the IAA’s best interest. AESTHETICS: The display author is responsible for designing the display to meet rigorous aesthetic standards. Each display must include professional-quality title signage (preferably vinyl text) to be delivered with the artworks. The production of a professional-quality handout or brochure is at the artist’s option and expense, but the text and layout must be approved by the IAA in advance. Other exhibition materials (such as backdrops, special signage, etc.) may be provided upon prior approval. INSTALLATION: The artist is responsible for producing and/or gathering all display materials and bringing them to the airport for installation at a designated date and time. Installation will take place in a single session. Installation is likely to be scheduled for a weekend day, and will generally be between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Some installations may take place on a weekday or in the evening based on the airport’s expected passenger traffic. The exhibition contents must be in good repair and able to withstand the rigors of public exhibition for the agreed-upon display period. Artworks must be dry. Framed works must be UNGLAZED (no glass or plexiglass) and delivered with any required hanging hardware already attached. Artworks that are not properly prepared upon delivery may be refused. Major equipment such as carts, pallet jacks, lifts, and suction cups will be provided by the airport if not being used at the time and upon prior notification that they are needed. Common equipment such as carts, ladders, hammers, levels, screwdrivers and hand tools are available for artist and Arts Council use; however, artists are responsible for providing their own appropriate hardware, as well as extra, specialized or unusual tools. The Arts Council will provide installation assistance, which will be shared among the installations being de-installed/installed on the specified date. Because they are behind security, installations in the Concourse cases and the KIND Gallery will require an advance background check if the artist intends to perform the installation themselves or assist the Arts Council team. Individuals on the no-fly list will not be allowed to perform an installation in these areas. ALTERATION: After installation of a display, the IAA reserves the right, at all times, to require removal or alteration prior to the end of the scheduled exhibition period. The reasons for this may range from community discomfort with the contents of the display to a condition problem with the display contents or display furnishings. CANCELLATION OF DISPLAY BEFORE INSTALLATION: The IAA reserves the right to cancel a scheduled installation at any time prior to the designated installation date should unforeseen conditions or situations arise. All attempts will be made to reschedule the display for a time of mutual convenience; however, if the display is time-sensitive, the IAA cannot guarantee a time slot for a substitute display. Artwork Criteria Exhibition proposals will be evaluated according to the following: artistic merit: aesthetics, concept, craftsmanship cultural and/or historic significance community and/or regional interest the feasibility of the IAA to install, display, or properly care for the artwork while on the airport’s premises proposed timeline cost other factors which may designate the display as desirable or not desirable A proposed display that approaches a commercial message without substantial aesthetic, educational, or cultural content will be directed to the IAA’s business development department for review as a sponsor-paid advertising opportunity. Medium Displays may incorporate any medium that is safe for a public area and is within the weight capacity of the exhibition area to accommodate. The IAA reserves the right, at all times, to restrict certain media based on the nature of the project. Theme and Content The theme and content are at the discretion of the artist. Artists may choose to incorporate a narrative theme of local interest or may elect to present a proposal consistent with his/her past conceptual or thematic interests, aesthetics, and style providing it is appropriate to the nature of a public location. The theme of traveling, airplanes, or aviation is also appropriate for display. Approaches taken may range widely as well: thought-provoking, informative, surprising, or humorous projects are just a few of the possibilities. Subject Matter Restrictions Artwork placed in airports must take into consideration the sensitivities of the majority of the traveling public and common stresses about air travel. The nude human figure or sexually suggestive imagery will never be displayed at the Indianapolis International Airport. Images or the suggestion of images depicting terrorism, blood or gore, aviation accidents, or any other images or statements that, in the public’s view, could negatively reflect on the perceived safety of air travel are not allowed. Electioneering, partisan, or other overtly political statements are not appropriate, nor are commercial messages or images that could be perceived by the public as a commercial message or endorsement of a business or commercial product. Images or statements that may be interpreted by the public as promoting a specific, identifiable religion or spiritual tradition are not appropriate unless it is in the context of documenting historic or contemporary landmark structures or individuals, or referencing well-known works of art of a religious nature. Statements or images that, in the opinion of the IAA, may offend potential viewers if placed in a public setting (such as an airport) are never appropriate. Selection Process The Arts Council public art staff will review all proposals and may confer with its Public Art Selection Committee at its discretion to obtain guidance as to the desirability of a proposed project. Upon recommendation by the Arts Council, the IAA has the final say on whether a project will be accepted for exhibition. Artists will generally be notified of approval status within four to six weeks of application. Application Requirements Please provide your proposal via this online form. The form requests the following information: A. INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARTIST Contact information: name, email, phone number, address Artist’s current resume or narrative biography Artist’s statement. This statement should describe the artists’ general approach and past work Examples of past work: provide a minimum of four, but not more than ten, examples of representative work completed within the last five years. You may upload images as JPEGS or PDF documents, or in a single PDF document. Video clips should be provided as live links to an online location, in a PDF or Word document. Artists may elect to provide a link to their website or their blog site if all of the above information is contained there. Please do not only provide a link to an Instagram page or a Facebook account. B. INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED ARTWORK Narrative description of the proposed display. This should include the tentative title for the installation, a description of the theme, issue, content or concept; a discussion of the number of pieces, materials, finishes, size, and techniques; electrical requirements if applicable; and anticipated method(s) of fabrication and installation of the artwork. Visual documentation of the contents of the proposed display, if available. If the artwork is pre-existing, digital images of the artwork are preferred; if the artwork does not yet exist, concept sketches may be provided. If no visual documentation is available at this time, please provide a detailed description of the look of the proposed installation in the narrative statement. PLEASE NOTE: The total size of uploaded documentation must not exceed 25MB. This includes images, statements, and other documentation. How to Apply Please complete the proposal form here. Notices and Disclaimers Be advised that materials contained in submissions responsive to this request may be subject to disclosure under the Indiana Public Records Act, IC 5-14-3 et. seq. (the “Act”). Potential display authors claiming a statutory exception to disclosure of information under the Act must place all such information in a separate sealed envelope, clearly marked “Confidential” and must indicate on the outside of the envelope that confidential materials are included and specify which statutory exception provision applies. IAA reserves the right to make its own determination of confidentiality. If the IAA does not agree that the information designated as confidential should be withheld from public access under the Act, it will so advise the artist and may thereafter disclose the materials as required by law. The IAA expects that applications in response to this request will contain sufficient non-restricted data to permit the review to proceed without delay for consideration of extensive claims of confidentiality. A claim of confidentiality that is strictly limited to the time period of the procurement action will not be a cause for rejection. Overly burdensome claims for exemptions from public access may cause the IAA to view the submission with disfavor. The Indy Arts Council will make every effort to ensure the safe handling of application materials; however, it will not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage. Neither the Arts Council, the IAA, nor any person or entity, creates any obligation, expressed or implied, by issuance of this announcement or by receipt and consideration of any responses/proposals. The Arts Council and the IAA reserve the right to reject any applicant, artist or display author, or to terminate the selection process, at any time for any reason without prior notice. The Arts Council and the IAA also reserve the right to directly solicit proposals from individual artists or community groups or to invite artists to exhibit without submitting an initial proposal. All decisions made during the selection process are final, with disputes subject to review only by the IAA’s Board of Directors. By providing a proposal, I/we agree to adhere to all the policies, procedures, rules and guidelines that have been, or will be, disclosed to me/us by representatives of the Arts Council and/or the IAA. I/we understand that if I/we am/are selected to realize this proposal, all artwork is installed at my/our own risk, and I/we agree to release, indemnify and hold harmless the Indy Arts Council, the IAA, and their directors, employees and representatives, for any and all claims and damage to the displayed items and for any injuries to artist, artist personnel, or the public or property during the installation period(s), removal period(s), while on display, and during maintenance visits. I/we also agree to indemnify the Arts Council and the IAA for any claims and damage or injuries to third parties caused by the display; such indemnification shall not be limited by any insurance policies I/we may hold. Any damages that I or my representatives may cause to IAA premises or property shall be my/our responsibility to repair or replace, at my/our sole expense. An agreement summarizing all applicable policies, procedures, rules, regulations, terms and conditions, including insurance and work-order requirements, will be signed between the IAA and selected artists prior to installation. For images of previous installations and technical specifications of the cases and KIND Gallery, email Kate Oberreich, kateo@indyarts.org

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