The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh announces a request for proposals for its annual Tough Art Residency Program. The residency invites artists to work in the museum to develop and create artworks that will be exhibited fall/winter 2020.
STIPEND: $5,000 fee and $3,500 materials budget, plus transportation and housing (if artist is not based in Pittsburgh)
ELIGIBILITY: Professional and emerging artists
DEADLINE: March 8, 2020
Download full RFQ here.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is dedicated to fostering the talent and innovation of artists as experience makers. The Tough Art Residency Program, that began in 2007, looks to expand the skills of established and emerging artists, which in turn meets a great need in the museum field – artists whose work becomes accessible to a larger public through experience in one of the toughest venues for art: a children’s museum. The Museum is committed to working with artists to present excellent contemporary art to our visitors. Every year artists are invited to work with the museum through a multitude of programs and projects. The annual Tough Art Residency Program enables the Museum to expand its ever-growing collection of interactive artwork accessible to all. Pieces are incorporated into the Children’s Museum exhibition spaces with direct impact on the visitor experience. A Tough Art exhibition of the artists’ work opens at the conclusion of the residency. This is the 14th year of the Tough Art Program.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Tough Art Residency Program seeks to connect a diverse group of artists to the resources and audience of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. The artists accomplish three goals:
Across the residency, artists are given two tasks:
It is important to remember that the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is a very public place, and that art within a children’s museum occupies a unique niche of public art. Our visitors are extremely motivated to engage with art in direct, physical, and sometimes aggressive ways that are completely different from a traditional venue. The museum expects artists to adapt to this challenging environment while maintaining the rigor and sophistication of their practice. We welcome projects that present new ideas and unexpected experiences to children and families. Our team works with artists to produce artworks that are safe and durable.
The residency runs June through mid-September 2020; artists are expected to be in Pittsburgh for the duration of the residency.
Members of the museum’s exhibition staff work hand in hand with artists to produce interactive and innovative artworks that have a direct impact on the visitor experience. Throughout the residency, artists work collaboratively with staff to build prototypes, test ideas on the museum floor, and fabricate and install a finished work that is “tough” enough to thrive in a hands on environment.
The Children’s Museum owns the artwork produced under the Tough Art Residency Program. Any and all materials purchased using the afforded materials budget are property of the museum. The artist and museum enter into a mutual agreement whereby the artist maintains intellectual property of the piece.
EXPECTATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS
The Museum offers residencies to artists whose interests complement the museum experience. Artists participate in a collaborative and developmental process resulting in the creation of works for the exhibit floor. The artists in this program learn to take the immersive attitude to heart and to continually monitor their work against the demands of the public.
Each resident artist is expected to:
TIMELINE
SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA
Applications are reviewed by a museum curator as well as a committee of museum staff and professional advisors to the project. Selection is based on the following factors:
WHAT TO SUBMIT
HOW TO SUBMIT
Email applications to submissions@pittsburghkids.org. You may also submit by emailing a link to a file sharing site such as Dropbox or Google Drive.
QUESTIONS? Email submissions@pittsburghkids.org
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Question: What do you mean by “includes a Letter of Application (1 page limit)”?
Question: What do you mean by “includes a Letter of Application (1 page limit)”?
View lessThe contact person for the program would be the best person to answer your question; please review the announcement for details.
The contact person for the program would be the best person to answer your question; please review the announcement for details.
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