Open Call For Spoken Word Artists REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

There are four separate applications available: this one for spoken word, and others for dance, music, and visual artists for the ARTWalk Alive! 2008 event.

ARTWalk Background

ARTWalk is an interactive outdoor museum that runs along University Avenue in the Neighborhood of the Arts. ARTWalk’s mission is to foster, create and maintain a designated distinctive public walkway connecting arts destinations and cultural centers in the neighborhood, in order to provide an environment that encourages increased exposure to a variety of artistic experiences while strengthening the community.

ARTWalk is pleased to announce an invitation for entries to perform at various sites along ARTWalk on Sunday, September 14, 2008, 12:00PM–4:00PM, during ARTWalk Alive! Any individual poet, storyteller, or monologist or any spoken word or dramatic ensemble that resides in the Greater Rochester eight-county region may submit entries.

I ELIGIBILITY

1. Residents of Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties are invited to enter. Students attending local schools within the eight-county area are considered residents.
2. All forms of creative spoken expressions are encouraged, including but not limited to poetry, storytelling, individual or ensemble performance or “slam” poetry, rap, short dramatic presentations. Pieces may have rhythmic or musical accompaniment, but the word art should be dominant. ARTWalk envisions community supportive performances that the random passerby could selectively enjoy or reasonably tune out. Collaborations are encouraged.
3. Up to six (6) entries will be selected to perform for up to 15 minutes at ARTWalk Alive! on Sunday, September 14, 2008.

II EVENT LOCATION and AMMENITIES

University Avenue will be closed to traffic between Atlantic Avenue and Elton Street. Specific venues will be designated, each with a single amp and speaker available. More than one microphone can be arranged. If you wish to use an unusual part of the setting, such as the playground, please specify how you would project the sound to the audience.

III CRITERIA

Performance times will be no more than 15 minutes. All entries will be judged on the following criteria:

• Creativity
• Artistic Merit
• Flexibility with regard to weather
• Appropriateness to the ARTWalk environment and its mission (Spoken word performers are encouraged to interact with ARTWalk visitors.)

IV ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINE

ARTWalk Alive! ENTRIES must be received by June 4, 2008 at 4 pm. Mail or deliver all entires to:

ARTWalk Word On The Street 179 Atlantic Ave Rochester, NY 14607

A. All entrants must submit the following items:

• A WELL LABELED audio cassette tape, VHS videotape, CD or DVD of your work,
• A short description of your proposed performance,
• Completed application (final page of this document),
• Names of performers for program notes and/or publicity,
• A 50 word (or less) description of you and/or your group for program notes and/or publicity.

(Please note: If your work is selected, a written script or other materials will be requested to enable the sign language interpreters to do an artistic translation of your work.)

B. ARTWalk Alive! selected entrants will be notified by July 1, 2008.

C. ARTWalk does not assume responsibility for damage to or loss of any material submitted for these open calls.

D. There will be a panel of seven (7) jurors selecting up to six (6) artists. The selecting panel of jurors will include Neighborhood of the Arts residents, businesses, and arts professionals. Selected applicants may be asked, under the recommendations of the ARTWalk Artists at Work Panel, to refine or modify their pieces to meet criteria.

E. RETURN OF SUBMISSIONS: Please include a self-addressed, postage paid package if return of submitted material is requested.

V PAYMENT

No monies are available at the present. A small honorarium may become available to each application (not per person) that participates in ARTWalk Alive! ARTWalk will promote this event and the selected entrant’s name will be mentioned in the program.

ARTWalk is working towards appropriate funding for future programs.

VI ARTISTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The participating performers assume all responsibility for any and all properties or equipment they bring to ARTWalk. ARTWalk takes no responsibility and holds no liability for injury, damage or loss of property to any persons during these performance times and events.

VII ARCHIVAL DISCLOSURE

ARTWalk will retain the right to use photographs or videotaped images of performers and artists rehearsing or in performance for publicity and other non-commercial purposes.

VIII CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions about Word On The Street please e-mail: artwalk@rochester.rr.com, write to ARTWalk, 179 Atlantic Ave, Rochester, NY 14607 or leave a message at (585) 4735787. This Request for Proposals and Application is also available at the above address or on the web at www.rochesterARTWalk.org

ARTWalk Alive! 2008

IX DATES TO REMEMBER (2008)! Saturday, February 16, 2008, 12-1PM

Informational public meeting for applicants at ARTWalk office, 179 Atlantic Avenue

Friday, April 25, 2008, 7-10PM

Second biennial ARTWalk ARTAuction, Village Gate, 274 N. Goodman St.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 7-8PM

Informational public meeting for applicants at ARTWalk office, 179 Atlantic Avenue

Wednesday, June 4, 2008, 4PM

Deadline for ARTWalk Alive! completed submissions (received at 179 Atlantic Avenue)

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Notification of panel’s selected entries for ARTWalk Alive! 2008

Saturday, September 13, time TBA

Site Location Orientation for ARTWalk Alive!

Sunday, September 14, 12PM–4PM

ARTWalk Alive! 2008 Name of Group

(Contact) First Name Middle Initial Last Name

Street Address

City, State, ZIP Code County

Home Telephone Other Telephone E-mail Address

Do you: __ need electricity __ prefer it but can perform without __ do not use it

CHECKLIST (Please make sure to include the following with your submission)

( ) A WELL LABELED tape or disk of your work ( ) Short description of your proposed performance ( ) Completed application form (this page) ( ) A 50-word (or less) description of you and/or your group for program notes and/or

publicity ( ) Names of artists for program notes and/or publicity ( ) OPTIONAL INFORMATION: Sometimes the press asks us to suggest artists to be

interviewed. Please attach a list of (or partial list of) performers including age and hometown/village/suburb if you wish to be considered.