Energy: Made Here Open Call

ENERGY: MADE HERE OPEN CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Hennepin Theatre Trust is accepting artists’ submissions for the fall/winter 2017 Made Here Showcases.

Made Here, a project of the Trust, temporarily fills empty storefronts and commercial spaces that are in transition with art by local artists, turning WeDo™ – the West Downtown MPLS  Cultural District — into a walkable urban art gallery.

The theme for the fall/winter Showcases is “Energy.” For this round, artists and artist groups are invited to submit proposals for window Showcase displays that interpret this theme. Open to your creativity, your installation might be an exploration of the forces that inspire you, thoughts on what powers our world or a display about what drives your creative practice.

Artists and artist groups may submit their proposals from now until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 14.

This Made Here round will coincide with Super Bowl LII, which starts on Sunday, February 4th at US Bank Stadium — just blocks away from WeDo. This event is projected to bring in 125,400 non-resident visitors — offering more potential exposure to participating Made Here artists than ever before.

Made Here features artists with all levels of experience — from those who have never exhibited work to internationally renowned professionals.

Made Here also features artists representing diverse communities. On average, 40 percent of Made Here artists are from communities of color. We also aim for balanced gender representation and make it a priority to include seniors, children, artists with disabilities, LGBTQ+ artists and artists from Greater Minnesota.

CRITERIA

All submissions will be considered, reviewed and curated by the Made Here Arts Advisory Panel based on the following criteria:

• Compelling: artistically strong in concept and execution, compelling to a diverse audience and actively engaging to the public
• Viable: agile, adaptive, innovative and achievable with the resources, funds and spaces available
• Relevant: responsive to and engaging with diverse audiences, themes, neighborhoods and landscapes
• Quality: the work presented is of exemplary quality —specifically in regards to the medium in which it is presented

In the interest of accessibility and inclusivity, we do not require artist statements, resumes or exhibition histories to apply. Our panel curates each open call blind — meaning that panelists review the art without knowledge of the artists’ names in an effort to produce an unbiased selection.

ELIGIBILITY

For eligibility to participate in Made Here, all artists and artist groups must be current residents of Minnesota.

We are unable to accept proposals that are demonstrative; feature graphic sexual or violent imagery; include an element of live performance in or outside of the window displays; support an elected official or candidate; or invite the public to enter the space. Proposal materials must be created at an off-site location and then assembled in a single visit with limited assistance.

WHAT TO EXPECT IF YOU ARE SELECTED

Each selected submission receives a stipend of $500.00. If selected, all participating artists must submit a signed W9 form and a signed “Display Terms and Conditions” contract.

Upon selection, one site visit with a representative from the Trust’s Public Art and Placemaking department is required in order to discuss and schedule the timing of your installation. Each participating artist will be given one day to install his/her Showcase with a maximum of six hours of assistance from the Made Here team. Work is not permitted onsite outside of installation times. 

Please refer to the current Made Here Showcases for examples of successful outcomes and available empty storefront and commercial locations: madeheremn.org/showcases.

*Click this link to view the e-book, Made Here: Suggestions and Support for your Successful Submission

All Showcases will be professionally photographed and featured on a dedicated page on the Made Here website (madeheremn.org). The Trust will actively promote the exhibition and share through its own communication channels, including emails and social media.

Each Made Here artist will be provided access to a clean, safe commercial storefront to create a Showcase with access to electrical access, extension cords, clamp lamps, light bulbs, minimal hardware and power strips, as needed. Professional installation assistance is available upon request.

There is a limited amount of technology available for Showcases, including several flat screen TVs, projectors, reverse projection screen materials and DVD players.

TIMELINE FOR ENERGY: MADE HERE

June 13, 2017: Energy: Made Here open call begins

August 14, 2017: Energy: Made Here open call ends

August 28, 2017: Selected artists announced

September 20 – October 7, 2017: Mandatory site visits completed

October 12, 2017: Showcase installations begin

December 2, 2017: Showcase installations complete

December 19, 2017: Energy: Made Here launches, 5  8 p.m.

April 4, 2018: Deinstallation of all Showcases begins

For inquiries, please contact Hannah Novillo Erickson, the Trust’s artist coordinator, at Hannah.Novillo@HennepinTheatreTrust.org

Special thanks to Andersen Windows for being the presenting sponsor of Made Here. Additional sponsorship is provided by Le Méridien Chambers Minneapolis and the McKnight Foundation.