Innerbelt National Forest - Call for Artists

Posted by Akron League of Creative Interventionists ; Posted on 
Call for Artists - DEADLINE :  
Innerbelt National Forest - Call for Artists
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INNERBELT NATIONAL FOREST REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The League of Creative Interventionists is requesting creative proposals for public art for the
Innerbelt National Forest, a temporary green public space on an adjacent section of the
decommissioned Innerbelt Freeway in Akron, Ohio. The forest will feature 90 trees, trails, and
events and programming that seeks to create a connection between the Downtown and West Hill
neighborhoods and provide a shared space for residents to come together.
The forest will be activated for two months in August and September of 2018 and will help
inform the long-term use of the Innerbelt Freeway. The freeway, built in the 1970s to help
revitalize downtown Akron, never fulfilled on its original intentions and has been decommissioned.
See the links at the end of this document for detailed descriptions of the history of the freeway. We
are creating public space on both sides of the Innerbelt to explore how to reconnect the two sides
of the freeway and inform its long-term use. Of the submissions received, 5 works will be displayed
during the 2-month temporary activation of the space August and September 2018. Events and
programming will bring residents to the space to experience, explore, and interact with the forest
and the installations.

ARTISTIC PROCESS
We are looking for bold art that will create connection, interaction, and introspection. Work can
be sculptural, interactive installation, or anything else you can think of! Work must include engaging
directly with the community during the creation of the work. We also encourage work to address
themes of connection and history, specifically the history of the Innerbelt Freeway and the
surrounding neighborhoods of West Hill and Downtown. We are inspired by many different
projects, some of which we have detailed below after the project site plan. (See example projects at
the end of this document.)
To be considered for selection, work must be durable enough to withstand being installed
outdoors for two months. Size, medium, and design specs of the work are flexible and will be
negotiated with the artist. All work will be installed on grass and may have a slight incline or decline.
Final structural design is subject to approval of project partners.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
• Work in partnership with community members to utilize art as a tool to support equitable
community development
• Showcase what community members would like to see in the decommissioned space through the
talent of local artists
• Connect residents from the West Hill and Downtown neighborhoods
• Provide valuable user research to help inform the long-term development of the freeway
SUBMISSION PROCESS
Submissions will be accepted May 16-June 6.
To submit a piece of work email the following to Hunter Franks, project lead, at
hunter@creativeinterventionists.com.
• Your contact information
• Bio (for you and/or your team)
• Artwork title, description, and photo/sketch
• Cover letter describing your proposed work and how it will help fulfill the project objectives
stated above
Finalists will be notified June 15 and artwork must be ready to install by July 15. The forest
opens in early August.
A panel of local residents, community leaders, and artists will review the submissions received. 5
finalists will be selected and receive a $800 stipend each to make and install their work.
Contact: Hunter Franks hunter@creativeinterventionists.com
ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
Mission
The League of Creative Interventionists creates public art and cultural programs with communities
that tell real and just narratives, create empathetic spaces, and develop powerful leaders.

INNERBELT REFERENCES
http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2014/12/akron_innerbelt_planned_as_a_s.html
http://amatsplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/AMATS-A-Perspective-of-the-Akron-Innerbelt.pdf

 

Click here to download the full Call for Artists including example projects.

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