Call for Artists

Akron Cultural Plan

Designing Local seeks visual artists to create work that represents the Akron community this summer. We know that diverse opportunities to experience arts, culture, and the environment are key to creating a vibrant and prosperous community.

For the first time in its history, Akron is engaging in a city-wide cultural planning process to advance arts and culture in the community. This process will be exceptionally collaborative, will evaluate existing resources, and examine the needs and desires of residents from across Akron’s 24 neighborhoods.

The Akron Cultural Plan will promote an equitable, world-class cultural environment that strengthens the City, advances cultural diversity, increases opportunities to create culture, and provides vibrant experiences for all residents and visitors.

In order to accomplish the goals of the Cultural Plan, extensive community engagement is of utmost importance and we need your help! Designing Local seeks three visual artists to create pieces that represent our community this summer.

What is Designing Local looking from Artists?

Designing Local seeks three visual artists to participate in 3-4 Cultural Planning meetings, each lasting two hours. At these meetings, artists will interact with community members who attend and ask them to leave a visual representation on a canvas. Artists will have the ability to determine how to engage the community in this way. Selected artists will bring the canvas to each public meeting they are assigned to and will complete this task at each meeting, building upon the meeting that came before.

Once the 3-4 assigned meetings are complete, selected artists will complete the piece using the participation of attendees as the inspiration and main content of each piece. The last meetings will take place the week of July 15 and selected artists are expected to complete their pieces by Friday, August 16, 2019 for a public reveal.

Will any material be provided to selected artists?

Selected artists will be provided with the canvas. Artists are expected to use their own supplies.

How much will I be paid for creating this community piece for the Cultural Plan?

The three selected artists will be paid $1,500 each for this project – the first half at the beginning of the project, and the second half at completion of the project.

What are the dates of the events?

May 30, 2019| 5:30 – 7:30pm: Cultural Plan Meeting 1: Odom Boulevard Library Branch

May 30, 2019 | 5:30 – 7:30pm: Cultural Plan Meeting 2: Coventry Oaks Lodge

June 18, 2019 | 5:30 – 7:30pm: Cultural Plan Meeting 3: Location TBD

June 18, 2019 | 5:30 – 7:30pm: Cultural Plan Meeting 4: Location TBD

June 19, 2019 | 5:30 – 7:30pm: Cultural Plan Meeting 5: Location TBD

June 19, 2019 | 5:30 – 7:30pm: Cultural Plan Meeting 6: Location TBD

June 20, 2019 | 5:30 – 7:30pm: Cultural Plan Meeting 7: Location TBD

June 20, 2019 | 5:30 – 7:30pm: Cultural Plan Meeting 8: Location TBD

July 16, 2019 | 5:30 – 7:30pm: Cultural Plan Meeting 9: Location TBD

July 17, 2019 | 5:30 – 7:30pm: Cultural Plan Meeting 10: Location TBD

July 17, 2019 | 5:30 – 7:30pm: Cultural Plan Meeting 11: Summit Lake Community Center

How do I apply?

Send an email to Amanda at Amanda@designinglocal.com expressing your interest and no more than 5 images representing your work product. Letters of interest are due no later than Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 12 noon.

Within your letter, please indicate your top 5 dates for availability to ensure coverage at all public meetings.

Questions?

Email Amanda at Amanda@designinglocal.com your questions.