Cultural Arts Division Newsletter
March 4, 2015

Cultural Arts Division News

 

Logo- Austin Art in Public Places, 30 Years 1985-2015

Request for Qualifications:

Deep Eddy/Eilers Park Public Art Project

Deadline: March 11, 5:00 p.m.

The City of Austin seeks to commission a permanent exterior public artwork for Eilers Park and the adjoining Deep Eddy Pool. Professional visual artists who live an work in Williamson, Travis, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Burnet, and Blanco counties are eligible to apply.
Artists with active contracts with the Art in Public Places program or who have more than two permanent works in the AIPP collection are ineligible to apply. Budget: $56,400

More Information at tinyurl.com/austinaipp 

 

 

Images of artists in workshops

 

Help Our Creative Community Become Stronger - Take the Survey!

Are you interested in growing your creative business?
Do you want to develop more productive employees?
Are you interested in becoming a stronger nonprofit organization?
If so, the Cultural Arts Division invites you to tell us how we can help you and your business. We want to hear from you.

Go to www.austintexas.gov/creativecapacity to take the survey now!

 

Your participation in our Creative Sector Needs Assessment Survey will help us to help you. The purpose of the survey is to identify the service needs of individual creatives and cultural organizations, investigate available resources, identify gaps, and then make recommendations for the growth and development of Austin's creative capacity. Survey closes March 14.

 

 

New Cultural Funding Programs!

The Capacity Building Program is open to State of Texas nonprofit or 501c nonprofit arts organizations located in Austin or its Extra Territorial Jurisdiction. Funds may be used to support organizational infrastructure in areas including, but not limited to, management, governance, financial resources, and administrative systems. Deadline: 3/23/15

Read the Guidelines and Application 

 

The Cultural Heritage Festivals Program is open to State of Texas nonprofit or 501c nonprofit organizations located in Austin or its Extra Territorial Jurisdiction. Project activities must involve the marketing, production, presentation, and funding of a culturally specific festival open to both residents and tourists. Deadline: 3/30/15

Read the Guidelines and Application  

 

 

Hello Lamp Post Logo Hello Lamp Post @ SXSW

When: March 17, 1-4 p.m., Artist Talk at 2 p.m.

Where: Brush Square Museums
(409 E. 5th Street)

Hello Lamp Post: Austin, an official art project of SXSW 2015, is a city-wide platform for play that lets you talk to the city's infrastructure, lamp posts, bus stops and more to share your stories using the text messaging function of your mobile phone.
Stop by our event on the north side of Brush Square to learn more about the project and give it a try! Sam Hill of Pan Studio, the project's designers, will give a short presentation at 2 p.m. This event is free and does not require a SXSW badge.

 

Visit HelloLampPostAustin.com to learn how it works and see what people around the city have been sharing!

 

 

AIPP Project Recognized by the Smithsonian

The North Austin Community Garden (NACG) Art in Public Places Project has been included in the Community of Gardens website, a digital archive hosted by Smithsonian Gardens in partnership with the Archives of American Gardens, is a project designed to preserve our diverse garden heritage.

The NACG was designed by Thoughtbarn, Robert Gay and Lucy Begg, and is located at the YMCA/North Austin Community Recreation Center (1000 W. Rundberg Lane). Read more about the project online 

 

 

The People's Choice for City Hall

We are proud to announce the People's Choice selection from the 2014 People's Gallery exhibition: Mountain Laurel Mandala II, a sculpture by Shalena White (2014). This artwork has been added to the permanent collection at City Hall and is currently displayed on the 2nd floor.

Read the full press release

 

You can see this artwork as part of the 2015 People's Gallery exhibition! Visit City Hall, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., and view the exhibition for free.

 

Artist Shalena White and her artwork  

Artist Shalena White and her artwork "Mountain Laurel Mandala II"

 

 

Wanted: Cultural Arts Division Manager!

The Cultural Arts Division is now taking applications for our vacant division manager position. Qualifications and application information are posted on the Austin City Jobs website:  https://www.austincityjobs.org/postings/47138 

Deadline to apply is March 27.

 

Cultural Arts Division logo Economic Development Department

 

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Training Opportunities

Community Spotlight

 
 
 
 

Austin Arts Commission 


The Arts Commission met February 23. The Commission received presentations from CAD staff on the Public Art Collection Condition Review, the Art in Public Places 2014 year in Review, and new Cultural Funding Programs.  

 

The next regular Arts Commission meeting will take place March 16, at 5:30 p.m. at Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street.  

 

The Austin Arts Commission meets the third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m., check each month's agenda for the location. The Commission encourages citizens' communications at each meeting; the first 10 people to sign up at the meeting will be allowed to address the Commission. If you would like to schedule a briefing to the Commission, please contact the Cultural Arts Division at [email protected] or by telephone at 512-974-7700.

 

Arts Commission website

 

Community Spotlight  


Austin-based singer-songwriter and KUTX DJ Elizabeth McQueen began her Austin music career 13 years ago with her band The Firebrands. This January, she released her fourth solo album and stepped down as the female vocalist for Asleep at the Wheel. In her eight years with Asleep at the Wheel, she traveled over a million miles in 20 countries and played over a thousand gigs.

 

On March 5-8, McQueen will present an interactive, multi-media performance entitled "Infinity + Infinity" at Austin's Museum of Human Achievement. The inter-media music performance features McQueen's newest ensemble, EMQ (with guitarist Lauren Gurgiolo and multi-instrumentalist Lindsay Greene), in conjunction with interactive structures designed and built by designer/visual artist Jerome Morrison. The artists will showcase cutting-edge animation, audience-engaging motion sensor technology, and sophisticated building processes to create interactive, life-sized, audience-controlled visual environments working in tandem with McQueen's all original music.

 

There will be two shows a night at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. as well as a kid-friendly "playdate" show on Sunday, March 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. where kids are admitted for free with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information about the event, please visit: themuseumofhumanachievement.com.

 

Visit www.elizabeth-mcqueen.com for more information.

 

This project receives cultural funding from the City of Austin through the Community Initiatives program.

 

Opportunities for Artists & Organizations

 

WORKSHOPS & TRAINING

 

You're Social, Now What? Making Social Media Work for Your Organization 

When: March 5, 9 - 11 a.m.
Where: ACC Highland Business Center, 5890 Middle Fiskville Rd.

You've thought about what social networks to use for your business or nonprofit, and you're ready to take the next step. Where do you go from there? Get a closer look at the top 5 popular social media networks - Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+. You'll also get tips on how to tell if your social media activity is working. 

http://nonprofitaustin.org/events/ 

 

History Symposium: Women of the Republic of Texas

When: March 26, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
 Where: Texas State Cemetary, 909 Navasota
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison headlines "Women of the Republic of Texas," the first Texas history symposium organized and hosted by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Museum Committee. The event will include lunch and a guided tour of the State Cemetery.

http://www.drtinfo.org/women-of-the-republic-of-texas   

 

Raising Artists Mini Conference
When: March 28, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Where:AIA Austin, 801 W. 12th St. 

Raising Artists is a professional development program for artists at different stages of their creative pursuits, from high school portfolio requirements to financials for artists who are small business owners.

http://tinyurl.com/o3ma39f  

 

DanceAbility Teacher Training with Alito Alessi
Registration Due: March 28
First time in the US in over 10 years - DanceAbility International's mission is to encourage the evolution of mixed-abilities dance by cultivating a common ground for creative expression for all people. The course in Austin will take place over two ten-day sessions from May 11-22 and December 7-18, 2015. DanceAbility Teacher Certification is for people who want to teach integrated groups in movement arts, or learn a model for facilitating communities that foster inclusive participation. For more information visit: www.danceability.com
Contact Celia Hughes, VSATexas, at 1-866-489-8412 with questions.
 

  

March Webinars from Creative Capital 

Creative Capital is offering six webinars in March.

Reinvigorate your image with Authentic Branding and Strategic Marketing; freshen up your online activity with Social Media and Web Site, Blog & Email Essentials; stimulate your creativity with Applying for Grants and Residencies; and uncover the artist-parent dynamic (whether you are a parent now, or think you may be one in the future) with Artists Raising Kids.

http://creative-capital.org/events/calendar/type:Online%20Learning

  

NALAC Regional Arts Training - Detroit Art Talks '15

When: June 5-6

Where: Detroit, MI

NALAC Regional Arts Training Workshops are convened throughout the nation to assist in strengthening local networks of Latino artists and Latino arts and cultural organizations, while fostering active engagement between NALAC and its constituents. The seminar brings together national arts experts and local arts professionals for comprehensive capacity building opportunities and community dialogue. Events include panel discussions, workshops, networking, art exhibits and luncheon and evening reception. Workshop tracks for artists and organizations focus on research and grant writing, capacity building, strategic planning and business skills for artists.
http://www.nalactienda.org/regionals_s/1821.htm

  

Registration Open for Americans for the Arts Conference in Chicago

When: June 12-14

Register today for the 2015 Annual Convention, taking place June 12-14, 2015 in Chicago! Save big by taking advantage of our special Early-Bird registration rate, which ends Friday, April 3, 2015.The conference will take place at the Chicago Sheraton, with more than 40 breakouts, three keynotes, three preconferences, two Workshop Intensives, a dozen ARTventure Tours, and an opening reception at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Over the next few months we'll be announcing sessions, speakers, and other special events. Stay tuned for more, but don't wait to register!

http://convention.artsusa.org 

 

 

GRANTS

 

Texas Women for the Arts Grants

Deadline: 3/6/15

Texas Women for the Arts is a giving circle, uniting the financial force of Texas women in funding programs for the arts and arts education throughout the state. In May of 2014, the Texas Women for the Arts awarded $235,000 to 18 arts and arts education programs from across the state, making a tremendous impact on the arts in Texas, for our youth, and our heritage. Since its inception in 2005, Texas Women for the Arts has awarded over $1.3 million to 63 arts organizations, impacting more than three-quarters of a million children across the state. Download the application  

 

Visual and Performing Arts Programs Department of State U.S. Mission to Pakistan Grant
Deadline: 3/16/15

The Public Affairs Section Islamabad invites all eligible organizations to submit a proposal for a $50,000-500,000 Grant or Cooperative Agreement to support people-to-people activities between the people of the United States and Pakistan, specifically in the area of visual and performing arts (e.g. filmmaking, photography, poetry, theater, comedy, music, or other performing and visual arts). The objective of this funding opportunity is to promote visual and performing arts as a medium for professionals and communities, from the United States and Pakistan, to engage in substantive dialogue about issues related to civic engagement, freedom of expression and social justice. http://tinyurl.com/qhueox7 


NEA Challenge America

Deadline: 4/16/15 

Challenge America offers support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations-those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. In fiscal year 2014, Challenge America funded 147 grants totaling $1.47 million. The deadline for Challenge America is April 16, 2015.

Guidelines and application materials are in the Apply for a Grant section of the NEA website. The Challenge America session will be on March 11, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

http://arts.gov/grants/apply-grant/grants-organizations  

 

Latino Americas: 500 Years of History
Deadline: 5/1/15 

Latino Americans: 500 Years of History, a public programming initiative for libraries and other cultural organizations, will support exploration of the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos, who have helped shape the United States over the last five centuries and who have become, with more than 50 million people, the country's largest minority group. The program is designed for libraries, museums, community arts and cultural organizations, historical societies, public television station affiliates, state humanities councils, and others that seek to facilitate informed discussion in their communities about the long and fascinating history of Latinos in the United States. This project will feature as a public programming cornerstone the NEH-funded PBS documentary series Latino Americans, a production of WETA Washington, DC; Bosch and Co., Inc.; and Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB). http://tinyurl.com/o78okw3  

 

 

CALLS FOR ENTRIES

 

Lawndale Art Center Call for Exhibition Proposals
Deadline: 3/15/15
Lawndale Art Center (Houston, TX) is currently accepting proposals from artists and curators to be reviewed by Lawndale's Programming Committee for exhibitions to be scheduled between August 2015 and May 2016, including exhibitions during the 2016 FotoFest Biennial. Proposals are accepted online via Submittable.com. There is no fee to submit a proposal. Please visit https://lawndaleartcenter.submittable.com/submit to create a free account.

 

VKUNST Frankfurt VII 'Ich Bleibe' Media and Video Art Exhibition

Deadline: 3/27/15

In May 2015, vkunst frankfurt presents for the seventh time current tendencies of international video art in the city centre of Frankfurt am Main, from MMK Museum of Modern Art to the Main river. Showing projections, interactive installations and animated computer art by about 40 artists, the windows of 25 galleries and shops will transform Frankfurt's Fahrgasse street into a 'roofless exhibition hall' for two evenings. In 2015, selected works of the exhibition will also be presented at the premises of the Kunstverein Familie Montez e.V. (Honsellbr�cke am Hafenpark, Frankfurt) for a period of one month. The works will be shown in walk-in installations by the artist duo Winter/Hoerbelt. vkunst frankfurt takes place annually and provides a constant platform for both established artists and young talents from all countries.

www.v-kunst.de  

 

Call for Artists: Compassion Sculpture at Cunningham Elementary

Deadline: 4/1/15

Cunningham Elementary will hire a local artist to create and install a sculpture for the front of their school campus as part of a plan to help the city of Austin earn an official "compassionate city" designation through the Charter for Compassion. Budget: $3000. Contact [email protected] for more information.   

 

The New Art Center's Curatorial Opportunity Program
Deadline: 4/6/15

This open-call program investigates contemporary culture through the visual arts and makes diverse curatorial visions possible. It encourages emerging curators and artist-curators to realize experimental exhibitions within a large, non-profit exhibition space. We accept proposals involving two or more artists and at least one public presentation.
http://www.newartcenter.org/artist/opportunity.aspx?id=28 

 

National Printmaking Exhibition 2015 at the The Wichita Center for the Arts
Deadline: 4/17/15
Exhibition Dates: July 17 - August 16, 2015. $7500 in cash and purchase awards. $30 for 3 entries. Postmarked deadline: April 17, 2015. Juror: Gordon Sherman, Fort Hays State University. Information and Prospectus available at link below. www.wcfta.com

 

Open Call: 100 GATES looking for muralists (NYC)

Deadline: 4/20/15

100 GATES is a Lower East Side public art initiative that connects artists with LES business owners by installing murals on the roll down security gates belonging to businesses in the neighborhood. We're recruiting artists and businesses during the winter, with installations timed to take place throughout the warmer summer months. You can learn more about the project and see examples of current installations here: www.100gates.nyc 

 

Juried exhibition: The Writing on the Wall (NYC)
Deadline: 5/5/15
The Painting Center, an artist-run, non-profit gallery in the heart of Chelsea, announces a call for entries for its upcoming, juried exhibition entitled, The Writing on the Wall running from June 23 through July 18, 2015. Highly publicized and with a catalog, the exhibition will feature a diverse group of artists who are exploring text-based art. http://www.thepaintingcenter.org/juried-exhibition-writing-wall 

 

AMoA Biennial - 600: Sculpture
Deadline:6/5/15
The Amarillo Museum of Art (AMoA) has issued a Call for Entries to the Biennial - 600: Sculpture. This is the sixth in an ongoing series of juried biennial exhibitions exploring specific areas of artistic practice, material, and content. JUROR: LEIGH ARNOLD; Assistant Curator, the Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, Texas. The exhibition will be on view August 14 - October 9, 2015. http://texassculpturenetwork.org/?p=600 

 

Call for Visual Art and Literary Work
Deadline: Open Rolling Submission
Pen and Brush provides a platform to showcase the work of excellent female artists to a broader audience. Our galleries can accommodate a variety of group shows, solo and feature exhibitions curated by art world professionals who support our vision.

http://www.penandbrush.org/explore/visual 

 

Dave Bown Projects 10th Semiannual Competition

Deadline: 6/6/15
$10,000 Prize. Jurors: Claire C. Carter, Curator of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art; Carmen Hermo, Assistant Curator for Collections, Guggenheim Museum, New York; Anna Stothart, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, San Antonio Museum of Art. Contact: Dave Bown.www.davebownprojects.com

 

 

RESIDENCIES

  

Picture Berlin (Germany)
Deadline: 3/11/15
Picture Berlin, now in its 6th year, is a 6 week hybrid summer residency program designed for emerging artists working in contemporary art and photography. A rigorous studio practice forms the heart of the program and working in community with other artist is its soul. The dynamic programming offers over 15 lectures by Berlin based artists, one-on-one discussions with over 10 international artists and curators, multiple exhibitions, group meals and work reviews, studio visits, a curatorial marathon, 6 choreographed artist walks, and gallery tours of both the thriving project space scene and the commercial gallery scene. The city shapes the program and is the springboard into the greater European art scene.

http://www.pictureberlin.org/  

 

Titanik A.i.R Sound artist residency Finland
Deadline: 3/13/15

Titanik A.i.R. programme offers mainly 1 to 3 month residencies to sound artists. The residency is located in Turku, the South-western coast of Finland. Our residency focuses on sound art, projects and other contemporary art collaborating sound. We offer a studio, possibilities to exhibit or arrange other presentations and accommodation for the period. http://www.titanik.fi/residency/about/ 

 

Fresh Milk International Residency in Barbados
Deadline:3/13/15
FRESH MILK is seeking proposals from artists working outside of Barbados to apply for the international residency program in 2015. Available dates for the residencies are between March 23 - June 12, 2015 and November 2 - 30, 2015. This residency aims to support visual artists, writers, and curators by offering a peaceful working space for a minimum of four weeks for creative production, the opportunity to interface with contemporary practitioners living and working in Barbados, access to the on-site Colleen Lewis Reading Room, the chance to broaden understanding of the work being produced locally and regionally in the Caribbean, and to strengthen international networks and relationships http://freshmilkbarbados.com/international-residency-opportunity/ 

 

Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency 2015 (California)

Deadline: 3/15/15

The Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency provides artists from around the world seven weeks of uninterrupted time and space in the inspiring desert environment surrounding Joshua Tree National Park. It's an opportunity for painters, sculptors, photographers, writers and musicians to have a full block of time to focus on their work without the distractions of day to day schedules, jobs or family. The residency bestows each artist with a place to live, a full studio to work in and a stipend to offset travel costs. www.jthar.com/


Le CouveNt - Artist Residency Grant 2015
Deadline: 3/18/15

The grant is aimed to worldwide emerging artists, from all disciplines, willing to create new works.The "le CouveNt" Grant for artists encourages the mobility of young artists as well as the expression of cultural diversity. The grant is aimed to worldwide emerging artists, from all disciplines, willing to create new works at "le CouveNt". To apply, the artist must have a precise project and commit themselves to execute it during their residency at "le CouveNt ". The laureate will benefit from full financial support during their stay at "le CouveNt ". http://www.lecouventauzits.com/en/2015-grant-program 

 

Residency at Gleis70

Deadline: 3/20/15

The Cooperative Gleis70, together with the Cultural Department of the City and State of Zurich, provide a residential artist studio, including a living/working space as well as a grant. This residency is for visual artists from abroad or Swiss visual artists from the French, Italian or Romansh-speaking part. Artists have the opportunity to stay four/five months in the guest studio Gleis70 while pursuing their own projects and to network with in-house artists or the art scene in Zurich.

http://www.gastateliergleis70.ch/?page_id=8 

 

The Core Residency Program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Deadline: 4/1/15

The Core Residency Program awards residencies to exceptional, highly motivated visual artists and critical writers who have completed their undergraduate or graduate training and are working to develop a sustainable practice. http://www.mfah.org/core 

 

The Textile Arts Center Residency (New York)
Deadline: 4/1/15
The Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn, NY equips emerging fiber artists and designers with the skills they need to articulate their practices and contribute to their communities. TAC offers a rigorous Artists in Residence (AIR) program that combines interdisciplinary learning with a deep focus on technical and professional development. Throughout the nine-month program, residents are able to advance and elevate their work, actively pursue their career ambitions, and share their knowledge outside of the studio walls. A jury of professional designers and artists will select 8 residents to participate in the AIR program, which runs from September 2015-June 2016. http://www.textileartscenter.com/ 

 

The Tulsa Artist Fellowship 2016
Deadline: 4/3/15
The Tulsa Artist Fellowship will cultivate Tulsa's art scene by both supporting local artists and attracting national artists. The Tulsa Artist Fellowship provides an unrestricted stipend, free housing and work-space in Tulsa, Oklahoma to US Resident artists. http://www.gkff.org/taf/ 

 

La Fragua Artist Residency, Spain
Deadline: 4/20/15
La Fragua is a non-profit cultural organization conceived with the purpose of developing the arts in the rural environment. La Fragua is a multi-purpose public space for artistic research, production, and exhibiting. More than 120 artists and writers have participated in the program at La Fragua since it's inception, contributing to the growth and identity of the center with exhibitions, presentations, events and activities involving the community. http://lafragua.eu/residency 

 

 

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

 

Submit Your Austin Growth Problems

As part of the 2015 Fusebox Festival, Ghana ThinkTank is inviting residents to submit their concerns and other thoughts related to Austin's rapid growth. These problems will be considered by a global network of think tanks in Cuba, Ghana, Iran, Mexico, El Salvador, and other "developing countries". Submit as many as you like

 

Local & State News

Mural by Reginald Adams

 

Austin unveils 10 new faces for African American Portraits Project

CultureMap Austin, 3/2/15

"Ten new faces will soon be added to a mural honoring black Austinites who have had big impacts on the community. The Reflections mural lines the outside of Austin's African American Culture and Heritage Facility on East 11th Street. It was unveiled in 2013 and is designed to pay tribute to influential people, places and events in Austin's black community. The mural is framed with pictures of men and women who have spent their lives breaking racial barriers and striving to improve the quality of life for all in Austin." http://tinyurl.com/ndk7p9l  

   

 

Community Review of Cemetary Master Plan Draft is Due March 6

The Cemetery Master Plan Draft is available for community review.  The Austin Parks and Recreation Department welcomes the community's feedback and comments about the draft plan, which addresses issues related to historic preservation, tree care, management and policy as well as heritage tourism and educational programming. Austin's historic municipal cemeteries include Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, Evergreen Cemetery, Oakwood Cemetery, Oakwood Cemetery Annex, and Plummers Cemetery.

In order for comments and suggestions to be incorporated into the final draft, community feedback is requested by March 6, 2015. The full Cemetery Master Plan Draft can be viewed on the project website at http://www.austintexas.gov/cmp. Once comments are received, the draft plan will be finalized and brought forward to several city boards and commissions before a final presentation to City Council in early summer, 2015.

 

 

Antone's to return downtown, lands venue on Fifth Street

Austin Business Journal, 3/3/15, http://tinyurl.com/oe73rqh 

 

 

Dallas Opera Starting New Institute for Women Conductors

Dallas Morning News, 2/9/15, tinyurl.com/oge58sn  

 

 

Downtown Bastrop Sculpture Project Celebrates Texas Artists, Adds To Art Community Attractions In Lost Pines Region

PR Newswire, 3/3/15, tinyurl.com/m99eugz 

 

 

Saatchi Art Celebrates Local Talent with Group Show in Austin

Business Wire, 3/3/15,  tinyurl.com/lcpvov6

 

2014 All Star logo     

The Cultural Arts Division was awarded a Constant Contact 2014 All Star Award in Recognition of Excellence in Email Marketing.