City of Guelph Artist in Residence Program 2015 - Call for Artists
Deadline: Monday, May 11, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
The City of Guelph invites professional artists to submit proposals to be selected for the 2015 City of Guelph
Artist in Residence program. Demonstrated experience working with the public will be considered an asset.
The total budget for the 2015 Artist in Residence program is $5,000 and is inclusive of all components of the
project. This is not a live-in residency.
General Information
The City of Guelph Artist in Residence Program, piloted in 2014 as the Artist in the Community Program, is a
cultural initiative that embeds artists in a variety of public spaces. As an integral part of this program, artists are
asked to engage the community in creative experiences. Engagement may include hands-on creative activities,
collaborative creation of temporary works or exploration of broader community stories. The public space
selected for 2015 is the core area of Downtown Guelph.
Program Goals
• To animate public space through creative activity
• To enhance community wellbeing through access to and participation in cultural programming
• To provide opportunities for artists to engage with the public and showcase their creative practices
• To broaden the community experience of the arts by integrating cultural programming within a variety
of public spaces
Roles
The City of Guelph will provide:
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Assistance with any necessary permits for public space (as appropriate)
Limited space for the storage of materials
An opportunity for presentation and celebration at the end of the residency
A budget of $5000, which includes artist fees and funding to cover other costs directly related to the
project
Promotional support
Recognition of the artist as the official City of Guelph Artist in Residence for 2015
City of Guelph photo name badge for the duration of the residency
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The Artist will:
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Commit to engaging community members in creative experiences
Deliver the selected project within the program’s timeline and budget
Provide weekly progress updates to City staff
Be available to speak with the media
Attend a debriefing session with City staff at the end of the residency period
2015 Program Information
Background
2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the writing of Lt. Col. John McCrae’s poem, In Flanders Fields. This
milestone will be celebrated community wide throughout the year with a series of signature initiatives and
events. As part of the commemoration, a bronze statue of John McCrae by Canadian sculptor Ruth Abernethy
will be installed in front of Guelph Civic Museum overlooking Guelph’s historic downtown.
Scope of Work
Drawing inspiration from McCrae’s poem and/or the theme of remembrance, the Artist in Residence will
develop a community art project that will enhance the 100th anniversary commemorative experience in Guelph’s
downtown core, for residents and visitors. This project is open to all art forms including visual, literary or
performing arts, architecture, and sound or media arts such as film or photography. Working with City staff, the
selected artist will establish a plan that includes a schedule and site considerations for interaction with
community during the residency period. The residency is expected to result in a tangible outcome such as a
temporary installation, creative collaboration, exhibition, event or community experience that will be shared
and celebrated with the public at the end of the residency period.
Site Considerations
A thriving downtown is important to the success and sustainability of a city. This program offers the opportunity
to creatively animate Guelph’s downtown public spaces while encouraging the community to experience its
sights, sounds, character and history. The Downtown Guelph community is inclusive of workers, merchants,
residents, facilities, organizations, visitors and shoppers.
Eligibility Requirements
Professional artists working in any medium or discipline are eligible to apply.
A professional artist is someone who has completed specialized training in an artistic field or who is recognized
by peers as an established artist, is committed to his or her artistic activity, and has a history of public
presentation, exhibition and/or publishing.
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Artists who participated in the 2014 Artist in the Community Program are not eligible to apply. City of Guelph
employees are not eligible to apply.
Selection Process and Criteria
A Selection Panel composed of members of the City’s Public Art Advisory Committee and City staff will review
proposals based on the project goals and selection criteria. The Panel will develop a ranked list of two to three
qualified candidates who may be invited for an interview. Final selection of an artist will be made following the
interview process.
The panel will score proposals on the basis of:
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Experience, interests and talents of the artists and how they complement the 2015 Program
Quality of the proposal and how it responds to the identified public space
Demonstrated experience and inventiveness in working collaboratively with communities
Knowledge and skills required to facilitate, coordinate, and administrate the project
Demonstrated new and creative approach to community engagement as it relates to the community
profile
The artist selected for the project will be required to enter into an agreement with the City of Guelph.
2015 Program Time Line
April 13 – May 11, 2015 – Applications accepted
May 12 – May 21, 2015 – Review of submissions and interviews
June 15 – August 28, 2015 – Residency period (commitment of approximately 8hrs/week)
Application Process
A COMPLETE SUBMISSION MUST INCLUDE ALL THE INFORMATION AND MATERIALS DESCRIBED BELOW.
Artists wishing to be considered must submit a complete package, with the following items:
1. Application form (included at the end of this document).
2. Detailed project proposal (maximum 1000 words) including:
• A statement of what the artist hopes to accomplish;
• A description of the specific project proposed for Downtown Guelph and a vision for community
involvement;
• An execution plan including timeline, materials, budget, and any technical or operational
assistance requests, and;
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A summary of qualifications and experience that outlines the artist’s suitability for a community
art project.
3. Artist resume including biography, educational background, exhibitions/publications/performances as
well as awards and related experience. (maximum 3 pages)
4. Support Materials – Attach up to 5 samples of your artistic work. Label materials, Artist Name_Number,
corresponding to a documentation list:
• Image files: JPEG, PDF, or BMP formats. High resolution.
• Video files: Must be accessible online (Vimeo, YouTube). Up to 10 minutes long.
• Audio files: Up to 10 minutes long.
• Written files: PDF format.
5. Documentation list – Provide a numbered list with artist’s name, description of work, title, date created,
medium(s), and dimensions (if applicable) for all support materials.
Please include only the items listed above. Additional materials will not be presented to the selection panel.
Deadline
Complete proposal packages must be received on or before May 11, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. Submissions may be
sent via email or hard copy. Digital submissions should be in Word or PDF format and emailed to
[email protected] with “2015 Artist in Residence” in the subject line. Late or incomplete proposals will not
be accepted.
Hard copy submissions can be delivered to:
River Run Centre – Box Office
35 Woolwich Street
Guelph, ON N1H 3V1
Box Office hours are Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The City of Guelph reserves the right to not recommend any application, proposal or finalist and to terminate or
re-advertise any project.
Applicants will be notified of their status as soon as the selection process is complete. The notification date is
approximately 3-4 weeks following the application deadline.
For additional information or questions please contact:
Jen Rafter, Cultural Program and Event Coordinator
Culture, Tourism and Community Investment, Public Services
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2629
[email protected]
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City of Guelph Artist in Residence Program 2015
Application Form
NAME (Please print or type):
ADDRESS:
CITY:
POSTAL CODE:
TELEPHONE:
EMAIL:
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S):
Checklist of Required Materials
☐ Application Form
☐ Detailed Project Proposal
☐ Artist Resume
☐ Support Materials
☐ Documentation list
SIGNATURE:
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