Attention Campers! Artscape, America’s largest free arts festival invites artists and vendors to apply for its 36th year, July 21-23, 2017. This year’s theme is “Camp Artscape: Adventure Awaits.” For many, one of the most exciting parts of summer is taking time to engage in new experiences. Whether at an away camp or a local summer program, it’s something to look forward to all year—truly a staple of the summer season. The same goes for Artscape; it’s just not summer without it! The theme allows all involved to step out of their comfort zone, learn something new, and experience the adventure that awaits in Baltimore.
The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts is accepting applications for Anchor Projects (Large-Scale Art Installations), Art Cars, Artist-Run Art Fair, Artists’ Market, Artists’ Market, Emerging Artist Program, Charles Street Trail, MICA’s Pinkard Gallery Visual Art Exhibition, Food Vendors, Fred Lazarus IV Artscape Prize (“The Fred”), Gamescape, In the Neighborhood, Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize, Kidscape, LOL@Artscape, Arts Organizations and Performing Arts(opera, theatre, dance, classical music, etc.). Applications are available at www.artscape.org/applications. The deadlines for submission and application fees vary. Artscapetakes place Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23, 2017 along Mount Royal Avenue andNorth Charles Street. Artscape is produced by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts on behalf of the Baltimore Festival of the Arts, Inc.
2017 ARTSCAPE APPLICATIONS
Anchor Projects (Large-Scale Art Installations)
Artscape includes approximately four large-scale outdoor performance and/or interactive artwork anchors. Artists and artist collaborative groups working in both the visual and performing arts are encouraged to apply. Projects should incorporate this year’s theme of camp. Proposals that both literally and/or conceptually include the theme of camp are encouraged. The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 24, 2017.
Charles Street Trail (Interactive Installation)
Artscape includes approximately a dozen installations and/or sculptures to be featured along the Charles Street Bridge corridor. Artists and artist collaborative groups working in both the visual and performing arts are encouraged to apply. The festival’s theme of camp/camping should be considered broadly, and creatively incorporated into proposed projects. Proposals that both literally and/or conceptually include the theme of camp are encouraged. The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 24, 2017.
Art Cars
Artscape invites art car artists to be part of the annual Art Car Show and Art Car Parade in Baltimore. Submissions should incorporate this year’s theme of camp; camp-themed and camp-related vehicles such as RVs, campers, caravan, small trailers, canoes, etc. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 31, 2017.
Artist-Run Art Fair
In partnership with Open Space Baltimore, the pop-up contemporary art fair is composed of artist-run galleries and exhibition spaces displaying artwork, installations and performances by the artists they represent. Emerging and innovative small, DIY, artist run and cooperatively managed art and exhibition venues from Baltimore and beyond are encouraged to apply. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 31, 2017.
Artists’ Market
The Artists’ Market highlights visual artists who create and execute original, professional quality work. Submission categories include mixed media, clay, drawing/graphics/printmaking, fiber/leather, glass, jewelry, metal, painting, photography/digital art, wearable art/fashion, wood and other. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 31, 2017.
Artists’ Market Emerging Artist Program
The Emerging Artist Program provides an Artists’ Market space to a local up-and-coming artist at no cost. Selected artists will be paired with mentors – established artists working in the same medium who will be available as a resource. A limited number of scholarships are available for this competitive program. Applicants must complete Artists’ Market application by Friday, March 31, 2017.
“Field Work” Inside MICA’s Pinkard Gallery
To be hosted in MICA’s Pinkard Gallery, “Field Work” is an indoor exhibition that will include artworks whose subject matter or form demonstrate how nature and/or the fields of science intersect with art. “Field Work” seeks artworks that incorporate nature and science thematically, artwork made from a scientific approach or artworks made from natural materials for final selection. Artists are encouraged to think broadly, either literally or abstractly in their interpretation of this exhibition topic. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 31, 2017.
Food Vendors
Artscape is continuing its commitment to 100% local independent Maryland vendors this year. In keeping with that local commitment, Artscape encourages applicants to apply while keeping the theme of ‘camp’ in mind when designing their menu. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 10, 2017.
Fred Lazarus IV Artscape Prize (“The Fred”)
“The Fred” awards $1,000 to a high school student artist living or going to school in Baltimore City as well as a stipend to produce a solo exhibition, with mentorship from BOPA staff, to be on display at the 36th annual Artscape. Applicants must be high school students at the time of application submission. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, April 30, 2017.
Gamescape
Gamescape showcases videogames and the creative people who make them. Developers and designers are invited to promote their work through demos and panels. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 31, 2017.
In the Neighborhood
Artscape is now accepting applications from businesses and organizations in the Bolton Hill, Midtown and Station North Arts and Entertainment district who are offering a unique experience for festival-goers. Proposals that both literally or conceptually include the theme of camp are encouraged. The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 5, 2017.
Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize
The 12th annual Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize is a $25,000 fellowship awarded to an artist living and working in the Baltimore region. This year, the finalists’ work will be featured in the Special Exhibition Galleries at the Walters Art Museum. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, January 17, 2017.
Kidscape
The adventure awaits at Camp Kidscape, the youth’s component at Artscape. Camp Kidscape is now accepting proposals from organizations and entertainers with fun craft ideas, demonstrations, dance, music or performances. Proposals that both literally or conceptually include the theme of camp are encouraged. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 31, 2017.
LOL @ Artscape
LOL@Artscape is Artscape’s funniest event! The two-night performance highlights the area’s best up-and-coming comedic talents. Selected comics will be expected to perform sets between 10 and 15 minutes. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 31, 2017.
Arts Organizations
Nonprofit organizations that support the visual or performing arts in Baltimore and the surrounding region can apply for exhibition space at the festival. Groups have the opportunity to reach thousands of festival-goers; therefore, they are encouraged to use the exhibit space as a marketing and promotional tool. Eligible nonprofits include arts-related cultural institutions, cultural resources and educational institutions. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 31, 2017.
Performing Arts (Dance, Theatre, Opera, Classical Music, etc.)
Artscape hosts a full schedule of dance, theatre, street theatre, pop-up performances, opera, classical and folk music as well as other creative performances. Performers and performance groups should engage and entertain a broad spectrum of Artscape festival-goers while also developing new audiences. Special attention is given to performances which incorporate the 2017 theme of camp. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 31, 2017.
Attracting more than 350,000 festival-goers annually, Artscape features a full schedule of performing arts including live concerts from national, regional and local acts on multiple outdoor stages; professional dance troupes and a wide variety of opera, theater, street theatre and classical music performances. Additionally, the festival showcases visual artists from the Baltimore region and beyond through an artists’ market, outdoor & indoor exhibitions, prize programs and more. Admission is free.
For more information on Artscape, call 410-752-8632 or visit www.artscape.org.