Call to Artists – Outdoor Group Exhibition
Northern Passion nordique – Winterlude 2012 (February 3-20, 2012)
Canada’s Capital Region – Confederation Park in the National Capital
Deadline for Submissions: November 14, 2011
The National Capital Commission (NCC) is seeking Canadian professional artists for an outdoor group exhibit Northern Passion nordique to be held in Confederation Park in the National Capital during Winterlude 2012. To ensure that public art is an integral part of its existing programming, the NCC wants to highlight Canadian artistic excellence and enrich the experience of Canadians who wish to enjoy the pleasures of winter in their capital. Every year between 300,000 and 400,000 persons visit this official Winterlude site, making it an exceptional place for public presentation of works of art by Canadian artists. Winterlude, celebrating Canada’s winter, will take place from February 3 to 20, 2012 and will present a wide choice of memorable experiences showcasing Canada’s outdoors, winter sports, cultural and artistic diversity, winter traditions and culinary creativity.
Site Description
Confederation Park is located in the heart of Ottawa at the corner of Elgin Street and Laurier Avenue. It’s right by the Rideau Canal, which in winter is transformed into the world’s largest skating rink. During Winterlude, Confederation Park hosts professional sculptors who come from all parts of the world to participate in international ice sculpture competitions, and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. Confederation Park has an area of 2.63 hectares.
Contents of package to be presented:
• Current résumé.
• Description of artist’s approach.
• Description of proposed work (title, medium, dimensions, date, sketch or photographs or both) * All media will be considered. Works can exist or need to be created.
• List of specific and technical installation needs.
* Both individual and group proposals are welcome.
Selection criteria
• Demonstrate creativity in expressing the theme of the exhibit – Northern Passion.
• Demonstrate artistic excellence.
• Artwork can be enjoyed day and night.
• Artwork for family audience.
• Artwork created by a Canadian professional artist.
• Respect for the art installation guidelines.
The NCC:
• will provide artists with a $2,000 exhibit fee for a three‑week period;
• will provide up to 2 nights accommodation during installation (hotel room reserved by NCC);
• will promote the exhibit and the artists on its Internet site, and will offer exceptional visibility of the works;
• will provide a secure site day and night;
• will provide some technical support during installation;
• will provide lighting for the works;
• will install an interpretation panel presenting each work and artist and providing a QR code directing visitors to the artist’s Internet site, if any.
The artist:
• will retain copyright in the work, and will grant the NCC unlimited permission to use photographs and clips of the work for non‑commercial promotion purposes;
• will respect the timeline and the installation guidelines;
• will be responsible for transportation and installation of the work; the NCC will reimburse a predetermined amount depending on the distance driven;
• will have proof of $2 million in civil liability insurance coverage.
Timeline
• The deadline for proposals to be received is November 14, 2011.
• A maximum of five works will be selected by a jury of visual arts professionals. The selected artists will be contacted on November 21, 2011.
• The deadline for final works to be received is January 26, 2012.
• The works are to be installed on the site from January 30 to February 2, 2012.
Art installation guidelines
• It must be possible for the works to be installed outdoors and to withstand winter weather (rain, snow, wind, freezing rain, cold, and weight of snow). The NCC will not be responsible for deterioration of the works.
• The works must be freestanding and self‑supporting. No attachment to trees, park fixtures or any other permanent structure is allowed.
• The works must be safe for the public at all times.
• More specific instructions will be included in the legal contract with the selected artists.
Project proposals, identified “Northern Passion nordique exhibit”, are to be sent
by email to: ysabel.jette@ncc-ccn.ca<mailto:ysabel.jette@ncc-ccn.ca>
* 10 images maximum will be accepted. Please use low‑resolution documents and digital photographs (.jpg, .pdf).
or by mail to:
National Capital Commission
“Northern Passion nordique exhibit”
40 Elgin Street, Room 202
Ottawa ON K1P 1C7
Please note that no files will be returned.
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