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Open Positions
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Artist Call - Winter Arts Festival 2024
Deadline November 10, 2023 (midnight)Visual artists with a focus on light-based media, installation, AR/VR/XR, and immersive experiences are invited to submit projects to participate in the Winter Arts Festival. We welcome applications from artists in a variety of media who address the curatorial vision and technical requirements of the festival. The curatorial team will select the participating projects based on a combination of experience, thematic fit, budget, and feasibility.
These projects may fall into one of two categories: Festival Funded Projects and Supported Projects. All applications may be considered for both streams.
The Funded projects will be produced by VMF, with budgets ranging from $2,000 - $15,000 depending on the proposal requirements. Supported Projects are self-produced partners of the event, and can include local Victoria based artists, collectives, educational institutions, and neighbourhood groups identified along the Art Walk sites. Supported Projects will receive marketing and promotional support from VMF, as well as assistance with site permitting and curatorial feedback. Strong installation planning and capacity in applications will be noted.
There will be a minimum of 5 Funded Projects in 2024, selected from the Artist Call. The rest will be curated by invitation with preference given to local artists. While International and Canadian artists are invited to apply, we currently do not have the budget to support artist travel or per diems.
2024 Theme: Light and LanguageThe Winter Arts Festival 2024 is a 4-day festival in partnership with VMF and the City of Victoria happening February 16th to 19th, 2024 on the land of the lək̓ʷəŋən People, the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations (also known as Victoria, BC). Free to attend except for 19+ events, everyone is invited downtown to enjoy new works of temporary public art popping up in unexpected places.
The Winter Arts Festival spotlights the fusion of light, language and technology in captivating light-based public art. In the darkest season, light serves as a vital form of communication, conveying warnings and radiating warmth while creating spaces for reflection and storytelling. Amidst the daily urban backdrop of neon signs, street names, and plaques, the 2024 Winter Arts Festival sharpens its focus on the intersection of communication, technology, and illumination, unveiling the stories woven in Victoria and Vancouver’s historic alleyways and streets.
The artworks will utilise technology and light and will include 3D art, interactive displays, projections, digital and augmented reality, laser animations, and many other kinds of installations that will bring light and warmth during one of the darkest times of year. Curation will be highlighting works by Lekwungen, Black and Asian artists across the festival footprint.
Eligibility
We welcome applications from artists in a variety of media who address the curatorial vision and technical requirements of displaying work in public space. We especially encourage applications from Victoria-based artists or teams who have previous experience with illuminated installations, lighting design concepts, projections, AR/VR/XR, or other light-based media.
Proposal GuidelinesScale & Materials
Installation projects of compelling scale to be placed in outdoor public spaces for a period of 4 days in Victoria (with the possibility of a move and second weekend installation in Vancouver).
Some projects in Victoria may be installed for longer, as early as the beginning of February to late March. This will be considered for Artworks if installation and material is appropriate for a longer public display, depending on availability of sites and budget.
AR (Augmented Reality) should be able to be displayed using Spark AR and would be co-hosted between the Artists’ and WAF accounts.
Sites
Artwork does not need to be site specific at the time of proposal, and selected pieces may be shown in both Victoria and Vancouver.
A confirmed venue is not required to apply but site-responsiveness is an asset for your proposal. Please describe the type of location you are seeking (for example: a park, alleyway, courtyard, storefront, etc.) as well as the reason behind your site/venue choice. Is it a creative request or an installation and logistics request?
Interactivity and Installation
Interactive components/aspects are encouraged. They must be durable, able to withstand temperature variations and excessive usage.
If proposed to be displayed outdoors, installations need to be able to withstand Pacific Northwest winters: rain, wind, potentially snow, etc.
Electrical components must be contained in outdoor rated dry boxes or an acceptable alternative.
Projector enclosures must be weatherproof and constructed to include a proper intake and output fan ventilation system for cooling purposes.
Installation must be stable and safe for public audiences of all ages.
Installations of exceeding height must include secondary safety structures as a safeguard in the event of a base or anchor failure. Structural assessment by a licensed professional contracted by the artist/designer may be required with the final technical proposal.
Artist FeesIn 2024, the Winter Arts team is considering proposals for a total of 6-10 installations with budgets of different sizes, and fees may vary accordingly. Project budgets will range between $2,000 and $15,000.
Artists will receive 50% of the agreed upon fees after the final proposal has been approved.
The remaining 50% of the fee will be provided after the conclusion of the Festival. Failure to complete the installation with the agreed upon specifications may result in a forfeit of the second portion of the fee.
We welcome submissions of new and completed work, and work that has been shown previously.
SUBMISSIONS CHECKLISTSketch or rendering of proposed installation concept
Artist CV and/or bio
Work samples: Maximum of three images and information showing comparable projects or previous work that illustrates the artist's experience.
Please include links to work as applicable.
Full proposals including all materials should be uploaded digitally by 11:59 pm on November 10, 2023 via VMF’s online forms. If you would like to propose multiple works, please include them in a single proposal package.
We look forward to seeing your submissions. If you would like assistance with the application process or have any questions, please reach out to us at hello@vanmuralfest.com.
Your application will be acknowledged upon receipt, though due to volume, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Create Vancouver Society is open to applicants of all races, ethnicities, identities, abilities, ages, and genders, and the organization is particularly interested in reviewing applicants who self-identify as members of groups with minority representation in leadership
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Apply to be a performer at our upcoming events at Vancouver Mural Fest 2023.
We ask that performers apply by April 24 to be considered for events this summer.
Applications received thereafter will be kept on file for future VMF events.
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Apply as a food truck, cart, or food service vendor at Vancouver Mural Fest 2023.
The deadline to submit your Food Service Application is May 15, 2023. Applications received thereafter will be kept on file for consideration for future events and cancellations.
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Is your business or organization looking to market at our festival? Apply for a vendor booth.
The deadline to submit your application is May 15, 2023. Applications received thereafter will be kept on file for consideration for future events and cancellations.
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Calling all visual artists! We are looking for folks to vend at the VMF Art Market on Thursday, August 10th from 5-9 pm in our new Market Zone within the Mount Pleasant Street Party.
Last year we welcomed over 50K attendees throughout 11 days of events. This year we have an expanded site with a 4-day Street Festival and expect to exceed 60K attendees increasing daily foot traffic for vendors substantially.We are looking specifically for Visual Art Vendors for this date. Applications are now open until July 2nd.
Applications received after this date will be held in our database for future events and as backups for cancellations.
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Applications are now closed.