AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

The Arts Council for Long Beach is issuing this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking performers, artists, artist groups and organizations able to engage City of Long Beach residents through participation in the A LOT Initiative, a program of the Arts Council for Long Beach supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Our Town grant.

Date Issued: Wednesday, November 14, 2012; Submittal Date: Wednesday, January 9, 2013

DESCRIPTION

The Arts Council for Long Beach seeks qualified performers, artists, artist groups and organizations capable of and committed to creating performance-based artwork that activates vacant lots, buildings and other non-traditional locations within Long Beach neighborhoods. We seek qualified community-conscious partners committed to close-to-home collaboration and artistic engagement with local residents. Underserved neighborhoods will enjoy the benefits afforded by dance, music, theatre, spoken word, video, installation, and multi-media performances, all offered free to the public. This initiative is intended to increase access to the arts and expand audiences so as to include both intentional viewers and casual passers-by.

PROJECT GOALS

The A LOT Initiative's primary goal is to broaden audience and artist engagement as well as expand geographic scope, with underserved communities especially benefiting. As a result, presentations and performances will take place, until the end of September 2014, throughout the City of Long Beach. Rather than scheduling activities within enclosed venues that limit attendance and running times, our objective is to creatively activate, through sound, light, art and performance, vacant lots, streets, and other open spaces.

The intended outcome for the NEA Our Town Initiative is to generate, through the arts, livable communities throughout the United States. The A LOT Series will improve quality of life by fostering both stronger community identity and a sense of place, as well as revitalize economic development by way of supporting creative activity.

Events will promote the concept of creative placemaking, encouraging communities to animate public and private spaces, rejuvenate streetscapes, improve local business viability and public safety, while bringing together diverse people to celebrate, to inspire and to be inspired.

BUDGET
Each event will vary in budget size and scope. Initial estimates range from $1,000 - $10,000.

ELIGIBILITY
This Initiative is open to all regional performers, artists, artist groups and organizations. Preference will be given to applicants who live and/or work in Long Beach. Applicants outside of Long Beach welcome to apply but will be required to work in partnership with Long Beach-based performers, artists, artist groups or organizations.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Contact Information. Please include a cover sheet with your application that includes the following: individual/group/organization name, primary point of contact, mailing address, email, and telephone number.
2. Letter of Interest. This letter of interest, not to exceed two pages in length, must address the following: the applicant's relevant experience, expertise and abilities related to the initiative; the mission, goals, and description of the individual/group or organization applying; and, a few examples of performances the applicant has done in the past.
3. Resume. If the applicant is an individual, submit a current resume not to exceed one page. If the applicant is a group, a current resume must be submitted for each group member. If you are submitting as an organization or performance group, please provide an organizational profile that aptly describes your experience with relevant productions/events of significance.
4. Artistic Documentation. Submit up to 5 minutes of video documentation in .mov, .avi, mp4 format and/or 15 images on a CD in .jpg, .jpeg, .png or .tiff format.
5. Annotated Artistic Documentation List. Describe each image/video you submit. This must include individual/group/organization name, title, medium, location, date, and description.
6. Letters of Reference. Include two professional letters of reference from individuals who have knowledge of your work and working methods. Letters must be on organizational letterhead signed by the highest ranking official in the organization and include current email and telephone number.
7. Locations. Submit up to three locations in Long Beach where event/s could take place. If selected to participate in this initiative, we will work together to select final locations.
8. SASE. A self-addressed stamped envelope must be included for the return of application materials.
9. Optional. You may include up to three selections of support materials such as reviews, news articles, or marketing collateral that further demonstrate your qualifications. [Note: Selected applicants will be required to partner with local businesses, organizations and associations. Examples include local area Business Improvement District; local area neighborhood association; and, local area schools.]

SELECTION PROCESS
Applicant qualifications will be evaluated by an Independent Review Panel (IRP) who will review all submissions and select the applicants to participate in the A LOT Initiative. These selected applicants will then work with the Arts Council for Long Beach to further develop, program and implement events throughout the City of Long Beach. Applicants may be asked to collaborate with another group or individuals to create the events. The site locations will be determined in collaboration with each group, in consideration of local community needs.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
1. Relevant professional knowledge and experience
2. Demonstrated track record of successful community projects and events
3. Proven artistic merit and strong professional qualifications
4. Quality of application materials
5. Overall ability to meet the primary goals of initiative

TENATIVE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 Deadline for RFQ Submissions February 2013 Applicants Selected March 2013 Events Developed and Finalized June 2013 – September 2014 A LOT Implementation TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

WORKSHOP
An optional technical assistance workshop will be offered to review and discuss the Long Beach A LOT Initiative, the goals of the NEA "Our Town" grants nationwide, the concept of creative placemaking related to Long Beach and the RFQ.
Date: Wednesday November 28, 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Location: Neighborhood Resource Center
Address: 425 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach 90802
To Register: (http://alotworkshop.eventbrite.com)

DEADLINE
Postmarked by Wednesday, January 9, 2013

SUBMISSION ADDRESS
Arts Council for Long Beach
Attn: Molly Gardner
350 Elm Avenue Long Beach, CA 90802

QUESTIONS
Molly Gardner Grants and Community Projects Manager molly.gardner@artslb.org (562) 435-2787 ext: 104
www.artslb.org

The Arts Council for Long Beach promotes, supports, educates, funds and advocates for arts and culture in Long Beach. Founded in 1976, ACLB is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a local Board of Directors and managed by a professional staff.

from LA Culture Net