Artsweek is BACK!

Artsweek 2021
Call for Proposals, Program Guidelines, and Application Form

Festival Dates: September 24 to October 3, 2021
Application Deadline: August 6, 2021 at 11:59PM
www.artsweekpeterborough.ca
infoartsweek@gmail.com

Artsweek Background

Artsweek is Peterborough’s “festival of the arts” – an extravaganza of music, literary and spoken word arts, puppetry and kid’s programming, media arts, visual arts, circus art, dance, theatre and performance of all kinds, unfolding online and in public spaces and established art venues across the city.

Artsweek takes place every other year. Artsweek 2020 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic (replaced by Artsweek SHIFT), but makes its triumphant return in 2021.

Since its beginning as part of the City of Peterborough’s Centennial Celebrations in 2005, this legacy project has brought new work to new audiences in unexpected ways, supported original creation by local artists, and celebrated Peterborough as an innovative, creative community with a vibrant arts scene. Projects can take anywhere in the city or online, and proposals for unexpected arts venues are especially welcome.

Artsweek is produced by the Electric City Culture Council (EC3). The Festival typically includes approximately 30 projects, 60 events, more than 100 artists, and about 80 partners. Artsweek 2021 is a slightly modified version of the Festival due to the pressures of COVID-19, with a greater focus on commissions and co-productions

Call for Proposals

Download the application form PDF

Instructions

If you would like to apply to be part of Artsweek 2021 and receive funding to support your project, please read all the information below before completing the application form at the end of this package.

Please use the checklist on the final page to ensure you have included all the required information. Applications are welcome from individual artists in any discipline, from all kinds and sizes of arts organizations, and from partnerships and collaborations between arts and non-arts applicants.

Timeline / Deadlines

  • July 21, 2021 – Call for Proposals
  • August 6, 2021 – Call for Proposals Deadline (at 11:59pm)
  • August 18, 2021 – Results Announced
  • September 24 to October 3, 2021 – Artsweek 2021 Festival
  • October 29, 2021 – Final Reports Due

Programming

This is an Open Call for innovative new projects in any artistic discipline, for any location within the city or online, following current COVID-19 public health guidelines.

This Call for Proposals includes, but is not limited to: performance (dance, theatre, multi-disciplinary), visual art (installations, interventions, exhibitions), media arts, writing/spoken word, and any form of music or sound. Individual artists, collectives, ad hoc groups, or arts organizations may propose projects. Conventional, pop-ups, one time, continuous or short-run project proposals are all eligible. Curated, educational or community-based projects are eligible. Partnerships and collaborations with other organizations are welcome. Artists are encouraged to explore ideas taking place anywhere in the City, as well as in online spaces.

  • Artsweek encourages artists working in a variety of disciplines to submit their original ideas for funding to create new work. The overarching programming theme for Artsweek 2021 is “art in unexpected places.”
  • Artsweek welcomes submissions from individual artists, curators, and collectives to apply with new project proposals.
  • The festival strives to present projects that reflect and promote the cultural, racial and social diversity of Peterborough and Canada today.
  • The programming for the 2021 Festival will remain focused on the downtown core, however Artsweek looks to include some projects located outside of the downtown as well. There are a number of sites that Artsweek is interested in programming, such as the London Street Footbridge, Riverview Park and Zoo and the Peterborough Lift Locks among others. Artists are encouraged to summit site specific ideas for these locations or suggest other potential sites/venues for their projects. Artsweek 2021 will feature fewer projects of a larger scale than in previous years.
  • Artists are invited to submit ideas for art interventions that transform and activate city spaces. Project proposals may include the work(s) of one artist or several.

Financial Support

Artsweek grants will contribute between $2,000 and $5,000 towards projects; however, artists are encouraged to seek out other funding sources to help contribute to the full cost of their projects if possible. Artsweek will support artists in their applications/requests to other funding sources. Artsweek will collect donations at all events. That revenue goes to the overall costs of the Festival.

All Artsweek events are free to the public.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants may include individual artists (emerging to established), collectives, ad hoc groups, or arts and culture organizations etc. from the City and County of Peterborough, including Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.

Eligible applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or people upon whom refugee protection has been conferred.

Projects must be presented within city limits or online during the week of September 24 to October 3, 2021.

Equity and Inclusion

Artsweek and EC3 are committed to equity and inclusion, and welcome applications from diverse cultural communities within the City and County of Peterborough including people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or people living with disabilities.

If you are a first-time applicant and need assistance with the process, please contact the Artsweek team at: infoartsweek@gmail.com. Please watch social media for an announcement of a public information workshop about applications to Artsweek 2021.

Vulnerable Communities

If your project involves working with a vulnerable community (e.g. minors, those living with mental illness, economic disadvantage, etc.), EC3 may require the completion of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) from any project participants who will be interacting directly with members of that community, before Artsweek funds can be released. Proof that the participant has recently passed a PVSC (within the last year) will also be acceptable. EC3 can cover the cost of the PVSC upon request.

Assessment of Applications

A Programming Committee selected by the EC3 Board of Directors will review applications/proposals. Projects will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • Artistic merit of the project
  • Clarity of artist’s statement and project description
  • Project feasibility (budget and demonstrated ability to carry out the project)
  • Available funds, potential impact, and fit with Artsweek’s mandate will also be important criteria.

Notification

Artsweek will email you a notice acknowledging receipt of your submission shortly after the final application deadline. Acknowledgement indicates that your application has been received, not that it is eligible or approved. You will be informed of the results by August 18, 2021.

Successful Applicants

If your application is successful, EC3/Artsweek will send you a Letter of Agreement.

Application Checklist

  • Title of Project
  • Project Summary (25 words maximum)
  • Project Description (500 words maximum)
  • Artist’s Statement (250 words maximum)
  • Location/Venue Information (250 words maximum)
  • CV (3 pages max)
  • Support Materials
  • Budget Form

Contact

Gabe Pollock, EC3/Artsweek Program Coordinator
infoartsweek@gmail.com
705-749-9101
www.artsweekpeterborough.ca


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