The city of Glendale’s Library, Arts & Culture Department, on behalf of the city’s Arts & Culture Commission (ACC), is accepting proposals from qualified candidates who would like to participate in its Art Happens Anywhere (AHA) Program.
The unprecedented COVID-19 global pandemic has caused devastating financial constraints to the arts community, resulting in artists’ inability to pay for rent, purchase food and obtain necessities. As a result, several organizations and venues made the difficult decision to cancel or postpone art and culture programming.
In response to COVID-19 and its effects on the arts and culture community, Glendale Library and the Arts & Culture Commission (ACC) are re-launching the Art Happens Anywhere (AHA) Program. The AHA Program aims to encourage the expansion of arts and culture activities to benefit local residents during these unique times. This CFA encourages artists to consider non-traditional artwork, experiences and performances that can engage the public in unexpected ways and places, given the social distancing requirements.
Through innovative uses of digital and virtual technology, audience interactivity and unconventional delivery methods, the AHA Program seeks to foster progressive attitudes toward art, art-making, performance, and to elevate the role of art in enhancing a community. The AHA Program is also an opportunity for artists to immediately begin working on a proposed project, revitalizing the creative economy in Glendale and beyond during these challenging times.
The proposed artwork may be visual, musical, performance-based, social, experiential, environmental, sensory, and streetscape/mural art. All delivery methods will be considered. The artwork may be a one-time event, a temporary installation, or a series of events or installations.
The ACC is interested in proposals that are innovative, unique, and open to different interpretations. Proposals are encouraged to engage interactive participation with constituents. A primary aim of the AHA Program is to include cutting-edge, immersive technology that re-imagines the possibility of creative connection with an audience during the pandemic and its aftermath.
Individual project budgets from $3,000 to $15,000 will be considered, with the expectation that higher cost projects could be longer lasting, larger in scope and/or have a further reaching impact. A total allocation of $100,000 has been budgeted for the entire AHA Program.
Applicants should propose projects for display or performance during the period of June 2020 through June 2021. Applicants who submit their proposal application on or before May 18, 2020, 5 p.m., will be the first group for consideration. On May 19, 2020, the library will conduct an initial review of the proposals for funding allocation, and then the library will submit its recommendations to the city’s Arts & Culture Commission for the Commission’s consideration on May 21. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AHA projects will be programmed in accordance with the city’s emergency ordinances. The library and the ACC may also consider project proposals after the “Safer at Home” ordinance has been lifted, so that artists will be able to install and/or perform their artwork in an exhibition space or public venue in adherence to the venue’s social distancing requirements.
For more information, visit glendaleartsandculture.org/art-happens-anywhere.
