Submission Deadline: October 5, 2024 

OVERVIEW West Valley Arts Council is seeking Native American and Indigenous artists to submit 2D and 3D artwork for consideration for the IMPRINT: Native American Stories exhibit at the Arts HQ Gallery in Surprise. The exhibit will provide a comprehensive scope of representation and recognition of Arizona's most prominent culture and history.   

This opportunity is open to professional artists 18 and older living in Arizona.

IMPRINT: Native American Stories is a part of WVAC's IMPRINT: Celebrating Cultural Diversity in Arts program, created and launched in 2020. It is specifically designed to recognize artists of color in and around the valley.  We believe artists of color have made significant and positive contributions to our communities through the arts. WVAC seeks to highlight those impressions through ongoing exhibitions, workshops and lectures, and our annual IMPRINT Festival. Learn more about WVAC at www.westvalleyarts.org

CRITERIA: 

• Each entry must be the artist’s original work. No giclee or other types of prints will be accepted.
• Visual themes and media are open, however please consider the nature of viewership as the Arts HQ Gallery does cater to families and children.
• All 2D artwork must be properly framed and/or wired, not to exceed 20 lbs (no saw tooth hangers permitted).
• Selected work must include a label or identification on the back/bottom of the work, including the name of the artist and title, medium and price.

*WVAC board and staff reserves the right to refuse any work based on its inability to meet the criteria, inability to be displayed safely and without difficulty, or inappropriateness in themes or content. 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS 

1. Up to 3 entries per submission.
2. Entries must include an image of each piece (images must be at least 300 dpi and .jpg or .png format.), along with the title, size, medium, and price for each.
3. Biography of the artist
4. Statement of Work
5. Website and Instagram
6. All entries must be completed and received by midnight on the deadline date. Late submissions will not be considered.

 Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of WVAC staff members and key partners.  

EXHIBIT INFORMATION IMPRINT: Native American Stories opens Friday, November 1, 2024 with an opening reception from 5-8pm at the Arts HQ Gallery in Surprise, AZ.  During the opening, artists are encouraged to attend, mingle and network with fellow artists, visitors, and patrons. The exhibit will run through December 19th.  Artists are responsible for delivery and pick up of their artwork to the Arts HQ Gallery.  Pick up will be following the exhibit on December 20th. 

Exhibit will be featured on the West Valley Arts Council website and social media via Facebook and Instagram. Artists are also encouraged to promote the exhibit in tandem on their own social media platforms.

SCHEDULE / TIMELINE 

Submission Deadline: Saturday, October 5, 2024

Artist Notification: Wednesday, October 9

Artwork Drop off: Saturday, October 26, 10am-1pm

Exhibit Run Dates: Nov. 1 - December 19

Opening Reception: Friday, Nov. 1, 5-8pm

Artwork Pick up: Friday, December 20, 10am-1pm

QUESTIONS - Email gallery@westvalleyarts.org

West Valley Arts Council seeks interactive and experience driven art and artists for upcoming events throughout Arizona's West Valley region. Events take place monthly from October through April and are expected to be held outdoors. These are paid opportunities for artists with stipends being dependent on scope of work. 

Call will remain open until opportunities are filled. Submission will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage submission from BIPOC artists.

Examples of Type and Scope of Works:

• Interactive Installations
• Interactive Sculpture
• Audience Participatory Murals 
• Guided Art-making 

Eligibility:

• Be a local artist with fully realized and/or currently constructed works (stipend does not include funds to create new works). 
• Musical works and soundscape are welcome for submission, but please note that most events are music-centric and may conflict with the works.
• Works must be temporary with the ability to install and deinstall the on day of the the event. 
• Artist or representative must be available to manage and monitor their work during the event.
   

Selection Criteria:

• Artistic merit
• Proven ability to successfully execute proposed work during a 1 day event. 
• Artist resume
• Proposed budget 

Artist Compensation:

• WVAC will provide a paid stipend directly to the artists and is dependent on scope of work.
• Artist will be promoted throughout WVAC website and social media channels. Additional promotion may be provided through partner organizations and event advertisement. 

Evaluation of Application:

Submissions will be evaluated by WVAC staff and partners, and will based on criteria above, including consideration of the contents of each application and any supporting materials submitted. Artist must submit proposed installation or  interactive work along with description, photos/videos, and any other supporting material directly to this submission from. 

Only approved artists will be contacted to talk through the feasibility of works and event details. Please do not call about submissions. Email questions to gallery@westvalleyarts.org

Applicants may be disqualified at any point if any information in their application is found to be false, misleading, incorrect, or if terms of this guideline are not adhered to.