Open Call for Programming Submissions

Charlotte Street Foundation accepts programming submissions on a rolling basis. Applicants can be artists (of any discipline), curators, or cultural producers wishing to partner with Charlotte Street to produce programming on or off site of Charlotte Street’s exhibition spaces.

CRITERIA

Proposals may be for contemporary arts projects including, but not limited to, visual art exhibitions, installations, original live performances (dance, theater, music, performance art, spoken word, etc.), video screenings, literary readings/events, public programs, and collaborative projects.

Ideal Programming:

• Presents leading-edge contemporary work of all disciplines, including work that is unconventional, experimental, site-specific, and multi-disciplinary
• Advances Charlotte Street’s mission of challenging, nurturing and empowering artists of exceptional vision & compelling originality
• Contributes diversity to Kansas City’s arts ecology, including through artists involved, ideas explored, approaches employed, and communities and audiences engaged

Eligibility

Artists and arts organizers of all disciplines (visual and performing arts) 21 and older and not currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program are eligible to apply. Curators and/or organizers from outside of the Kansas City area are encouraged to apply, however should (as part of the proposal) describe how their project engages specifically with Kansas City artists or community in a compelling way. (Examples would be an exchange proposal, curating a mix of artists including some artists from the Kansas City community, a social practice project that engages directly with specific Kansas City communities, etc.)

Project Resources:

Stipends - Charlotte Street will provide modest stipends for selected projects to assist with such expenses as artist fees, project-specific supplies, production assistance, and packing and/or shipping of artworks. Project stipends will vary depending on the needs and scope of the project, in a range of $200-$1000. Most projects will receive funding in the $400-$500 range.

Promotional Support - For most projects, Charlotte Street will separately fund and produce printed cards/fliers, exhibition signage, and basic didactic materials (copies of exhibition checklists, performance programs, etc.) Promotional support is also supplied via social media, email mailings, and other non-print media.

Installation & Equipment - Charlotte Street provides access to some equipment and installation assistance. A limited supply of flat screen monitors, projectors, DVD players, sound equipment, seating, and platform stage units may be available. La Esquina La Esquina (1000 W. 25th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108) is a 2500 square-foot, high-ceilinged, “white box” space. The space is equipped with two 14-foot moveable walls, multiple floor and ceiling outlets, track lighting, and two bathrooms. Garage doors on opposite sides of the space allow for load-in of large work, and for opening the gallery to the city, creating a flow between indoor and outdoor activities.

Submission Process:

CURATORIAL & CULTURAL PRODUCER PROPOSALS Curatorial opportunities are open to organizers such as independent curators, choreographers, composers, producers, and directors, etc. These proposals should clearly describe the programming or exhibition concept and define proposed needs/use of Charlotte Street resources, timeline, and budget. A cursory list of participants (unconfirmed is okay) should be part of the proposal, along with condensed bios for each and/or links to websites and CVs. 4-5 images, video, or sound files should be included in the proposal to demonstrate the artistic integrity of the project. Submissions should come to submissions@charlottestreet.org in the form of a cover letter with PDF attachment of the full project proposal. The subject line should read CURATORIAL PROPOSAL.

PARTNERING PROPOSALS

Charlotte Street does look for opportunities to partner with organizations, collaboratives, performance ensembles, and community groups. Partnering proposals should clearly address the desired goals and outcomes of the potential partnership, resource needs and expectations, budget, and provide 4-5 visuals that establish aesthetic/content direction of the project. Submissions should come to submissions@charlottestreet.org in the form of a cover letter with PDF attachment of the full project proposal. The subject line should read PARTNERING PROPOSAL.

INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS/PERFORMERS

Charlotte Street very rarely provides a platform for solo exhibitions or performances. Individual artist submissions are also included in the pool of artists considered for group exhibitions, studio visits with guest curators, and opportunities for collaborations, workshops, performance series, etc. If interested, please submit your website, 4-5 low res jpegs of your work , and/or a link to sound or video files (along with any specific ideas you have related to programming) to submissions@charlottestreet.org with the subject line ARTIST SUBMISSION.

REVIEW PROCESS

Proposals will be reviewed twice yearly (in July and January). Selections will be made by Charlotte Street staff in consultation with the Progamming Advisory Council, a cross section of representative artists, curators, and organizers from the CSF community. Notifications will go out to artists accordingly. Artists that are not selected can request feedback on their proposals if interested. Some proposals may be selected for immediate integration into the schedule, others may be chosen by the staff to develop further with the individual or organization submitting the proposal.

ANNUAL DEADLINES

January 31- Deadline for proposals for June-December (notifications in early spring) July 30 - Deadline for proposals for January-June of the following year (notifications in the fall).