We’re open! And you’re invited! The newly renovated Springboard for the Arts in Saint Paul is open, with a large Community Hall and Front Yard ready for community to share, create connections, and spread joy. We also encourage uses of our spaces as a platform for supporting the visibility and economic opportunity of artists and the neighboring communities. We are excited to host – and see you host – events, workshops, and gatherings at our friendly and colorful new home on University Avenue.
We’re open! And you’re invited! The newly renovated Springboard for the Arts in Saint Paul is open, with a large Community Hall and Front Yard ready for community to share, create connections, and spread joy. We also encourage uses of our spaces as a platform for supporting the visibility and economic opportunity of artists and the neighboring communities. We are excited to host – and see you host – events, workshops, and gatherings at our friendly and colorful new home on University Avenue.
If you are an artist, artist group, arts organization, or community organization working with artists we have an open invitation for you to propose your activity, happening, or engagement at Springboard, and funding to help you make it happen.
We are inviting proposals for public events and interactive installations on the site through the rest of 2022.
Funding ranges from $500-$1000 to support your work, with TWO DEADLINES - June 15, 2022, for space this summer, and July 31, 2022, for space for the rest of the year.
FAQ
There are two types of support (apply for one only):
ACTIVITIES: activities and happenings that occur one or more times in the Community Hall and/or Front Yard that are open to the public. Springboard will provide access to the building and basic equipment needs (chairs, folding tables, P.A system and projector) for selected activities. Artist/Organizations selected will provide staffing for any needed equipment set-up/break-down, and event management.
Examples: youth drum corps practicing on Fridays followed by a public performance; film screening on the lawn; poetry slam; pop-up arts market; musicians at a community yard swap. Stipends are $500 for a one-time activity, or $1000 for multiple occurrences. Springboard will select 15-25 activities for 2022.
INTERACTIVE INSTALLATIONS: interactive installations in the Front Yard to engage passers-by and visitors anytime for at least a month. The Front Yard includes a plaza, lawn, fence, small walking loop, and light poles. Installations should withstand weather for the duration of the project, not require footings or other extensive permanent alterations to the site. Applicant may come update/refresh installation, but Springboard staff cannot provide upkeep. Springboard will consult on and must approve any installation plans. Selected artists are responsible for installation/de-installation and may update/refresh installation, but Springboard staff cannot provide upkeep.
Examples: laminated zines installed on our benches; postcards to color and mail; weekly question prompts and chalked responses; magnetic poetry; whirlygig obstacle course; dance steps on plaza; scavenger hunt. Stipends are $1000. Springboard will select 4-6 installations for 2022.
Eligibility
- Artists, artist groups, arts organizations, or community organizations working with artists.
- Priority for artists and organizations from or connected to Frogtown, Rondo, Summit-University neighborhoods.
Requirements
- Activities and installations must be available to the public and free of charge.
- Applicants may only apply to one opportunity.
Criteria
- Activity or interactive installation connects people with Springboard space and with one another.
- Applicant has ability to undertake proposed activity or installation or has a plan to engage others to complete work.
- Proposed activity or installation is appropriate to stipend amount.
- Activities and installations fit with the site, Springboard’s guiding principles, and overall capacity.
Process
- Springboard staff will select a complement of activities and installations.
Timeline
- June 15, 11:59pm - Deadline 1 for priority summer booking (July-Aug-Sept)
- Week of June 20 - artists notified, begin scheduling process
- July 31, 11:59pm - Deadline 2 for final booking (Oct-Nov-Dec)
- Aug 5 - artists notified, begin scheduling process
- December 31 - all activities and installations completed
Payment
- If selected, upon signing of contract, $500 will be issued to applicant. For $1000 stipends, the second half will be issued after completion of activities or installation.
Note: You may submit a video response to the questions instead of submitting the answers in writing. For written submissions, we recommend that you compose your answers in a separate document, and copy/paste them into the form.
ACTIVITIES questions
Project name (something catchy!):
What Springboard spaces would you like to use? (Community Hall and/or Front Yard)
Is this a one-time activity ($500 stipend) or multiple ($1000 stipend)
Promotional description - a short inviting blurb that we can use to promote your activity(ies), including any relevant social media, website, or calendar links (max 500 characters including spaces)
Activity description: what do you want to do, how many times it will occur, and who will participate (in the planning, producing, and/or audience) (max 2500 characters including spaces)
What will you use your stipend for (including paying artists)?
What are your preferred dates of use, from days of week to specific months? Tell us as much detail and flexibility you have.
Supporting materials (optional) You may include links or up to 3 images if that helps explain your activity.
INTERACTIVE INSTALLATIONS questions
Project name (something catchy!):
Where will the installation occur in the Front Yard? Be as specific as possible and also indicate any flexibility. For example: lawn, plaza, fence, light poles, around walking loop, etc.
Promotional description - a short inviting blurb that we can use to promote your installation (max 500 characters including spaces)
Installation description - what you want to do and how will it invite interaction? (max 2500 characters including spaces)
What will you use your stipend for (including paying artist)?
What is your preferred installation start date/range? Please also tell us how flexible you are (such as “anytime Sept-December”)
How long do you envision your installation being in place (minimum one month)?
Supporting materials (optional) You may include links or up to 3 images if that helps explain your activity. For example, images could be a sketch of your proposed installation or previous work of yours that illustrates what you do.
Video submission format
You may submit a video response to the questions instead of submitting the answers in writing. If you choose to do this, make sure you answer each question in order.
You can make the video on your cell phone, tablet, etc. We will be making decisions based on your answers, not the quality of the video.
Your video should be 2-5 minutes long.
Because of size restrictions, you will need to upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo and then share that with us. (You can find instructions for creating a YouTube channel here. You can create a Vimeo account here. Be sure to make the videos Public or Unlisted onYouTube.
Questions 1-5 (ACTIVITIES) and Questions 1-6 (INTERACTIVE INSTALLATIONS) are required fields. Type in "Video Submission" for each answer.
You will still need to fill out the other parts of the application- have the link to your video ready to share in the online form. Be sure to make the videos Public or Unlisted on YouTube.
Questions via email will be answered on a best effort basis: cassie@springboardforthearts.org
Cover photo: Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli performing for Saturdays at Springboard: How we Steward. Photo credit: Thaiphy Phan-Quang.
See the site in action!
Springboard for the Arts in Saint Paul. Photo credit: Morgan Scheff.
The front yard set up for performance during Springboard's opening celebrations. Photo credit: Destiny Roberts.
Gathering on the rooftop during Springboard's opening celebrations. Photo credit: Destiny Roberts.
Artist Kao Lee Thao presenting in the Community Hall. Photo credit: TJ Lor/JUAL Visuals
The International Indigenous Youth Council in the Community Hall for Saturdays at Springboard: How We Steward. Photo credit: Thaiphy Phan-Quang.
Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli performing for Saturdays at Springboard: How we Steward. Photo credit: Destiny Roberts.