Ready Go is a resource from Springboard for the Arts that connects neighborhoods, non-profits, businesses and individuals to artist-created, mobile tools that are purpose-built to pique curiosity and prompt interaction. Ready Go functions as a mechanism (think Equipment Rental or Etsy) that allows artists to offer proven, existing tools for hire.
Minnesota has many community-invested organizations, such as neighborhood organizations, non-profits and local businesses, that are seeking new and creative ways to interact with their communities, employees and customers.
Simultaneously, artists are working more and more on creating tools that bring people together in conversation and participation. These tools generally:
- Are mobile
- Are participatory
- Attract people
- Are purpose built to pique curiosity and prompt interaction
Through Ready Go, these artist tools are now available to rent! Browse the site now to bring an artist to your next event.
Apply by midnight CT on September 16, 2024.
Check out the Ready Go website to browse projects and hire an artist for your next event!
Call for Artists: Create New Mobile Artist Tools in West Central Minnesota! Due September 16, 2024
Springboard for the Arts is excited to invite artists to apply to create new Mobile Artist Tools to be added to the Ready Go roster, and to engage community members in West Central Minnesota.
For this opportunity, we are seeking three artists or artist teams in West Central Minnesota to create new Mobile Artist Tools designed to spark participation , conversation and interaction around topics including (but not limited to) environmental stewardship and sustainability. Artists in any medium (writing, music, printmaking, visual arts, sculpture, etc) are welcome to apply.
Three artists/artist teams will be selected and each will receive a project stipend of $6000 to create the mobile artist tools, participate in 4 cohort meetings, and demonstrate their projects at 4 community events. These activities will take place between November 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
- Round 1: Request for Qualifications, due Monday, September 16, 2024.
- Round 2: 5 - 8 Finalists selected from round 1 will receive a stipend of $300 to create a full proposal for their project, and present to a selection committee made up of local artists and community leaders.
- Before beginning, please read the full RFQ below or download a PDF overview.
- SlideRoom application portal- https://springboard.slideroom.com
Questions? Please contact Dominic Facio, Rural Program Manager: dominic@springboardforthearts.org
Watch the Information Session
FAQ
- - Request for Qualifications due September 16, 2024
- - Individuals or Artist teams are welcome to apply
- - Tools should incorporate programming that fosters conversation about environmental stewardship and sustainability
- - Finalists will be invited to create full proposals for their Ready Go Tool
- - Selected artists will participate in 4 cohort meetings for support from Springboard staff and peers as they develop and build their Ready Go Tool
- - Ready Go Tools must be completed by May 15, 2025 and ready to test at community events throughout May and June 205
- - Commission is $6,000 which includes fabrication, cohort meetings, and travel to four community events
- - After completion, commissioned projects will be added to Springboard’s Ready Go Roster for at least 18 months
Sustainability Goals for Initial Ready Go Programming:
Artists interested in applying should consider how their mobile tool can effectively engage the community and address the themes of environmental stewardship and sustainability. They should also think about the tool's potential for adaptability and future use beyond the initial commission.
Examples of environmental stewardship and sustainability topics include (but are not limited to) conversation about food traditions, gardening, agriculture, clothing mending, repurposing trash, habitat, invasive species, etc.
Tool adaptability
Tools can be designed to address the above environmental topics while also being adaptable for other future uses and communities. Alternatively, tools can be entirely dedicated to sustainability themes.
Both of the following examples would be appropriate approaches to this RFQ:
- A mobile tool that utilizes screen printing may develop an initial series of poster printing activities that highlight the importance of the prairie ecosystem in Minnesota. However, the artist could later create posters about other topics as they work with other community partners in the future.
- A mobile clothing mending tool, which would by its nature always be connected to sustainability.
The idea is that an artist may want to create a tool that can address environmental stewardship and sustainability AND have the potential to be adaptable for other uses as the artist continues to offer it for other communities. Or create a Mobile Tool that is entirely focused on sustainability.
Project Details and Parameters
- The three $6,000 commissions include all aspects involved in creating a mobile tool that will first be tested and demonstrated in partnership with Springboard for the Arts in May/June 2025, and then added to the Ready Go roster.
- Required aspects include: design, fabrication, programming development, tool testing (including supplies needed), and commitment to being on the Ready Go roster.
- Selected artists will participate in 4 cohort meetings to support planning and design, participate in peer feedback and to receive accessibility training.
- The new mobile art tool must be completed (fabricated and tested) by May 15, 2025 and be ready to demonstrate at 4 community events (which will be identified by Springboard) between May 15 and June 30, 2025. Those who cannot meet these deadlines are asked not to apply.
- Upon completion of this project, the artist/s retain ownership of the mobile tool they created. The tool will be added to Springboard for the Arts’ existing roster of tools at www.readygoart.com, and the artist will be available for hire. Commissioned artists must commit to having their mobile tool available for hire on the Ready Go site for at least 18 months.
- At least one lead artist must have residence in West Central Minnesota (Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Mahnomen, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin Counties).
Additional info
- The work and events Mobile Artist Tools do require an interest in people and working with all sorts of folks- please make sure this is something you are excited about!
- Many of the most successful Ready Go tools provide opportunities for making- artists guiding an open process together with participants.
- We want mobile tools to encourage participants to be involved at whatever level is most comfortable for them. Sometimes that's actively making art, sometimes it's observing the process, or just talking with the artist about the project.
- We are especially interested in supporting projects led or created by artists or artist teams who identify as BIPOC, Native, LGBTQIA+, and/or artists with disabilities.
Note on artist teams: By artist team we mean up to 3 artists working together on the artistic aspects of the commission. If you are planning to hire or include a technical consultant or fabricator, they would not be considered part of the artist team. Teams will pick one lead artist to create a SlideRoom account and submit their team application.
- - RFQ opens: August 8, 2024
- - Info session: Friday, August 23, 12 - 1pm CST. Register.
- - Responses to RFQ due: September 16, 2024
- - Finalists notification (invitation to create full proposals): September 25, 2024
- - Full Proposals due from finalists: October 16, 2024
- - Finalist presentations: October 24, 2024
- - Selected Artists notified: October 31, 2024
- - Cohort Meetings for peer feedback, accessibility training, and general support: November 2024, January 2025, March 2025 and May 2025
- - Mobile tool fabrication: January - May 2025
- - Projects completed: No later than May 15, 2025
- - Demonstrations at 4 Community Events: May 15 - June 30, 2025
- - Individual artists or artist teams are welcome to apply
- - Lead Artist(s) must be based in West Central Minnesota (Becker, Otter Tail, Wilkin, Douglas, Stearns, Traverse, Stevens or Grant County)
- - Artists should be willing and able to travel throughout this region if they are selected for their commission.
- - Artist(s) should incorporate initial programming into their Ready Go proposal that fosters conversation about environmental stewardship and sustainability.
- - Artists/teams are not required to have previous mobile art experience, but will need to demonstrate ability to complete a large project.
Responses to RFQ and full proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- - Quality of artist’s past work as demonstrated in the submitted materials.
- - Feasibility/technical considerations.
- - Evidence of passion for working and creating art that fosters interaction, conversation, learning, and curiosity.
- - Indication that the artist/artist team has expertise (art related or other) to undertake this project or can demonstrate a plan for accessing outside expertise to successfully complete the project.
From submitted responses to the RFQ, Springboard will select 5-8 finalists. Finalists will receive a stipend of $300 to create a full proposal to be presented to a panel of artists and community leaders. Three artists/artist teams will be selected to create the Mobile Artist Tools.
Application Submission Process
- - Read RFQ for background, eligibility and application process.
- - Complete and compile items A-D listed below (narrative, work samples etc.) to prepare for submitting to SlideRoom.
- - Submit application items to Slideroom. We will contact you if we have issues or questions with your application.
Application Assistance
Springboard is committed to improving access to our programs and services for all persons. Applicants who need technical assistance with completing the form, or uploading or formatting files, can schedule a half-hour phone call or video conferencing session by emailing: andy@springboardforthearts.org.
For questions and assistance related to eligibility, preparing a submission and/or feedback, please contact Springboard’s Rural Program Manager: dominic@springboardforthearts.org
About the Application Questions
- - We will ask you to enter in your contact information: name, email, phone, address—you will enter this when you create a SlideRoom account. (Teams- pick one lead artist to create an account)
- - Slideroom will prompt you to list above info for additional artist team members if applicable. Note: other artist team members must also meet eligibility requirements. Technical experts are not considered artist team members.
- - Instead of written responses, we also welcome video submissions to the Narrative questions.
- - We will be making decisions based on your answers, not the quality of the video.
- - See time limits for each question.
- - Record videos using a laptop, tablet, phone or camera and upload them to YouTube or Vimeo. (Here you can find instructions for Youtube https://support.google.com/youtube and Vimeo https://vimeo.com/join. Be sure to make the videos Public or Unlisted on YouTube.)
The application includes the following:
- Narrative (250 - 500 words or video submission, 1-2 min max): Describe your medium(s), and approach to art making. Talk about how that would relate to an approach for this opportunity.
- Note: Do not propose a project idea at this time, but simply discuss general ideas on how you would think about this.
- Why this opportunity? (250 - 500 words or video submission, 1-2 min max): Tell us why you are interested in this opportunity and commission. Mobile Artist Tools require a passion for working with all sorts of people. Please address your interest and experience in this. Add any other info you feel is relevant for the panel to know.
- Resume: Maximum 2 pages—please upload in PDF format for each team member if applicable.
- Work Samples: You will add these in SlideRoom along with title and image description text. Individual artist applicants can upload up to 8 work samples. More than 8 will not be shown to jurors. Teams of 2 artists can upload up to 10 work samples. Teams of 3 artists can upload up to 12 work samples.
- Visual work: Submit .jpeg images under 5 MB. You can upload images with any dimensions, as SlideRoom resizes images larger than 1280 x 1280 x 72 ppi.
- Text work: Submit in .pdf format. 1 page = 1 work sample (ex: 4 page file = 4 work samples).
- Audio/Video work: Provide full URL links (i.e. YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud). 1 minute = 1 work sample (ex: 4 minute video = 4 work samples).
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural fund.
