Call for Entry

PROJECT: Commissions

Entry Deadline: Thursday, January 5, 2011 -- Extended--

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The Call for PROJECT: Commissions Proposals is an open submission process for Oakland-based artists to present a description for new work commissioned for the PROJECT installation space. Three proposals will be selected for exhibition. Entry is free for current Pro Arts members and $15 for non-members.

The 2011 PROJECT: Commissions is a commissioning program supporting the creation of new works to be exhibited at Pro Arts and then off-site at Youth Uprising in East Oakland. Youth Uprising and Pro Arts are working together to support community development through youth leadership and the arts. Pro Arts makes a commitment to exhibiting new, risk-taking work, and important works by artists representing under-served populations and communities of color. The collaboration aims to expand audiences for critical art discourse in Oakland.

Online submissions only.

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PROJECT: Commissions Guidelines

Proposals are evaluated on feasibility, relevance, artistic excellence, extent that the project is new or takes risks, and artistic merit. Submitted proposals are reviewed by Pro Arts' Independent Curatorial Review Panel. This panel is composed of members of Pro Arts' Curatorial Advisory Committee, and guest panelists drawn from artists and curators in the Bay Area, and past collaborators.

• Dates of Exhibition: Varies
• Notification by Saturday, January 14, 2012
• Exhibition narratives are limited to 500 words maximum- must include concept and description of new work, significance and relevance to Pro Arts and Oakland, CA
• Up to eight images supporting your proposal.
• Submissions must include artist's cv including urls (links) to past exhibition documentation.
• Entry is FREE for Pro Arts members. $15 for non-members.

Pro Arts does not have nor provide materials for artists (monitors, video equipment, etc.). Selected artists are responsible for all alterations made to the gallery (painting the walls, returning space to previous condition, etc.). Please note that the gallery does NOT reimburse for shipping and installation costs. A modest honorarium is awarded to the selected proposal.

2012 Collaboration with Youth Uprising

Youth UpRising (YU) is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the community by developing the leadership of young people between the ages of 13-24 and improving systems that impact their lives. Located in the East Oakland community, YU operates a 25,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility in which it provides its members developmental opportunities in four core areas: career and education, art and expression, health and wellness, and social enterprises. YU's system change work focuses in five policy areas: health, education, public safety, housing, and economic development. YU's integrated approach is designed to nurture youth's personal transformation while facilitating their efforts to improve their communities.

YU grew out of the needs articulated by Oakland youth after racial tension at Castlemont High School erupted into violence in 1997. Young people identified inadequate educational resources, insufficient employment opportunities, limited health resources, the lack of community and personal safety, and a severe shortage of positive "things to do" as root causes of the problems facing youth. With unprecedented support from public systems (led by Alameda County), and in partnership with youth and community stakeholders, YU's non-profit, state-of-the-art facility was born.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Q: Can I send more than one proposal?
A: No, Pro Arts will accept one proposal per artist- no exception.
Q: Who can submit an exhibition proposal?
A: Participation is open to Oakland-based artists.
Q: Can I submit previously exhibited work?
A: Yes and no- proposals must include the creation of new work for the exhibition, however, recent work may be included in the final installation.
Major funding provided by the California Arts Council, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
For more information, please contact amy@proartsgallery.org or 510.763.4361

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