Press Release
BACKGROUND
On May 10, 2019, the State of Utah and the Department of Heritage & Arts will commemorate the 150th anniversary marking the completion of the nation’s First Transcontinental Railroad. The joining of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads occurred at Promontory Summit, UT in 1869. As part of a host of Spike 150 activities aimed to inspire, educate, and reflect on this legacy, the Utah Division of Arts & Museums (UA&M), Rio Gallery (located in Salt Lake City), will be facilitating an exhibition March 22-June 14, 2019 on this topic. Funding is provided by the State of Utah, the Department of Heritage & Arts, the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, and the Spike 150 Commission.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This exhibition will include both invited artists and artists accepted via an open call process. This project will also include a side-by-side curatorial mentorship with one invited mentee from the community who will help facilitate the exhibition, conduct research, invite artists, and see the exhibition through to completion. Additionally, a catalog on the exhibition will be published.
Artists both curated, and selected from the open call, will be paid $500 per artist for participation.
Artists may propose existing work that relates to the topic, or propose the creation of new work.
Funding has been set aside for the acquisition of a limited number of works of art from this exhibition into the State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Art Collection. Selections will be made by the UA&M Art Acquisitions Committee and will be contingent upon approval by the Utah Arts Council Board of Directors.
The history of the First Transcontinental Railroad and its legacy in Utah provides ample topics for exploration and representation. Topics and subjects related to this event may include, but are not limited to: transportation, industry, technology, infrastructure, innovation, immigrant and labor issues, impact on Indigenous peoples, environmental issues, globalization, historical figures & stories, related geographic locales, Transcontinental Railroad routes, westward expansion, social and economic impacts, etc. We welcome any and all aesthetic explorations that relate to the topic.
This project is subject to legislative appropriation therefore, in the absence thereof, this Call for Exhibition would be discontinued.
ELIGIBILITY
We are seeking the work of a diverse group of visual artists to include, but not limited to: those in rural communities outside the Wasatch Front, first-time participants in our programs, emerging and established artists, and artists working in all genres and styles. Additionally, the Utah Division of Arts & Museums promotes equity and inclusion that involves all people, including those who have been historically underrepresented.
Utah artists age 18 and over are eligible. We also welcome the work of collaborative groups (please note collaborative groups will be paid one stipend). All visual arts media including new genres are accepted. All work must be original. A maximum of two works per artist(s) will be juried in.
SUBMISSIONS
Applicants will be required to apply at https://utahartsmuseums.submittable.com Please call our office if you are unable to submit online for any reason.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL SUBMISSIONS:
Artist’s Statement and Resume/CV
Statement of Interest/Description of Works: Artists will be asked to describe their reasons for interest in this project as well as describe any potential topics or subject matter that they intend to base work on. Artists with existing works will be asked for an artist’s statement on their work (max. 250 words each).
Images: Image pixel dimensions of at least 1000 or larger in either height or width preferred. Artists working in new genres or video/digital works may upload videos not to exceed 2 minute in length. Please call our office if you have questions about submission size. Medium, dimensions, and dates will be required in the submission form.
EXISTING WORK:
Artists may submit up to 2 existing works relating to the topic. (Please limit to 2 images per work, not to exceed 4 images).
PROPOSALS FOR THE CREATION OF NEW WORK:
Please include 5 images of artworks that are representative of your artistic practice. (Please limit to 2 images per work, not to exceed 10 images).
GALLERY
The Rio Gallery is located in the historic Rio Grande Train Depot. We have appx. 3,300 sq. ft. containing up to 22, 8’h x 12’w walls. Multiple pedestals (varying sizes) for 3D works are available. The gallery has a limited variety of audio, video, projection equipment for digital works available for use. An in-house preparator is available, but assistance on installations may be required. Please call with questions on feasibility of installations.
PROJECT TIMELINE AND PROCESS
Exhibition Dates: March 22-June 14, 2019
Applications open: May 18-July 2, 2018
Artists notified of results: July 16, 2018
Drop-off works at the Rio Gallery: March 1, 2019
Pick-up works at the Rio Gallery: May 13, 2019
Artists Reception/Public Opening: April 19, 2019, 6-9pm
All selected artists will be included in in-person or remote meetings with curators to review project ideas, contracts, and logistics. Studio visits will be scheduled where feasible. Supplemental stipends may be available for the transportation of works outside a 75 mile radius of Salt Lake City.
The Rio & Alice Galleries were created as a service to Utah artists and the community at large. They provide a free venue for emerging and established artists to collaborate on exhibitions, participate in the process of producing an exhibit, and engage the community through art making and dialogue.
300 S. Rio Grande St. 84101 visualarts.utah.gov 801-245-7272