Call for Proposals – Window Installations

[Creative Arts Workshop]

Amidst a global health and economic crisis, attention to racial inequity and injustice, and growing divisions in a pivotal election year, CAW seeks to explore issues of our time and of our city and region through our fall exhibition program.

Even as our own building is closed, our most public stage — our street-to-roof curtain wall — looking into our two-floor gallery space is wide open. We are excited at the opportunity to invite proposals for work by New Haven and CT-based artists to exhibit at CAW.

Proposals are now being accepted for site-specific window installations at 80 Audubon Street that explore issues that our community is grappling with. Proposed artworks or installations can be 2D or 3D, but must be designed to be viewed streetside through the windows of the CAW gallery. A reopening plan for CAW is still in formation; however, it is anticipated that no gallery visitors will be entering the building and gallery space to see work during the fall. Applications and concept ideas must take this into account.

Proposals may be submitted by individual artists or collaborative artist groups or teams. CAW’s intention is to better use its gallery and window space, particularly in this triple crisis we are experiencing as a community and nation. We hope to see proposals that advance the most creative use of the space and opportunity within the context presented. We strongly encourage applications from artists of diverse backgrounds, experience, and training. Preference will be given to artists whose work affirms the importance of black and brown lives, lived experiences, influence, and culture in our community and nation.

Successful proposals will both explain the concept for the installation, and give consideration to the technical elements of the installation, including being mindful of social distancing requirements during installation and de-installation. Ladders are available at CAW, but no scissor-lifts.

Proposals should include an idea for an accompanying online program to complement the installation. This part of the proposal can be modest in scale and scope, but seen as a way of engaging with the community. For some it may look like an ‘on air’ demonstration, artist studio visit, or visit to the windows to give a tour of the work, for others it may be a proposed 1:1 conversation with another artist, a CAW board member, teacher, staffer, and for others, it might include community organizing. Ideas need not be limited to this list.

Stipend: Each selected artist or artist team will receive a $750 stipend to cover materials, creation of the work, and facilitation of an online program.

In addition to the stipend, CAW staff will assist artists with the marketing, installation, and development and execution of relevant online programming.

Exhibition Dates: Up to three (3) proposals will be selected. Each window installation will be installed for up to four (4) weeks, slated as follows:

Window Exhibition 1: September 28 – October 25
Window Exhibition 2: November 2 – November 29
Window Exhibition 3: December 7 -December 20

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 5 pm

Artist Notification: Monday, August 31, 2020

To Apply: Interested artists should submit their proposal along with 3 samples of work and contact information to [e-mail]. Please use “2020 Window Installation” in your subject line.

Window Dimensions: There are five identical window bays, each with three vertically-stacked panes. Each bay is 82” wide and just over 19½’ tall. For dimensions of the panes, see our online specs.

This exhibition program is made possible with the generous support of the Neighborhood Cultural Vitality grant program of the City of New Haven.