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The ASIAN ARTS INITIATIVE issues a CALL FOR PROPOSALS for our 2008-2009 GUEST PRODUCERS PROGRAM

The ASIAN ARTS INITIATIVE issues a CALL FOR PROPOSALS for our
2008-2009 GUEST PRODUCERS PROGRAM

Application Deadline: THURSDAY, JULY 31st, 2008

The Asian Arts Initiative, a community-based arts center in Philadelphia, is pleased to pilot a new program to provide performance and community building opportunities for Asian American artists exploring community issues and concerns.

The GUEST PRODUCER PROGRAM is a partnership with the Asian Arts Initiative and a ‘guest producer’ to create single or multiple community-based events or perform a new, developing, or completed show. The Program is designed to provide artists and community builders with increased access to the Initiative’s resources including physical rehearsal space, performance space, and support in publicity, outreach, and marketing.

The Guest Producer Program is also intended to expose and, in turn, inspire our constituency of community members including youth, artists, staff, and members to a diversity of creative processes and performance. On a broader level, the Asian Arts Initiative is also committed to supporting artists and community builders whose work sparks community dialogue and action around social issues and concerns. The program will allow for flexibility and responsiveness in the Initiative’s programming and will also ideally maximize the utilization of the Initiative’s new space. *

The Asian Arts Initiative seeks individuals or community groups to participate in Guest Producer Program during our 2008-2009 program season. We encourage applicants of all ages and disciplines – including but not limited to dance, music, spoken word, and theater. We also encourage multi-disciplinary work, collaborations, and community-based events.

The Asian Arts Initiative is committed to supporting artists and community members. Please do not hesitate to contact us as you work on you application. Contact Sabina Neem, Program Manager by phone or email at with your questions.

• The Asian Arts Initiative’s performance space can seat approximately 100 people in a black-box style performance space with sprung floors approximately 18’ x 45’ and a lighting grid at 15’8” above the floor. Additional specs are available at http://www.asianartsinitiative.org or upon request.

• The Guest Producer Program is open to individuals and organizations regardless of where they reside. However, the program was designed with local communities in mind, and does not offer housing or travel support.

GUEST PRODUCERS WILL BE SUPPORTED WITH:

• Opportunity to perform in a community-based arts center
  
• Orientation with the Initiative staff to discuss event ideas, receive feedback, brainstorm on outreach and marketing strategies, and finalize timeline
  
• Approximately 10 hours of studio/rehearsal space at the Asian Arts Initiative
  
• A technical director (if needed) for 10 hours, including the tech rehearsal and day(s) of the performance/ event
  
• 50% of box office proceeds
  
• PR including access to our members and mailing lists, e-blasts to our list serve (over 1,000 constituents), event posting on our website, limited design assistance (if needed) for promotional materials
  

GUEST PRODUCERS WILL BE EXPECTED TO:

• Coordinate an event/performance event for a one to two-day run, depending on the nature of the event
  
• Fundraise for an event, collect donations, and write grants as necessary
  
• Provide PR images, text, and materials design (with review and approval from the Initiative)
  
• Provide PR for the event/performance including drafting text for marketing materials, event promotion through personal and professional networks, canvassing, and mailings
  
• Sell tickets to GPP event/ performance
  
• Payment for any additional hours of rehearsal and technical director time (above those provided by the Initiative)
  

SELECTION PROCESS
The Asian Arts Initiative will follow our tradition of convening a Project Team of staff, volunteers, and program constituents to help us evaluate applications. As a group, we will consider:

• Your capacity to complete the event/performance with a high level of community-mindedness and artistic integrity depending on the nature of the proposed event.
  
• Your and/or your event’s commitment to engaging the Philadelphia community
  
• Your and/or your event’s relationship to the Asian American community
  
• Your and/or your event’s relationship to social justice vision or issues
  
• Your and/or your event’s capacity to promote the event and bring in audience/ community members for the event
  

We anticipate selecting and notifying artists about the 2008-2009 program season by August 15th, 2008. Depending upon the applicant pool, the Initiative may choose to extend the application period and/or defer decisions until a later time.

TO APPLY, please send us the following information. Please contain application to approximately 4 pages (not including bio, resume, and work sample):

1) CONTACT INFORMATION: name, address, phone, and email.

2) A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED EVENT/ PERFORMANCE:
a) What is the event that you are proposing? What is the nature of the event? Is this an already existing event/performance that you want to develop, or something new that you propose to create? If it is an already existing work/event, describe what shape it is in now. What do you expect it to be by the end of the Guest Producer period? How long will the event be?

b) What are the issues and /or themes that your work primarily addresses? What are the messages or questions you want your project to communicate? How/does this project encourage explorations and critical thinking about social justice issues?

c) What audiences are you hoping to reach with this work? How/is this project relevant to the Asian American community? How/does this project engage the Philadelphia community?

d) What is your target audience/ attendance size? Please share your ideas and experience doing outreach/ advertising to your target community/audience.

e) Please share your projected ticket pricing scale. The Asian Arts Initiative is committed to making our community space and events accessible. Our ticket prices range from $8-20.

f) Are there any community groups or affiliations that will help with the event? In what capacity (i.e. outreach, co-sponsorship, funding)?

g) How many days or nights of performance do you project? Please let us know if you have any scheduling preferences or restrictions. (Keep in mind that the Initiative currently has dates available between November 2008 and May 2009).

3) AN ARTIST/ ORGANIZATION STATEMENT describing what motivates your current work, any artistic and political influences, and how your background impacts your vision.

4) A BIO OR RESUME for any artists involved in the project. (If specific artists have not been identified, please write N/A.)

5) A WORK SAMPLE/ PR MATERIALS: Good-quality audio or video samples, written work, or other materials that will help us clearly understand your organization, your artistic and/or social vision and your ability to carry out the proposed event. Please label each sample clearly with an explanation of what it is.

[If you are providing audio/ video samples please indicate 5 minutes you that would like the review panel to focus on. If you are providing images, please select a maximum of 10 for the panel to focus on. If you are providing a written sample, please indicate 5 pages that you would like the panel to focus on.]

Please send all materials to arrive by THURSDAY, JULY 31st, 2008:

Guest Producer Program
Asian Arts Initiative
1219-1223 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 557-0455

We would like to support you in your application process. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Contact Sabina Neem, Program Manager by phone or email at .

Contact:
Sabina Neem
Asian Arts Initiative
1219-1223 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

(215) 557-0455