Alloy Pittsburgh is a unique visual and performing arts project co-founded by Pittsburgh artists Sean Derry and Chris McGinnis. The project was developed in collaboration with the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area and the Kipp Gallery at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Alloy Pittsburgh offers 15 artists from the greater Pittsburgh region the opportunity to develop temporary site-based artworks for the Carrie Furnace National Historic Landmark.

Call for Proposals 2015


CALL FOR PROPOSALS IS CLOSED

ALLOY PITTSBURGH PROJECT 2015
Location: Carrie Furnaces National Historic Landmark site, Swissvale, Pennsylvania
Request for Artist Proposals
Entry Deadline: February 22nd 2015

ABOUT:

Alloy Pittsburgh is a unique visual and performing arts initiative developed for the Carrie Furnaces National Historic Landmark and administered by Kipp Gallery at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. The project is designed to offer regional artists a career-­‐building exhibition experience. The project will bring up to 15 visual and performing artists to the Carrie Furnaces site in Rankin/Swissvale, PA, and provide them with funding, publicity and support to develop temporary site-­‐based artworks. The completed artworks will be simultaneously presented in a one of a kind art event to be held at the site in the fall of 2015.

Although the Carrie Furnaces were last fired decades ago, the site retains a compelling metaphoric energy. Many artists have demonstrated their capacity to utilize this residual heat as a catalyst for the creative transformation of the site. Alloy Pittsburgh was conceived as an ongoing arts initiative designed specifically to invest in the future of Pittsburgh’s post-­‐industrial environment.

Alloy Pittsburgh seeks to examine the history, current condition and possible future of the Carrie Furnaces without permanently transforming the characteristics of the site. We see the public presentation of this research as an important catalyst to the audience’s ability to engage with Pittsburgh’s built environment.

ELIGIBILITY:

Alloy Pittsburgh is open to regional Pittsburgh artists and collaborative groups. Artists must live in one of the following southwestern Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Indiana, Butler, Westmoreland, Armstrong, Beaver, Lawrence, Washington, Fayette and Greene. Projects eligible for Alloy Pittsburgh may vary from traditional to non-­‐traditional artistic mediums, including but not limited to new media, performance, sculpture, drawing, painting, photography and video. All works must be conceived specifically for the Carrie Furnaces site.

Selected artists must attend BOTH on-­‐site research labs

MAY 29 -- 30, 9:00am -­‐ 6:00pm both days

JULY 24 -­‐ 25, 9:00am – 6:00pm both days


TIMELINE:

Interested artists are encouraged to apply before the February 22nd deadline. Selected artists will be notified by March 23rd, 2015. May 29 -- 30 and July 24-­‐25 all artists will join Alloy Pittsburgh directors on-­‐site for a mandatory research lab. During this time artists will be provided with onsite access and time to explore the logistics of integrating their work into the Carrie Furnaces site. Lectures, presentations and discussions by advisory board members and additional arts professionals will play an important role in supporting the artist’s research activities. Additional programming during the residency period will assist the artist in establishing reciprocal relationships with the communities of Braddock, Homestead, Swissvale and Rankin.

Following the research labs, artists will return to their studios and complete work on their individual projects. In mid-­‐September of 2015 the directors will oversee installation of the projects at the Carrie Furnaces site. On Saturday, September 29th 2015 Alloy Pittsburgh will open to the public with a reception held onsite at the Carrie Furnaces from 1-­‐5pm. Please note, this reception will be a ticketed event with proceeds benefiting Rivers of Steel and Alloy Pittsburgh. The artwork will remain on display for 3 weeks with additional events occurring throughout this time period. Each artist will be asked to give a brief discussion of their installations during one of the scheduled tours in October. Upon the conclusion of the project the site will be returned to its present condition.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Application deadline – February 22nd, 2015
Selected artist notification – March 30th, 2015
Mandatory on-­‐site research lab – May 29 -- 30, 2015
Mandatory on-­‐site research lab – July 24 – 25, 2015
Installation of artworks at the Carrie Furnaces – September 13 – 20, 2015 Alloy Pittsburgh Opening Reception – Saturday, September 26th, 2015 Possible artist talk dates – October 2, 10, 17, 24, 2015
De-­‐installation period – November 6 – 8, 2015.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

A jury of arts professionals and project advisors will review all proposals and select artists for participation. Selected artists will each receive a $500.00 materials stipend for the creation of their project as well as individual artist honorariums of $100.00. Although site specificity is key, artists must be flexible in their site preference, as availability is dependent upon a number of feasibility issues that must be determined by the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation.

All artists must be available to install their artworks during the week of September 13 – 20, 2015. Artists are likewise required to be present for de-­‐installation of the artwork during the week of November 6 – 8, 2015. All artists will receive recognition in the Alloy Pittsburgh brochure and website. Any costs above funds allocated for materials stipends and artist honorariums will be the responsibility of the artist. (This includes transportation and living expenses for the duration of the project. Alloy Pittsburgh does not cover these costs)

SUBMISSION MATERIALS:

Interested artists should submit a project proposal including the following materials compiled into one PDF packet no larger than 10mgb. These PDF packets should be emailed to alloypittsburgh@gmail.com by the deadline stated above. Please write “Alloy 2015 proposal” in the subject line of your email.
  • Preliminary project proposal (no more than 2 pages) 
  • 10 images of previous work or url links for video submissions 
  • Current CV 
  • Artist Statement 

All proposals should clearly demonstrate a non-­‐permanent impact on the Carrie Furnace site. Questions can be directed to alloypittsburgh@gmail.com. Applicants SHOULD NOT contact Rivers of Steel Personnel with questions. There are currently no tours being offered at the site but additional information on the Carrie Furnaces National Historic Landmark can be found at both http://www.riversofsteel.com/ and http://alloypittsburgh.blogspot.com/

PROJECT TEAM:

Sean Derry, Co-­‐founder and Sculpture Area Head at IUP
Chris McGinnis, Co-­‐founder and Director of Kipp Gallery at IUP
Ron Baraff, Director of Museum Collections & Archives at Rivers of Steel

Alloy Pittsburgh was co-­‐founded by Pittsburgh artists and Indiana University of Pennsylvania faculty members, Sean Derry and Chris McGinnis. The project was developed in collaboration with the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation and Kipp Gallery at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The project is financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. Additional support is provided by the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

2 comments:

  1. Are singer/songwriters being considered for this event?

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    Replies
    1. We are accepting proposals by artists working in any form of visual or performing arts and welcome your proposal.
      best,
      Alloy PGH Team

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