$10,000 in cash awards is up for grabs as public votes this fall
Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) is seeking applicants for public art submissions for its first-ever Akron Art Prize competition sponsored by The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation. Artist applications and complete details are available at www.downtownakron.com/artprize through July 6.
Submissions will be on display between Sept. 1 and Oct. 6, during which time the public will vote to determine the winners of a $5,000 grand prize and five $1,000 runner-up awards.
The submitted works of art will be matched with venues throughout the Downtown Akron Artwalk footprint that will be open to the public for viewing and voting. Venues are currently being evaluated and it is anticipated that hundreds of entries will be accepted to be shown. Submissions will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The competition is open to both solo and collaborative artists, two or three dimensional pieces, and time-based or performance oriented entries. Each artist must pay a $10 entry fee and sign an agreement to participate. Artists must be at least 18 years of age to participate.
"This is a great opportunity for little known or well known artists to get their work in front of a new audience," said Suzie Graham, president of Downtown Akron Partnership. "The fun and interactive nature of the public vote to determine the winners is a fresh, people-oriented approach to evaluating what's appealing in the arts."
The public will vote for the Akron Art Prize winners using SMS (text to vote) technology. Guests ages 16 and over with a valid driver license may register to vote with their cell phones or pre-register in the weeks before the events at www.downtownakron.com/artworks.
Voting will take place during a limited time frame and registration will only be allowed within downtown Akron, encouraging guests to attend and experience each event. The first round of voting will take place between Sept. 1 and Sept. 22. Up to 10 works receiving the highest number of public votes will be featured in the second and final round of voting between Sept. 28 and Oct. 6. Akron Art Prize winners will be announced at the conclusion of the Oct. 6 Artwalk.
Art Prize is modeled after similar public art competitions that have emerged throughout the country and is intended to encourage conversations and excitement about art and the revitalization of the Downtown core. "The MCMF is delighted to partner with DAP to bring the Akron Art Prize to life in 2012. The potential economic and social impact this type of event can have on a city has been proven throughout the country in places like Grand Rapids, Mich., and Seattle. We are grateful for the hard work and fellow partners, and are looking forward to a great event," said Rick Kellar, president of the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation.
Downtown Art Works continues into 2013
The Akron Art Prize competition is an event of DAP's new Downtown Art Works series. The series enhances the Downtown Akron Artwalk through added promotion, performances, activities and text-to-vote public competitions. Downtown Art Works performances are provided through a generous grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
In combination with DAP's First Night® Akron event on New Year's Eve, this annual cycle of events invites guests of all ages to celebrate arts and culture and enjoy downtown Akron throughout the year. The 17th annual First Night Akron celebration Dec. 31 will kick off another vibrant year of the arts in downtown Akron. Admission buttons will be available for $10 beginning Nov. 23 and children under 10 may attend free of charge with a button-wearing adult. The Discover Downtown Akron Passport will also be available for $15. Admission to 15 events is included in the price of the Passport and will begin with entry to First Night Akron. The Downtown Art Works series will continue in March 2013 with an Artigras themed event that is being developed.
Downtown Art Works is a program of Downtown Akron Partnership and is generously supported by the City of Akron, County of Summit, GAR Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation.
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