The visual arts is one of the most dynamic ways for different cultures to connect with one another. I am a firm believer that when artwork is accessible in a public context, particularly instead of inside a museum or gallery, the actual experience can be even more profound and expansive.
Promoting cultural relations via the visual arts is an increasingly important tool for nations to utilize. However, while traditional art spaces do fulfill an important role in society, the basic reality is that too often the viewers inside these venues are quite predictable - in other words, the artwork tends to preach to the converted. Many cultural diplomacy endeavors within governments, particularly when using the visual arts, present art in the safety of the traditional museum or mega-gallery. While the reasons for doing so are understandable, it's much more exciting to hear about programs that accept a bit more out-of-the-box type of approach.
This is what makes smARTpower quite an exciting project. An initiative of the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by The Bronx Museum of the Arts, smARTpower seeks to collaborate with citizens around the world to create community-based public art projects that promote cultural and social discourse across borders.
smARTpower will send fifteen emerging to mid-career U.S. artists to develop programs in cooperation with local arts organizations in China, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, India, Kosovo, Lebanon, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Venezuela. Because smARTpower's objective is to create international dialogue and communication on a wide range of subjects from women's rights to the environment, submissions of works that are participatory in nature are highly encouraged.
To apply, submit your proposal (online only) by midnight, February 28, 2011. Proposals should be based upon documentable and tangible platforms, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, drawing, video, installation, photo-based work, public art, and interdisciplinary projects.
Each recipient will be provided with an honorarium of up to $11,000.00, travel funding, a budget for materials of up to $10,000.00, resources for documentation (including photography, video, and web posting), and on-site logistical support. The selected artists will be announced in Spring/Summer 2011, and the first round of projects will begin in Summer/Fall 2011.
smARTpower is potentially one of the most exciting cultural relations projects to emerge from the State Department, with a dynamic plan of engagement that encompasses the localities of our global neighbors and their own distinct cultures. Please share this call for applications, and expect more news as this initiative has only just started!
More information can be found here.
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