FRANCONIA SCULPTURE PARK (FSP) is now accepting sculpture / installation proposals for the year 2009. Located on 20 acres in the scenic St. Croix River Valley, 45 miles northeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, FSP supports emerging sculptors and upholds the work of career sculptors. In FSP’s first 12 years it has supported the careers of more than 460 emerging and established, regional, national and international artists. Currently there are over 70 sculptures/installations at FSP.

Franconia Sculpture Park is a professional artists’ organization dedicated to fostering an inspiring environment for artists to expand their skills and promote the public education of three-dimensional art. There are three opportunities for 2009.

1. Opportunity: 2009 FSP/Jerome Fellowships

Franconia Sculpture Park has created the opportunity for artists to create new work in residency. Sculpture, site-specific, multi-media, and installation are considered. Artists may be in residence at FSP from 3 weeks to 3 months, whatever it takes to pull off an ambitious new project. 5 artists or artist teams will be invited to come and create new work in a public outdoor setting. Opportunities for financial assistance include funded FSP/Jerome fellowships ranging from $3,000 to $5,000.

2. Opportunity: Earthwork Amphitheater

Franconia Sculpture Park is seeking an emerging artist or artist team to design an engaging and inviting amphitheater. Franconia seeks an emerging sculptor who does earth work and/or land art. This emerging artist or artist team will be in residence at Franconia Sculpture Park to design, oversee, and build a site-specific amphitheater. The possible locations within the sculpture park for site-specific proposals are noted as H on the Site Map. Emerging artist needs to consider seasonal changes, natural lighting, shade, and ability of design to withstand year-round outdoor exposure. The resulting custom-designed amphitheater earth/land work design will include a stage and seating for at least 150 people. Franconia Sculpture Park will provide up to $5,000 artist honorarium plus up to $9,000 (in cash or in kind donation) worth of construction/volunteer support (including earth moving, crane, trees, and staff assistance). This is an emerging artist opportunity; artists should be able to demonstrate an ability to complete a site-integrated project. This is not for landscape architects. Amphitheater and gathering place can be combined. Please note: due to high water table, excavation cannot exceed 3' depth.

3. Opportunity: Earthwork Gathering Place  

Franconia Sculpture Park is seeking an emerging artist or artist team to design an engaging and inviting gathering place. Franconia seeks an emerging artist who does earth work and/or land art. This emerging artist or artist team will be in residence at Franconia Sculpture Park to design, oversee, and build a site-specific meeting place. The possible locations within the sculpture park for site-specific proposals are noted as C on Site Map. Emerging artist needs to consider seasonal changes, natural lighting, shade, and ability of design to withstand year-round outdoor exposure. The meeting place will include enough room for more than 30 people with seating and shade. Franconia Sculpture Park will provide up to $3,000 artist honorarium plus up to $7,000 (in cash or in kind donation) worth of construction/volunteer support (including earth moving, crane, trees, and staff assistance). This is an emerging artist opportunity; artists should be able to demonstrate an ability to complete a site-integrated project. Amphitheater and gathering place can be combined. Please note: due to high water table, excavation cannot exceed 3' depth.

Eligibility Requirements for 2009 FSP/Jerome Fellowships, Earthwork Amphitheater and Gathering Place

Please review carefully. Applicants who do not meet the following criteria will not be considered:

• You are an active and practicing artist, evident in your resume or CV.
• FSP can only accept fellowship applications from residents of the U.S.A. and/or applicants who have a valid work visa. Grant money awarded is reported for tax purposes.
• Your work falls within the area of sculpture, installation, and/or 3-D multi-media
• Emerging earth artist or landscape artist, not architect or landscape architect. (for earthwork or amphitheater proposals)
• You will NOT be enrolled in a degree-seeking program, either part-time or full-time at an institution of higher learning during the period of the fellowship.
• You are willing to meet the schedule put forth for you to work and for installation at FSP.
• You are eligible to receive this fellowship once every three years; however, second grants to previous recipients will be awarded on a more competitive basis.
• No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.
• No application material will be returned to you.

Helpful Information: Links

• Site map
• Native Trees
• Sample Budget

Franconia Sculpture Park reserves the right to select one artist or artist team to design and execute both the amphitheater and gathering place earthworks. In the event that submitted proposals do not fulfill FSP’s needs, no proposal may be selected.

Jurors and Process

The selection of FSP/Jerome Fellowship recipients 2009, Amphitheater, and Gathering place will be made by 6 jurors, all arts professionals, 4 of whom are contracted and represent different regions of the country. During the review process the panelists are looking for an emerging artist or team who is ambitious, self-challenging, presents a professional application, and who will gain from the FSP experience.

TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THESE THREE OPPORTUNITIES

1. The application Cover Sheet which you can download here.
2. Letter of interest/application including a written description of proposed work
3. Proposal, a sketch or drawing of proposed work. E-generated ok. 8 ½ X 11” only, with your name on the front of each page. No original artwork.
4. 2 color prints: a selection from slides submitted and/or generated proposal, 8½ x 11” only.
5. 8 images on disk only of recent work, each with your name and a number that corresponds with the image script. Images on disk should be saved in JPEG format at 96 ppi, with no more than 7 inches (672 pixels) in the image’s longest dimension. Images should be named with numbers 1 through 8, indicating your preferred viewing order.
6. Image script: includes your name, number corresponding to image, title, media, description (optional), dimensions and date.
7. Current Resumé that must include: place and date of birth, address, telephone, & email address.
8. A budget consisting of income and expense, which must balance. A budget over the amount of fellowship ($3,000-$5,000) must show where additional funds will come from.
9. Specify 1st choice and 2nd choice dates you would be able to be in residency to complete and install your new work.
10. For Amphitheater and Gathering Place provide three references. Include names, relationship, e-mail address, and phone numbers for all.

Please do not send materials larger than 8.5” x 11”. Please make sure your name is on every piece of paper and all materials! We will not return any materials to you. If you would like acknowledgement of receipt of materials, please send a self addressed stamped postcard. Please, no heavy weight paper or gloss stock. Late or incomplete applications will not be included in review process. No e-mail applications. All correspondence after receipt of application will be electronic. If you are notified of acceptance, invited artists must commit and respond within two weeks to confirm participation. Always visit this web site for the most up-to-date information.

FSP accepts applications on an ongoing basis, but the deadline for applications for 2009 funded residency/installations are February 7, 2009. Materials must be postmarked by this date. You may also deliver your application by hand before 4:30 pm on February 7, 2009.
Send all materials to:

Franconia Sculpture Park / Fellowship or Amphitheater or Gathering Place
29836 St. Croix Trail
Franconia, MN 55074
johnhock@franconia.org
Phone 651-257-6668

Additional information for application process

Make sure each page has your name on the front/top. Images on disk should be saved in JPEG format at 96 ppi, with no more than 7 inches (672 pixels) in the image’s longest dimension. Images should be named with numbers 1 through 8, indicating your preferred viewing order. All information should be typed, the packet must be loose with no staples or paper clips, no bigger than 8.5’’x 11". Do not use fancy packaging. Please use only white paper. Do not use heavy weight paper. Type size should be no smaller than 12 pt. Do not send any materials not requested. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and will not be returned. Always check this web site for the most up-to-date information.