Wanted! Up and Coming Artists to Design/Paint the Pianos for June's Pianos on Parade
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 2:18AM
Pianos on Parade In partnership with Keys 4/4 Kids
The Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District (DID) invite you to help advance music downtown with Pianos on Parade. The program will place 25 pianos throughout downtown Minneapolis during the month of June. The pianos will be open for impromptu concerts as well as for programming with local musical talent. Each piano will be painted to evoke a Summer in Downtown Minneapolis theme.
Wanted! Up and coming artists to design and paint the pianos for the program. By supporting Pianos on Parade, you will help to add more vibrancy to downtown Minneapolis and engage all who work, live and play here.
Timeline
Thursday, May 11 Submission deadline of artist application and design description/rendering
Friday, May 12 Acceptance of application and design
Monday, May 15 Payment Installment One Sent
Wednesday, May 17 - May 19 First Shift Painting (up to 13 Pianos)
Tuesday, May 23 - May 25 Second Shift Painting (up to 13 Pianos)
Friday, May 26 Final Payment Installment Sent
Wednesday, May 31 Installation of Pianos
Thursday, June 1 Installation of Pianos Pianos on Parade kick-off
Payment
Artists are provided a $350 stipend per piano, with 50 percent paid upon acceptance and final 50 percent paid upon completion of work. In addition to a payment to support the artist, recognition through Pianos on Parade web page and name inclusion on the piano are provided. The Minneapolis Downtown Council will retain unlimited usage rights for the artwork.
Painting Dates
All pianos are stored at the St. Paul Keys 4/4 Kids Warehouse and schedule times will be available for prep and painting at the warehouse. Due to the scale of the project, painting will need to occur over 3 days between 10am - 6pm on either May 17 - 19 or May 23 - 25. Dates will be assigned upon acceptance. All pianos must be painted during this time and remain on-site.
Specifications
Artists are able to design, prep and paint up to two pianos.
Pianos
Pianos will be a standard upright piano, traditionally 60” wide x 24” deep x 49” high and will be covered with a custom tarp during non-operational hours.
Design
The design must be family-friendly and evoke a Summer in Downtown Minneapolis theme. Pianos may only be painted and any design cannot impede the musical functions of the piano. Designs may not contain advertisement or promotion of products, religion, controversial topics or personal beliefs. Artists must guarantee the design submitted does not violate the copyright of any other entity.
Artists are encouraged to submit unique and vibrant design concepts based on themes surrounding Summer in Downtown Minneapolis.
Pre-Approved Minneapolis Design Themes Downtown Districts: Downtown East , Warehouse District, North Loop, etc. Iconic Buildings: IDS Center, Foshay Towers, U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Center, First Avenue, Target Field etc.
Aquatennial - Downtown Murals - Downtown Minneapolis Skyline - Boom Island - Spoonbridge & Cherry - Loring Park - Mississippi River - Pillsbury Sign - Stone Arch Bridge - Hennepin Avenue - Mill City Ruins - WeDO - Nicollet Mall - Downtown Farmers Market - Maps/Streets of Downtown - Peavey Plaza
*Other design themes are welcome to apply but all themes must be pre-approved before painting.
Applicants are selected based on the following criteria:
• Artistic quality of past work; experience
• Originality of proposal; creative use of theme
• Ability to complete the work in given time and budget
• Ability to create a fully playable, safe, and maintainable work appropriate for the public realm
If interested in designing a piano please email Cat Beltmann with the Minneapolis Downtown Council the below information at Cat@SoGoodConsulting.org. Questions - call Cat at 952-994-8503.
• Short biography or links to portfolio
• Links or photos of past work
• Brief description of your design concept for piano or rendering
• Applicants are reviewed and accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
