Open Call: Jamaica Flux, Workspaces & Windows 2021

Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) is now accepting submissions through March 28, 2020 for Jamaica Flux: Workspaces & Windows 2021. JCAL seeks proposals from artists to research the neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens, in 2020 for the presentation, and possible creation, of new, site-specific, public art projects that engage the local community in 2021.

Jamaica Flux is a contemporary public art project in which visual and performance art are displayed at a variety of locations along Jamaica Avenue in Queens, NY, including public and private open spaces and storefronts. With the intent to build equity and expand cultural inclusion throughout Southeast Queens, Jamaica Flux strives to commission and present art that involves the local community and creates changes in behavior and policy while also documenting the developments and contradictions that arise in the process.

Open Call Description
Jamaica Flux: Workspaces and Windows 2021 seeks proposals from artists to research the neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens, in 2020 for the presentation, and possible creation, of new, site-specific, public art projects that engage the local community in 2021.

Artists will receive $500 for their research that involves dialogue and collaboration with local businesses, sites, and/or social organizations around Jamaica Avenue. Research outputs (drawings, renderings, photographs, video, text, interviews, maquettes, mark-ups et. al) will be exhibited in the Miller Gallery at the Jamaica Arts Center, from May 14 through July 10th 2021.

Depending on available funding, the artists will receive additional support of up to $2,500 to materialize their visions of creating new, site-specific, public artworks, and present their project to the public in the physical site proposed, along with related programming in 2021. A published print catalog will be produced and distributed both on- and offline following the exhibition in 2021.

With dedicated support for under-recognized artists and disenfranchised arts communities, a total of 15 artist research projects that meaningfully explore the themes of Jamaica Flux will be selected by the Curatorial Team, with support from an Art Advisory and Community Committee. Selected artists will be required to attend three meetings with the Jamaica Flux team and a variety of community members for research guidance from June to December 2020 (meeting dates TBD).

Selection Criteria

Conceptual rigor, artistic quality, and potential impact

Feasibility of the proposed research and creation of the final artwork

The ability of the artist to conduct the proposed research in the set timeline

Ability and availability of the artist to attend three research meetings (starting June to December 2020) & engage/collaborate with the site, community, and audience

Significance of the work for the community and contemporary art, especially as an agent for social change

Potential benefits of participating in this commission for the artist

Potential contributions of the artist’s proposed activity to the project as a whole

Eligibility
All artists living in New York City are eligible – regardless of age, gender, or nationality. All media is welcomed.