Request for Proposals: Ephemeral Beach Art
Ephemeral: lasting a short time; temporary

The Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP) is accepting proposals for an Art Week Ephemeral Project to be installed during the annual City festival, June 20-25.

SWP will commission an artist or team of artists to design and install an ephemeral project primarily using beach sand and rocks on the Lake Superior shoreline behind the SWP office in Presque Isle Park (site will be flagged and is approximately 30’x 240’). This project design should speak to celebrating water, watersheds and Lake Superior within the framework of environmental respect and community engagement.

This program is sponsored by the Superior Watershed Partnership; the selected artist will be paid $500. Interested artists must submit proposals electronically by April 18, 2022 EXTENDED TO MAY 2nd using the following guidelines.

Guidelines

• Eligibility: Upper Peninsula of Michigan artists
• Preference will be given to site-specific work that incorporates the theme of Water
• Work can be created anywhere within the 30’x240’ beach site (no minimum size requirements) and utilize natural materials (sand and rocks) within the project site.
• Work must be environmentally benign
• SWP staff will be available for any related technical/environmental questions.
• Carbon neutral installation process preferred. No large machinery.

Proposals should include:

• Contact information.
• Detailed description of the proposed work including specific dimensions, materials used, and the approximate time needed for installation.
• Please provide conceptual photos and/or sketches if possible.
• Description of precautions that will be taken to protect/restore the site during/after installation.
• Artist(s) résumé and/or vision statement (limit one page).
• Examples of previous work (limit 5 image)

Examples of Ephemeral Artists:

• Artist: Jon Foreman, Instagram, Website
• Artist: Andres Amador Instagram, Website

Timeline:

• 18 April: Proposals due
• 29 April: Decisions announced
• 19-23 June: Installation set-up
• 23 June 5pm: Exhibition opening

Please submit proposals electronically by 2 May 2022, 5 p.m. EDT, to: kathleen@superiorwatersheds.org; a confirmation of receipt will be sent. Questions can also be directed at kathleen@superiorwatersheds.org or (906) 228-6095 ext. 11