Have you ever imagined a great public project that needs to happen locally but you didn’t know where to start? Maybe it’s a giant inflatable squirrel that chases the Raleigh Acorn, or it’s a laser show inside the vacant Dillon Supply building, or maybe it’s a solar oven that cooks biscuits on the street. FLINTnow wants to harness your ideas and kickstart them for this year’s SPARKcon. We’ll provide the flint, you do the rest.

The FLINTnow project is created and funded by SPARKcon founders Aly and Beth Khalifa. Since transferring full control of SPARKcon to their favorite folks at the Visual Art Exchange, Aly and Beth are now focused on providing creative direction to SPARKcon. Funding of FLINTnow comes directly from them, with the purpose being to help cover out-of-pocket expenses of great ideas and take them from a spark to a full-on fire!

Favorite FLINTnow submissions will:

• Integrate well within the space for SPARKcon 2011 - which is bounded by Fayetteville Street, Warehouse District, History/ Science Museums area, and Glenwood South
• Pushes the limits of technology, artistry, and creativity
• Engages the public
• Relates to SPARKcon themes, needs or goals

Awards will be granted based on the merits of the submission as well as the funds needed to realize the project. In keeping with the tenets of the rest of SPARKcon efforts, the actual worked hours are expected to be volunteered. The awards will be given in the following allotments:

1. Big: $400
2. Bigger: $700
3. Biggest: $1000

Awards will be announced publicly, promoted widely, and become a centerpiece of SPARKcon 2011.

Submission Process:

1. Submit your application.
2. If approved for consideration, it will be posted to the FLINTnow website.
3. Folks will be able to review and rate each application.
4. A panel of judges will evaluate the submissions as well as review the online ratings and award the three top entries.
5. Insallations need to be complete by September 15
6. Installations remain the property of the artist (but may be exhibited by SPARKcon for 1 calendar year)

Application materials:

• 1 page work description, including how it meets FLINTproject goals
• 8-10 slides with images explaining your idea in landscape PDF form
• Budget of out-of-pocket detailing how your project would change based on the three award sizes being given.

APPLY ONLINE HERE

 

download PDF of this press release

SPARKcon is a program of Visual Art Exchange, a Raleigh non-profit dedicated to supporting emerging artists and connecting the community to the arts. They have their own web-site if you want to learn more www.visualartexchange.org

SPARKcon was founded in 2006 by Beth and Aly Khalifa and Designbox to showcase, celebrate and influence the creative momentum of the Triangle region of North Carolina. SPARKcon uses an open-source organizational approach to empower diverse creative thinkers to be inspiring community leaders.