Artists, Listen Up: ArtSpark and First Night Austin Want Your Talent

HBMG Foundation is still inviting folks to apply for the 2007 ArtSpark Festival, a twelve-week-long creative festival and competition that pits teams of theatre junkies, video game developers, and visual artists against one another to create awesome new works. At orientation, each team is given a "spark," an object which serves as the catalyst and inspiration to jumpstart the team's creative process. If you'd like to apply but can't find a team to join, you should submit a general Talent Pool application; they'll be hosting two gatherings where you can mingle with potential teammates and hopefully get a group going. Either way, get your applications submitted post haste, as the deadline is today. We should also note that the grand prize winning team scores a smooth $5k.

[ArtSpark FAQ]
[ArtSpark Applications]

ArtSpark Festival
May 21-August 12

Somewhat longer term, the good folks behind First Night Austin have announced their Call to Artists for the third annual New Year's Eve celebration. Last year's event, for which Austinist served as media sponsor, drew yet another record turnout, with over 130,000 Austinites taking in the day-long activities.

The FNA committee is looking for proposals from both emerging and established artists in just about every discipline conceivable, including "visual/environmental/interdisciplinary and performance art, music, movement theater, dance, puppetry, storytelling, slam poetry and the literary arts, film, video, theater, wearable art, participatory craft making, circus arts, comedy, cultural arts, [and] technology art." As you might recall, First Night is made up of several different segments, starting with the Family Festival and ending with the Grand Procession. In between, there are tons of nifty involvment opportunities, like the "Neighborhood Collaborative" project, where artists are teamed up with members of the public, and "Storefront Window" installations, where you're basically given a blank (or transparent, rather) canvas to create your visual masterpiece. Best of all, First Night covers the production budget.

Because applying to First Night can seem a fairly daunting process, you should consider attending one of the two artist information meetings being offered in the coming weeks. They'll walk you through the proposal process and answer any questions you might have. All applications are due by Friday, June 15th.

[First Night Austin Official Site]
[First Night Austin Application (pdf)]

First Night Austin Artist Information Meetings
Central Market North, 4001 North Lamar Blvd.
Saturday, April 28 (10:30am–12pm)
Wednesday, May 1 (6:30pm–8pm)
RSVP to Ginny Sanders at ginny@firstnightaustin.org