Call for Artists: Site-Specific Creation at Sage Theatre's 2016 Ignite! Festival

Call for Artists – Site-Specific Creation at Sage Theatre’s 2016 Ignite! Festival

Emerging artists interested in creating and presenting new work in unusual spaces are invited to apply to the 2016 Ignite! Festival’s Site-Specific Creation program, with mentorship from Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre.
The exact format and nature of the site-specific work has yet to be determined! We’re in the midst of securing a venue, which will influence whether there is a structured tour made up of short performances/experiences (as we’ve done many times in the past – with such examples as Spark, Let Down Your Hair and the Site-Specific Spectacular)… or something new!
Here’s what we do know:

  • This application is open to emerging artists (as individuals or groups) of all creative disciplines.
  • You will be asked to create a new, site-specific performance / experience / artwork in an unconventional environment, somewhere adjacent to the main festival site.
  • You will receive production support, a small honorarium, an Ignite! Artist Pass, and mentorship and a creation workshop from Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre.
  • You will work alongside a group of your fellow emerging artists to create some cool shit.

Timeline:
February 17, 2016 – Application deadline
February 28, 2016 – Successful applicants notified
April 16, 2016 – Site-Specific Creation Workshop with Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre
June 19-20, 2016 – Installation / dress rehearsals
June 21-25, 2016 – Public presentation at the 2016 Ignite! Festival
Application:
Please submit a description (maximum two pages) of:

  • Your creative practice.
  • Your experience with site-specific creation, if any.
  • Your interest in site-specific creation.

You may also submit additional materials, including: CV, video, reviews, surprises.
You are NOT required to apply with a specific project in mind; in fact, you’re encouraged to start your creation process from a blank slate and allow the site to inform your work. But hey, we don’t actually know the shape of this thing yet… so if you’ve got a specific idea, throw it in there and we’ll see what we can do.
Questions and submissions should be emailed to ignite_sitespecific@sagetheatre.com with the subject line: “Ignite! Site-Specific Creation”.
Important Note About The Deadline
While February 17 is our application deadline, we view the submission process as a conversation. The earlier you submit, the better conversation we can have.
About the Ignite! Festival of Emerging Artists
Ignite! is a festival dedicated to supporting, mentoring and presenting emerging artists of all disciplines. Ignite! allows artists to embrace risks in a supportive environment while providing resources, a bridge to the professional arts community, and meaningful opportunities for collaboration and community building with their peers.
About Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre
Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre is Calgary’s leading purveyor of fearless site-specific theatre. It enriches the lives of artistic thrill-seekers by creating and presenting theatre experiences that push boundaries in unconventional spaces. For more information, visit www.swallowabicycle.com.
Other opportunities
The Ignite! Festival has a number of other series. Please visit Sage Theatre’s website for full details. Artists are welcome to apply for more than one festival component.