The Art in the Loop Foundation (AILF) is in search of performing artists to bring their creativity to Downtown Kansas City for the 2021 Art in the Loop: Streetcar Summer Performance Series.
Through a competitive, open-call process, AILF selects local artists to perform live music, performance, and other site-specific work along and near the KC Streetcar route in Downtown Kansas City. Selected artists will perform either on one of eight Thursday afternoons (Art in the Loop: Streetcar Summer Performance Series) or for one of two evening dance performances in partnership with Making Moves. Artists will receive a small stipend for their work.
2021 Theme/Prompt: Resilient
What does an inclusive, equitable, accessible, and vibrant Downtown Kansas City look like? What is needed in order for our city to remain resilient – particularly within this present moment? For the 2021 Art in the Loop Project, we are looking for artists to respond to these questions and to explore their vision of resiliency. Proposed projects should reflect these questions and ideas in ways that engage and stimulate Kansas City audiences.
Eligibility:
Professional artists, musicians, spoken-word artists, dance artists, and other performers, at least 18 years of age residing within 50 miles of Kansas City are eligible.
Art in the Loop Mission:
The mission of the Art in the Loop Foundation (AILF) is to contribute to the visual identity, enrichment, and revitalization of Downtown Kansas City, create new opportunities for artistic development, and expand public interaction with new art of excellence. AILF values an equitable, diverse, and inclusive art community.
Performance Opportunities
A. Streetcar Summer Performance Series
Open-call for performing artists (music, theater, spoken word, opera, multi-disciplinary, etc.) to perform as part of Art in the Loop: Streetcar Summer Performance Series. Each performance should take place for approximately one hour and will be provided with an artist’s fee of $300. Performances will take place along the KC Streetcar route on eight separate Thursdays from July 7th – August 26th. Eight artists/performers/groups will be selected. Please note, due to COVID restrictions, performances will not take place onboard KC Streetcar. Click here to see examples from our 2019 Series.
B. Making Moves
This summer, Making Moves is partnering with Art in the Loop to provide two performance opportunities (Wednesday, July 7th and Thursday, August 12th) for local dance artists to present live, in-person performances at specific locations on or near the KC Streetcar route. Selected artists will receive a $350 stipend. Two artists/performers/groups will be selected. For more information on Making Moves, please visit our website.
Performance Schedule
| LOCATIONS | PERFORMANCE DATES | TIMES |
|---|---|---|
| Streetcar Summer Performance Series: Performances will take place at KC Streetcar Stops – visit kcstreetcar.org for more information. | Wednesday, July 7th (Kick-off Event)
Thursdays: July 15th, July 22nd, July 29th, August 5th, Monday, August, 16th (816 Day Celebration) | 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. |
| Making Moves: Kick off- Event at Lightwell August 12 (location to be decided between artist and Art in the Loop) | Wednesday, July 7
Thursday, August 12 | 6:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m. |
| Art in the Loop – Kick-off Event (Indoor program, receptions and performance at Lightwell) | Wednesday, July 7 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Art in the Loop – Closing Reception (Indoor program, receptions and performance) | Wednesday, November 3 | 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
How to apply:
Follow this link to the online application. In addition to a brief project proposal, you will be asked to provide a written artist statement and to provide video or audio samples of past work, no more than five minutes total.
Requirements for selected artists:
- Descriptive material and photo for the website – Artists will provide a brief written description of their work and provide a photo for the project website.
- PR and marketing materials – Artists will provide written material to assist in developing press releases, programs and other materials.
- Kick-Off Event & Reception – tentatively scheduled for July 7 at Lightwell. Artists will be invited to attend.
- Closing Reception – tentatively scheduled for November 3, 2021. Artists will be invited to attend.
Art in the Loop with provide:
- Web presence for each project on artintheloop.com
- Social media, PR, and other marketing
- Logistical support and coordination with property owners and partners
- Documentation of projects (still photography and video as available)
- Printed summary catalog of entire project
Contact Art Director, Kyle Mullins, kylewmullins@gmail.com, or Program Director, Ann Holliday, ann@downtownkc.org with any questions.