The Fremont Arts Council (FAC) 2014 Solstice Parade will take to the streets of Fremont on Saturday, June 21st at 3p. Those who have a great idea for art, but might need a little money (up to $1,500) to realize it, can apply now for one of the Dave McKay Parade Art Grants. The deadline is Monday, April 7th, at 5p, but applicants lose nothing by submitting early.
The Dave McKay Parade Art Grant Fund supports the development of art and performance for the Fremont Solstice Parade. For 2014, the FAC will award a total of $6,000 in funds. The special kind of courage needed to bring creative self-expression into the public arena was embodied in Dave McKay, a celebration artist knowing for his master skills, thoughtful intention and deep attention to detail and craftsmanship. He believed art and art making should be part of everyone’s life, and he encouraged it during his years with the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration and the Fremont Solstice Parade.
A community-based celebration arts organization, the FAC values volunteerism, community participation, artistic expression and sharing art skills. As producers of the profound street theater spectacle that is the Solstice Parade, the FAC welcomes the participation of everyone regardless of who they are, what they think, where they live or what they believe. However, the FAC does reserve the right to control the content presented in this very public forum.
To apply for a McKay Parade Art Grant, any artist or artist group must present their a vision of something awesome they want to bring to life at the Solstice Parade – and be a member of the FAC (to join, go on-line to register now, and pay the annual fee of $25.) McKay funds may be used to cover artist’s fees, materials, supplies, equipment purchase or rental, travel or transportation. Existing artwork may be remounted for parade exhibition. Grant funds may not be used to stage fundraising events, for project expenses that occurred prior to the Parade project season, or for operating costs not directly associated with the Parade.
Most often, the proposals selected by the FAC for grant funds help develop a parade ensemble – a group of five or more people working on a common theme to perform in the procession. Proposals for parade related art installations, at Gas Works Park where the parade ends, or other crazy ideas that elevate the artistic quality of the event would be welcomed for consideration. Special consideration will be given to first applicants, projects to be created in the FAC community art studio, projects that include public workshops, large-scale projects that use the 360 degree space of street theater, and using repurposed materials.
For more information, and the application, visit the FAC Facebook page. Applications must be submitted electronically to lesliez@fremontartscouncil.org, although support materials may be submitted to The Powerhouse at 3940 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103, by 5p on April 7th. Selections, and notification, will be made on April 14th.
Any questions about the application process, and/or the Grant Fund, can be directed to the Solstice Parade Director, Leslie Zenz, who welcomes new applicants with new ideas to realize. Contact her at 360/951-9177 or 206/547-7440, or through leslies@fremontartscouncil.org