Request for Proposals: ART WALK POP-UP! 2016 -17
The First Friday Art Walk and Fine Arts For Ocala are seeking creative
and innovative proposals for the activation of public spaces within the
First Friday Art Walk event zone, including the Downtown Square and
sidewalks.
We are seeking proposals from individual artists, collaborative artist
teams, arts and culture related businesses, and other for-profit or nonprofit organizations or entities that will provide the most high quality
and innovative approaches to activating spaces in Downtown during
the Art Walk Event. Student involvement is encouraged.
Proposals should have the ability to be executed during one
of the February 2017 through May 2017 Art Walk Events.
For examples of art installations and activation projects in
ours and other communities, please visit the following
websites:
www.candychang.com
www.improveverywhere.com
www.urbanyarnage.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmsgvtjgVmU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H38BTMnKhAE
www.facebook.com/AbandonedArtOcala
Project Goals:
Downtown Ocala is currently in stage of positive change and growth, including new business
development and infrastructure projects. Our community has witnessed an increase in the amount
and quality of special events occurring within our downtown core, including the addition of the Feel
Downtown LIVE concert series, Ocala’s Craft Beer Festival, Ocala Art Festival, and many more. Art
Walk Pop-Up! will keep the momentum building through artistic endeavors that will activate public
spaces within the First Friday Art Walk event zone. These unexpected Pop-ups! will energize the art
walk event and benefit artists, business partners, and the community by:
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Developing a creative atmosphere.
Increasing foot traffic as the public moves throughout the event zone to view the Pop Up!
activities and/or installations.
Engaging the public, literally, if possible.
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Proposal:
Proposal should be in PDF Format and emailed to [email protected] . Please place pages of text
and images within the PDF in the exact order outlined below.
1. Cover Page with Contact Information and Summary:

Write the applicant name(s), email, telephone, address, and website. If a collaborative, list
the names, contact information, and websites for all of the project partners, and indicate
one lead contact for the project.

The cover page should include the name and a 50 word description of the project.
2. Letter of Interest: A one page letter that explains interest in the project, relevant experience, and
ability to complete the project. If a collaborative or team is proposed, describe the team was formed
and past experience working together. If the applicant has no previous experience working on a
similar project, describe past experiences that are relevant to this project and how the project will
be successful.
3. Narrative: A one page project narrative that describes the project. If you are submitting more than
one proposal, the narrative is limited to one page per proposal. Each narrative should include a
description of what will occur and the length of time proposed, i.e. will this be an activity that occurs
on an art walk night and/or will it be an art installation that may be exhibited for the weekend, etc;
and a description of any project partners.
4. Budget: A one-page project budget that includes all costs associated with the project. If awarded,
this grant will cover 50% of your expenses up to $500. In your budget please include a funding
source to cover remaining expenses.
5. Image w/ descriptions: In PDF format that includes a short description of each rendering and/or
example of past work. A digital copy of this script must be included on the CD, and a paper copy
must be included in the application. The description for each image should include the following
information as applicable: title, dimensions, materials, budget, location, and a brief summary.
6. Résumé or Bio: up to two pages. If submitting as a team, submit a resume or bio of up to two pages
for each member.
7. Professional References: A list of at least three professional references. This list must include
addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. List how the reference is connected to the
applicant or team.
Project proposals must be submitted no later than November 30, 2016.
Proposals will be reviewed by the First Friday Art Walk Steering Committee and be critiqued based
upon:
1. Feasibility, innovation, creativity, and the potential for greatest impact.
2. A demonstrated ability to manage a project of the proposed scale and budget.
3. Activation of a public space at night during the Art Walk Event.
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Finalists will be notified by December 12, 2016, and will select their event dates in order of
proposal ranking. The Pop Up! activities will be included in the First Friday Art Walk special
event permitting with the City of Ocala at no charge to the finalists.
Finalists will be awarded up to 50% of their project budget, not to exceed $500. Fine Arts For Ocala
will provide ½ of the award 30 days prior to the agreed upon Pop Up! date (project unveiling at an
Art Walk Event). The balance of the award will be provided after project completion, including any
necessary clean up.
Eligibility:
The most innovative, feasible, and creative proposals will be selected to participate in the program.
Applicants are welcome from the Ocala/Marion County region and beyond. Eligible applicants to the
program include visual artists, performance artists, artist collectives, art organizations, students,
entrepreneurs, and non-profit and for profit organizations and businesses who are seeking to develop
a presence in Downtown Ocala. Artist teams are encouraged, and could consist of visual artists,
architects, landscape architects, designers, writers, poets, performance artists, etc. The definition of
“artist team” is very broad within the context of this program and is meant to allow for the most
interesting and engaging partnerships possible among a variety of disciplines and professionals.
For more information please contact:
Alexandria Marcello
City of Ocala Cultural Arts Coordinator
352-629-8447
[email protected]
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2015-16 Art Walk Pop Ups!
Ocala Star Banner Article
By Rick Allen
Staff writer
Published: Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 6:30 a.m.
There'll be art for the taking at December's First Friday Art Walk this week.
All you have to do is find it. So be on the lookout for "doodle stones," “boosts in a box” or even a "funky
diorama" of the downtown square.
Such treasures are part of a new element called the Art Walk Pop Up that's debuting at 6 p.m. Friday
throughout downtown Ocala.
Sponsored jointly by the city and Fine Arts For Ocala, Pop Up is a way to engage walkers with select artists
who inject some kind of surprise or unusual art into the regular mix of artists doing their thing on the first
Friday of every month.
"We were looking for projects that encourage public interaction and (that) activate the event zone,” said
Melissa Townsend, cultural arts manager for the city. "Event zone" is another term for most of
"downtown."
Pop Up is the next stage in making downtown vibrant. "Our community has witnessed an increase in the
amount and quality of special events" downtown, notes the Pop Up info flier. "Art Walk Pop Up will keep
the momentum building through artistic endeavors that activate public spaces within the Art Walk event
zone."
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One of the primary Pop Up goals is “engaging the public, literally, if possible.”
Popping Up first is Diane Cahal, a Rainbow Lakes Estates-based artist who is introducing the concept of
"abandoned art" to Ocala and the Art Walk. It's sort of a free-form scavenger hunt.
She has created 10 small pieces of art that she has been scattering about the event zone this week. If art
walkers on Friday find one of Cahal's works, it's theirs.
“They might be on a bench on the square, on the sidewalk somewhere -- they could be anywhere," Cahal
said. "A lot of the time it's found by the person who is supposed to find it.”
She said she's been doing this for a while as
one of several thousand artists around the
world dabbling in abandoning their art. “So
far, all the pieces I've abandoned have been
found,” she said. “It's exciting to toss it to the
winds and see what happens.”
She's hoping the finders Friday will drop by
her station on the square to let her know, or
at least share their story of finding the piece
on her Abandoned Art of Ocala page on
Facebook, where she began dropping
location hints on Wednesday. “I want to start
a dialogue," she added.
As usual at the Art Walk, about 40 artist stationed around the downtown core, painting, weaving and
working wood creations. There will be entertainment and extended shopping hours.
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Abandoned Art of Ocala
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North Marion and Howard Middle Schools - Recycled Flower Project
Grant recipients Tasha Strigle (North Marion Middle School) and Staci Moore (Howard Middle School)
coordinated a Dale Chihuly inspired sculpture installation at the First Friday Art Walk on March 4, 2016. As a way to
collaborate between two local middle schools, students created 3D whimsical floral sculptures out of recycled
2-liter soda bottles mounted on wooden stakes. The flowers were “planted” or staked together around the
downtown square for public enjoyment! Visit http://www.chihuly.com/ to see where they get their inspiration!
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