18th annual Chicago Artists Month (CAM
You are invited to participate in the 18th annual Chicago Artists Month (CAM), the citywide celebration of our vibrant and diverse arts community.
What is CAM?
Chicago Artists Month is an open call to individual artists and organizations for events that feature Chicago-based artists, in a public venue in Chicago, during the month of October. A marketing initiative of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, CAM showcases the work of Chicago's independent artists and arts organizations, highlights arts activity in Chicago neighborhoods, drives tourism, encourages collaboration and provides opportunities for creative expression and education for all Chicagoans.
Who Can Apply to Participate?
CAM welcomes program submissions from Chicago-based organizations and individuals that:
- Feature one or more professional Chicago-based artists. "Artists" encompasses visual, culinary, performing, design, film, fashion, literary and spoken word artists.
- Take place in October at a public venue in Chicago. Individual artist studios are not considered public venues unless they are part of a neighborhood art walk, studio building tour, or otherwise used as part of a larger public event or program.
CAM In the Neighborhoods
The theme for 2013 is "In the Neighborhoods." As in year's past, Chicago Artists Month is an open call for city-wide events. In addition, this year CAM will provide added focus on several "Featured Neighborhoods." While events in any neighborhood of the City of Chicago are eligible to be part of CAM, special emphasis will be placed on those that take place in these areas and times:
- Edgewater / Uptown - Sept. 28 & 29
- Portage Park - Oct. 4,5 & 6
- South Shore / South Chicago - Oct. 11, 12 & 13
- Pilsen - Oct. 18, 19 & 20
- East Garfield Park - Oct. 24, 25 & 26
How to Submit a Proposal
Proposals are accepted online only. Please apply at surveymonkey.com/s/CAM_2013
Deadline for applications is 5pm, July 15, 2013.
The online application requires: Contact Information, Date/Time, Program Description, Neighborhood/Ward, any related events, and the name and website of 2 participating Chicago Artists.
Accepted proposals will be notified and provided further instructions. If you wish to submit multiple proposals, you must complete a form for each. DCASE will provide marketing support for all accepted proposals.
Ideas for Your Proposal
- Highlight local artists, crafters and arts nonprofits
- Highlight emerging young artists, current art students and recent grads
- POP-UP Marketplace for local art schools
- Identify empty spaces / storefronts where people can show their work
- Showcase ways to develop a community's interest in having original art in their home / work
- Add performance - local musicians, circus, theater, dancers
- Participatory performance - dance (stepping, square, salsa, etc.), karaoke, rap, etc.
- Participatory making -- sidewalk chalk-drawing, yarn bombing, decorated bike parade, knitting circle, poetry slam, etc.
- Open studios in arts buildings
- Collaborate with libraries and park district facilities
- Pop-up exhibits, classes, markets in vacant storefronts
- Encourage unique collaborations - like restaurants featuring fashion + food
- Mural Tours or creating a new mural
- Trolley Tours
- House / Garden Tours in the neighborhood
- Bicycle Tours of the neighborhood
- Sculpture walks
- Trunk shows featuring local designers
- Seminar on buying art, an art auction
- Leverage other cultural activities in your neighborhood throughout the year
- Activate CTA stops
- Make a day/night of it
Meet other prospective CAM participants and representatives from the 2013 Featured Neighborhoods at a networking session at 6pm on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at the Chicago Cultural Center. An overview of the event will be presented followed by Q +