Alaska State Council on the Arts - thread 30th Anniversary Call for Artists

thread is celebrating its 30th anniversary of advancing early care and learning in Alaska. In partnership with the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the organization is seeking ten Alaskan artists to create 30 pieces of artwork with young children in local early care and learning programs. This project, titled ABC – Art By Children, will result in completed artworks that become the property of thread and will be displayed at the organization's fundraising event in late April 2016 in Anchorage.

Selected artists will visit early care and learning programs and provide art instruction for children ages 1-5, working collaboratively to create one artwork per site. Up to ten artists will be selected to create 1-5 artworks each, with compensation of $500 per artwork. Funds for materials may be available upon request. Artwork should highlight a positive connection between children and early learning through the theme "thread." Artists will be given red thread or red yarn as a required material to be incorporated into all final projects. The final pieces should reflect collaboration between the artist and young children.

Artists living in Alaska are eligible to apply and will be selected to represent a variety of regions and demographics. Submissions must include a brief artist statement (5000 characters or less), a summary of experience working with children ages 1-5, an initial plan for child participation, ideas for using red thread or yarn, a list of proposed materials, and 5-10 images of artistic work. Selection criteria include creativity and artistic merit, experience and willingness to work with children, durability for indoor display, portability for shipping to Anchorage, and originality. Completed artwork must be received by March 31, 2016. Artists must also submit a final artist's statement and high-resolution digital photos documenting the project. Notification to selected artists will be December 30, 2015, with an orientation teleconference scheduled for January 11-15, 2016.