Municipality of Anchorage: Elderberry Park Artist Residencies

The Municipality of Anchorage is seeking qualified artists to create non-permanent artwork for Elderberry Park as part of the Department of Parks & Recreation's renovation. Two artist residencies will be funded at $22,000 each for a total budget of $44,000. Artist residencies are planned to begin in Summer 2024 and run through Summer 2025 for a 12-month residency period. Artist projects will be coordinated with the Curator of Public Art and Parks & Recreation.

Elderberry Park is a 1.46-acre neighborhood-use park located in the Bootlegger Cove neighborhood in downtown Anchorage. The park features outstanding views of Cook Inlet, play areas, walkways, and a central plaza, and is home to the historic Oscar Anderson House. The park receives high visitation from both Anchorage residents and visitors and serves as an access point to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Prominent nearby sites include the Alaska Railroad and scenic Cook Inlet.

Proposals must be non-permanent in nature and site-specific to Elderberry Park. Non-permanent art proposals may include performance art, installation art, relational art, social art, and other practices that include public engagement strategies such as education, conversation, inspiration, participation, or collaboration. Examples include live art, workshops, demonstrations, site-tours, music, dance, storytelling, and temporary installations. At least one event or activity that engages the community must take place in and around Elderberry Park. Suggested topics include recognition of indigenous perspectives, the past, present, and future of land use in the Upper Cook Inlet Basin, and the connection between Alaskans and the land. Proposals must include a project timeline and planned duration of work on site. All applicable municipal fees and permitting are the responsibility of the artist. Eligibility is international. Submit six digital images or videos of past work with title, materials, dimensions, and value as applicable, along with a written concept describing the proposed artwork and engagement strategies.