2024 Facing Race: A National Conference

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Indigenous History of St. Louis Art Installation Experience

Deadline for receipt of proposals is Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 at 11:59PM EST

PURPOSE & SCOPE 

The Facing Race Conference, hosted by Race Forward, is extending an invitation to Indigenous artists to submit proposals for an upcoming art installation in the St. Louis, Missouri Region. The objective of this project is to celebrate Indigenous resilience, history, and excellence. We are in search of original and captivating proposals that will engage, enlighten, and motivate attendees of Facing Race. This is a unique opportunity to amplify Indigenous voices and narratives and uplift the original stewards of the St. Louis region.   

This installation will be featured at the 2024 Facing Race Conference on November 20 - 22, 2024
 

BACKGROUND

About Facing Race

At Race Forward, we believe a just, multiracial, democratic society is possible, yet it requires that racial justice be a fundamental principle of that society. We must join together in building collective power and strategy to root out systemic racism.

Facing Race merges our narrative, sectoral, and community work actively counteracting oppressive systems into a single space, to collectively strategize and build toward the racially just world that we all deserve. It is the largest intergenerational gathering for organizers, educators, creatives, and other leaders in the movement for racial justice. Over nearly two decades, this national conference has featured more than one hundred workshops, engaging presenters, and keynote speakers that highlight campaigns, projects, and research that promote systemic solutions to racial equity challenges. This year’s event will take place in St Louis, Missouri on November 20th - 22, 2024.

SCOPE OF WORK

Project Timeline

We anticipate for the artist(s) to be selected by mid-June and can begin working on the project in July. The installation is to be completed by the end of October and ready to install on November 19th, 2024. 

Pre-Planning

• Set up regularly scheduled monthly check-ins to go over onboarding, answer any questions and provide progress reports. 
• The artist(s) will report to Castro the Race Forward Conference & Convenings Coordinator and will work in collaboration with the Facing Race & Frizzy By Nature team who are leading the curation of the space where the installation will live. 

Installation Location/Specs

Selected artist(s) will produce an interactive/engaging educational art installation that will live in the Vendor/Exhibition Hall of the Facing Race Conference.   

• The Installation will be in Hall 5 of the Convention Center. You can find a floor map here for perspective. 
• The installation should be able to live free standing in a 40ft x 30ft area that will more than likely be against a wall or fill a corner area. 
• This installation can be a culmination of mediums like video, wheat paste, photography, mural work, music, fashion, lighting, the uplifting of already existing art works, cultural items, regalia and more. 

Installation Goal / Theme

• Our goal for this installation is to uplift the Indigenous experience and history of the St. Louis region. 
• We hope that this installation will educate our attendees who are a diverse group of people coming from all over the country, with some folks even traveling overseas to participate too.
• This is an opportunity to share what was erased from the history books; we want to be very intentional that Indigenous people are the ones sharing this history in the ways in which they want this story told. 

      Emphasize ongoing Indigenous presence and history highlighting: 

• The history of Western Expansion, Manifest Destiny and/or tribal relocation. 
• Celebrating pre-contact Indigenous greatness including the Cahokia Mounds and cultural contributions.  
• Uplift solidarity efforts and voices from the region fighting to protect the land and culture. 
• We hope this installation encourages our attendees to bring new found knowledge back to their communities. 
• Our priority is to uplift Indigenous voices from this region and we are open to a variation of theme and goal, welcoming proposals for different narratives.
   

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Open to artists of Native American / People of Indigenous backgrounds/relations to the St. Louis Region. 
• This project can be completed as an individual artist and/or a collaborative effort. 
• Must have experience in previous art installation projects. 
• Must have their own vehicle, tools, and capabilities to transport, install, and uninstall the installation. 
• A deep understanding of racial justice issues and a commitment to representing diverse perspectives authentically and respectfully.
• Creativity and a unique artistic vision for capturing the intersection of race, culture, and identity in St. Louis.
• Ability to work sensitively and collaboratively with community members and organizations to tell their stories.
   

PROPOSAL GUIDELINES 

• Artist Statement: briefly describe your artistic background, inspiration for the proposed installation, and how it relates to our theme/goals. 
• Proposal Concept: clearly outline your vision for the art installation, including materials, dimensions, and any interactive or participatory elements. Please be as detailed as possible. 
• Visual Documentation: Submit sketches, renderings, or other visual representations of your proposed installation. Please be as detailed as possible.
   

Budget: $25K
 

Submission Deadline:

All proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 11:59 PM EST. Late submissions will not be considered.
 

Selection Process:

A jury of Race Forward and Facing Race representatives will review all submitted proposals. The top 3 applicants will be invited to interview for the opportunity the week of June 3rd, 2024. The final selected artist(s) will be notified by the week of June 10th, 2024.