SPARC352 Community ARTS Projects: Call For Artist Proposals

Opportunity: SPARC352 invites artists or artist teams to submit applications to lead the design and integration of a creative art project in collaboration with communities. The selected design should recognize and celebrate the history, contributions, and culture of the community they engage with, inspire creativity and curiosity, and consider elements of advocacy. Applications will open February 1st and will be accepted until 11:59 pm February 29th, 2024. The project is open to Artists living in Alachua County and must include residents from the following communities: Duval, Lincoln Estates, Porters, Springhill, or Pleasant Street in the design and/or execution of the project. 

Project Background: SPARC352 is a place-based initiative grounded in the idea that arts are at the core of vibrant and healthy communities. In partnership with community members, SPARC352 aims to develop self-sustaining community centers for learning, wellness, workforce development, and historic and cultural preservation through creativity and collaboration. Each center will be a Space for People, Arts, Research, and Creative Collaboration and Community (SPARC352). We present SPARC352 as a case study in reckoning with the past and pressing toward cultural organizing, public scholarship, and institutional change work.

Project Goals: We have three major goals for this project: (1) to increase community capacity to capture and share their histories and contribute to their community aesthetics; and (2) to develop a model for collaboration between artists, researchers, and communities; and (3) to create more equitable and beneficial collaborations and partnerships between the University of Florida and the diverse populations and cultures in the Gainesville community. 

Project Themes: Projects should align with one of the following themes: 

Community Vibrancy: Promoting social cohesion while using art to re-imagine and re-create community aesthetics. 

Preservation of Community Culture: Protecting communities from gentrification and culture loss 

Alive and Outside (Activating outdoor spaces): Activating outdoor and vacant spaces for the purpose of community engagement 

Youth Empowerment/Enrichment: Creating safe spaces, programs, and activities to improve the lives of young people. 

Application with more information in the link. Follow us @sparc352 on Facebook and Instagram.

Applicant Support: SPARC 352 staff are available to provide support to interested applicants through individual meetings and during a virtual Q&A session. During the Q&A session staff will review the application process, provide project background, and answer questions.