elderberry park artist residencies

Municipality of Anchorage: Elderberry Park Artist Residencies requests for proposals is now open.

The art selection jury intends to commission two artists, artist teams, or collectives to implement non-permanent projects totaling $44,000 ($22,000 each) to take place in and around the area of Elderberry Park in Downtown Anchorage, Alaska. Prominent sites in the immediate area include the historic Oscar Anderson House, the Alaska Railroad, the Tony Knowles Coastal trail, and scenic Cook Inlet - Tikahtnu. This park receives high visitation from both Anchorage residents and visitors as it is located within the downtown area and highlights a view of Mount Susitna - Dghelishla.

Themes

The art selection jury is seeking proposals for non-permanent art projects that are site-specific to Elderberry Park to be carried out during the one-year residency period. There are no limitations on mediums or practices so long as they are not permanent in nature. Non-permanent art proposals may include, but are not limited to performance art, installation art, relational art, social art, and other practices that include public engagement strategies such as education, conversation, inspiration, participation, or collaboration. Some examples of these practices include, live art, workshops, demonstrations, site-tours, music, dance, story-telling, and temporary installations.

Suggested topics of exploration include, but are not limited to:

• Recognition and acknowledgement of cultural values that elevate indigenous perspectives.
• The past, present, and future of land use in the Upper Cook Inlet Basin.
• Highlighting and broadening understanding of the connection between Alaskans and the land.

Art Selection Jury

Mélisa Babb is a landscape architect with Bettisworth North and developed the design for the Elderberry Park renovation. Darrell Hess is the Municipal Ombudsman and 58-year resident of Anchorage. Tanya Hickok is a Park Planner with the Parks and Recreation Department and civil engineer for the Elderberry Park project. Bruce Farnsworth is a long-time Alaskan, arts advocate, and participant in Anchorage’s arts and creative communities. Meghan Holtan is an urban planner, performer, and data analyst. Britt’Nee Kivliqtaruq Brower is an Inupiaq artist and curator, raised in Utqiavik and Beth Nordlund is the Executive Director of the Anchorage Park Foundation, serving since the foundation’s inception.

Gideon Gerlt is the Curator of Public Art and director of the Public Art Program.