Open invitation for the Seventh Art Shanty Projects

Seeking visual artists, musicians, composers, media artists, architects, poets, scientists, dancer/choreographers, writers, builders, fisher-people, outdoors-people, naturalists, puppeteers, set designers, vocalists, spoken word artists, craftspeople, storytellers, actors, playwrights, etc. interested in participating in the design and construction of ice fishing shanty-like structures, producing engaging projects, art, events and shows on frozen Medicine Lake in Plymouth, MN during January and February 2010.

Background:
The weather in Minnesota is challenging. Cold being the harshest. The desire to get out of the house requires significant amounts of energy and creativity. Lakes are an often-used medium for recreational activity in Minnesota. Winter does not stop this use, but transforms it. One of these uses, ice fishing, is a popular winter activity in Minnesota and indeed throughout the world. People often fish from a structure commonly known as an ice fishing house, shelter, shack or shanty. The absence of building codes and restrictions cultivate diversity and uniqueness. From portable, commercially-made shelters to homemade plywood boxes to deluxe fish houses approximating the comforts of home. The architectural common denominator is a trapdoor in the floor allowing access to a hole drilled through the ice. Makeshift communities position themselves over the best fishing spots. Deep in winter, the lake ice can get to be 2-3 feet thick. More than enough to support trucks and cars. The ice fishing season begins when the ice is thick enough to support the weight (around the middle of December) to the last day of February (officially the end of the season.)

Last year was the sixth and, to date, biggest Art Shanty Projects organized by David Pitman as a program of The Soap Factory in Minneapolis. Some 135 artists built shanties, performed, created sculptures, and interacted with the public. Approximately 10,000 visitors showed up to fend off the briskest of windchills. The Art Post Shanty, the world's only Post Office on ice, invited participants to make a postcard and send it from (or to) the ice. The Black Box Theater Shanty thrilled audiences with music, puppets, interpretive dance, and fishing. The Snap Shot Shanty documented their weekly projects and ASP participants. The Norae Shanty was back rocking the ice for everyone's karaoke needs. The bearded crew of the Imperial TransAntarctic Expedition kept spirits high with storytelling, sing-alongs, and many other adventures on the ice. The Projects received extensive media coverage, bringing a large and diverse audience including lake residents, ice fishers, suburbanites, city dwellers, artists, and snowmobilers.

The Call Guidelines and Timeline

Residencies:
We plan to offer 20 residencies for the 2010 Art Shanty Projects (ASP). All proposals must be submitted electronically at http://www.artshantyprojects.org/. Proposals will be selected via a juried process. Due to funding uncertainties this year, the stipend amounts will be announced on September 28th, 2009. The number of residencies is also subject to change depending on the availability of funding. These funds are intended to support artists in building a shanty and/or to spend a significant portion of time on the ice. We do our best to support ASP artists fiscally, logistically, and with as many other resources as we are able.

Performances:
We plan to offer additional stipends for weekend performances and programming in cooperation with Scott Stulen and mnartists.org. Please keep the aspect of performance in mind when planning and proposing your shanty. A separate call will go out in a few weeks detailing this process.

Timeline:

• Informational meetings for applicants at:
  801 Washington Ave N
  Minneapolis, MN 55401
  (entrance on 8th Ave)
  Thursday, September 10, 7pm
  OR Saturday, September 12, 1pm
• October 5: Deadline for receipt of proposals
• October 19: Notification of accepted proposals
• October TBD: Meeting for participants
• October-December: Construction of shanties
• January 9-15 Installation of shanties on the ice
• January 16: Opening of Art Shanty Projects on Medicine Lake
• February 7: Closing of Art Shanty Projects
• February 21: All the shanties must be off the ice

Proposal Requirements:
Please make certain to include details in your proposal speaking to the following requirements.

1. How does the proposal fit the artistic goals of Art Shanty Projects. (see http://artshantyprojects.org/mission)
2. The Hennepin County Water Patrol requires everything to have walls (be an enclosed structure.) If you have questions about this, contact us.
3. Your Shanty must be easily moveable to avoid freezing to the ice. One common option is "skis." Igloos or other structures that rest directly on the ice are not allowed.
4. The main obstacle to working on the lake is the harsh environment. The lake is very windy, which places incredible strain and wear on structures. Any small bits that come off your shanty will become litter. Your shanty must leave no trace. The design of your structure must take the harsh environment into consideration and be built soundly out of durable materials.
5. Reflectors. One of the few codes involving structures on the ice is the placement of reflective material on all sides. This applies to anything on the ice. Think of speeding cars and snowmobiles at night. Reflective tape works well on irregular structures. (See DNR Fishing Shelter regulations, starting page 61: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/fishing/fishing2009.pdf)
6. The lake is a quiet place, consequently generators are not allowed at any time. If you require power there are many options using deep cycle batteries, and even renewable methods to charge those batteries.

Tips:

1. Consider working in teams, there are many physical and logistical challenges which are much easier when working with others.
2. Think about open hours for your shanty. How will it be staffed? The project lasts 5 weekends across 4 weeks.
3. How will your structure stand up to intense winds? Make sure there is nothing on your structure that can fall off or be frozen in the ice.

Questions: e-mail Caitlin at

Art Shanty Projects 2010 applications due October 5, 2009

The 2010 Call for Art Shanty Proposals is now closed