Call For Artists: Spoken Word Performer or Street Artist For Lilla Jewel Award

MRG Foundation is seeking a woman artist who lives in Oregon to introduce and showcase a short performance/presentation of their creation in three venues, including Justice within Reach (JWR) in Portland, Oregon on May 12, 2017; MRG’s Southern Oregon Celebration in Talent, Oregon in September 2017; and one other mutually-agreed upon showcase in 2017, specific time and place TBD.

Justice within Reach is the social justice party of the year and MRG’s largest annual fundraiser, bringing together nearly 500 activists, community leaders, and progressive philanthropists to raise money in support of social change organizing across the state. Each year, the Lilla Jewel Artist showcases inspiring and engaging art that elevates the power and impact of social change.

See the full Call for Artists here and the application here.

Who Should Apply

Funding for this award is made possible by MRG’s Lilla Jewel Fund for Women Artists. Lilla Jewel was an artist, a mother, a radical and a suffragist. The Lilla Jewel Fund for Women Artists at MRG promotes the work of women artists, particularly women of color and queer women.

In order to be selected, an applicant must:

Identify as “woman” or “female”. We welcome trans women, genderqueer women, and non-binary people who are significantly female-identified.
Live in Oregon.
Have experience speaking in front of large (200+) audiences.
Be able to work collaboratively with MRG staff and volunteers to craft an introduction that will inform and inspire MRG’s audience.

The Street Art must be:

The selected artist will display their art and provide a 2 to 4 minute introduction of their work, speaking to the themes and intent of their work for event attendees.
The street art and introduction should advance a social change message.
The street art can be previously created work, work in progress, or be new work, but must be timely and relevant.
The street art piece must be completed by Friday, April 14, 2017.
The street art and introduction should be appropriate for an all-ages audience concerned with social justice, including young children.

The Spoken Word must be:

The selected artist will create a spoken word performance no more than five minutes long and provide a 2 to 4 minute introduction of their work, speaking to the themes and intent of their work for event attendees.
The spoken word piece and introduction should advance a social change message.
The spoken word piece can be previously created or new but must be timely and relevant.
The spoken word and introduction should be appropriate for an all-ages audience concerned with social justice, including young children.

How to Apply

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 31, 2017.

Step 1: Be sure to read the full Call for Artists before submitting your application.
Step 2: You can download the application here.
Step 3: Email your application to [email protected] or mail your application to MRG Foundation, 1231 SE Morrison, Suite A, Portland, OR 97214. Applications must be received or postmarked by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31, 2017. Late applications will not be accepted.

Compensation

The chosen artist will receive $4,500. An additional $500 is available for additional artists or expenses. Please review the full Call for Artists for contract and compensation details.