Could you be Bend’s first Creative Laureate?

The City of Bend, Arts and Culture Alliance of Central Oregon and ScaleHouse are now accepting applications for Bend’s first Creative Laureate.

On April 18, the Bend City Council announced a proclamation for the introduction of the Creative Laureate, sponsored by Councilor Sally Russell.

The Creative Laureate, presented by ScaleHouse, will serve as the official ambassador for the broader creative community in Bend. The Laureate will participate in community education, advocacy, and public events including speaking engagements and workshops.

The City of Portland’s Creative Laureate was established in 2012 with artist Julie Keefe. Bend is the second city in the state and the nation to designate this role.

“We see this an opportunity to advocate for the overall cultural health of our community,” says Rene Mitchell, the chair of ScaleHouse, a member-supported non-profit arts organization that produces year-round events, including talks and workshops, exhibitions and performances, and the annual Bend Design conference.

ScaleHouse presented this idea to the City of Bend and the Arts and Culture Alliance after working with the City of Portland and seeing the positive impact of the Creative Laureate role in Portland. Mitchell added, “We are looking for an individual to speak to the power and importance of creativity, someone to unite, energize and engage our citizens through art.”

The Creative Laureate will be administered by The Arts and Culture Alliance and selected by a committee representing the arts, culture and creative community. This role will serve a two-year term starting September 1, 2018, and applications/nominations will be accepted from any creative industry, including writers, poets, designers, filmmakers, potters, painters, dancers, musicians representing the broader creative community.

Please see application below.

ABOUT THE ARTS AND CULTURE ALLIANCE:

Formed in May of 2010, the Arts & Culture Alliance realizes the impact the arts have on Central Oregon and the economy. The ACA was formed to create collaboration and networking opportunities for local arts and cultural organizations; their shared purpose in working together to promote the arts and supporting each other establishes a collective voice.For more information visit artsandcultureco.org.

ABOUT SCALEHOUSE CONTEMPORARY CREATIVE CENTER:

ScaleHouse is an invitation to explore and shape the world we live in, through visual arts, performing arts, architecture and design, film and storytelling, and conceptual arts & activism. ScaleHouse produces year-round talks, workshops, exhibitions, performances, special events, and the fourth annual Bend Design, scheduled for October 25+25, 2018. For more information visit scalehouse.org.

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City of Bend Creative Laureate Application

The City of Bend, Arts and Culture Alliance and ScaleHouse are seeking candidates to serve as our next Creative Laureate and the official ambassador for the broader creative community in Bend, Oregon.

Bend’s Creative Laureate can be from any creative industry, including painters, photographers, designers, architects, potters, dancers, musicians, writers, poets, filmmakers, crafters, makers, or anyone who feels they represent the broader creative community.

The first Creative Laureate will be expected to actively participate in a select number of public events, public speaking engagements, workshops, and displays or presentations of their own artistic work, as well as interactions with the media.

Candidates will be selected based on the following criteria:

Record of high quality work.

Connection to the broader arts community.

Willingness to serve a 2-year term.

Strong public speaker.

Commitment to meet the expectations and time requirements of this volunteer position.

A personal commitment to equity and expanding access to the arts

Application

In no more than 1-2 pages, please answer each of the following questions. Please submit a PDF.

Why do you want to be the first City of Bend’s Creative Laureate?

What qualifications do you have that would make you a successful Creative Laureate?

What do you hope to accomplish during your time as the City of Bend’s Creative Laureate?

Applications must include a resume or CV as attachment.

Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00pm on August 1st

Process and Additional Information

Applications will be reviewed be a Selection Committee made up of arts community members and City representatives.

August 1: Application Deadline

August 3: Send applications to Selection Committee

Week of August 6: Selection Committee meet with top 4 choices

Week of August 13: Check references and in-person meeting, if needed

Creative Laureate will be announced the week of August 20th and designated at the City of Bend Council meeting in August.

September 1st 2018- Term Begins

Creative Laureate will receive a $5,000 stipend over the two-year term (not to exceed $2,500 per year September 1st, 2018 to September 1, 2019 and September 1st, 2019 and September 1, 2020).

Creative Laureate Selection Committee will provide schedule of events and activities for Creative Laureate to attend.

Creative Laureate expected to deliver quarterly reports on activities, observations, and ideas to Selection Committee, which will be submitted to the City of Bend.

Visit https://www.artsandcultureco.org/creative-l for more information