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Call for Submissions // AR Bernard


  • Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art 421 Cawston Avenue (unit 103) Kelowna, BC, V1Y 6Z1 Canada (map)

Last year’s AR Bernard pieces, video courtesy of Downtown Kelowna.

The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, Kelowna Art Gallery and Maud Collective are seeking Okanagan artists to participate in AR Bernard, an augmented reality art exhibition on Bernard Avenue during Summer 2022.

Taking place between July 1- and September 6, AR Bernard will transform Bernard Avenue and the heart of Kelowna into a prime destination to view augmented reality (AR) artwork created in collaboration with local digital illustrators, animators and musicians. The project supports local business vitality and the creative sector of Kelowna in a physically distanced and COVID-safe way.

AR Bernard is seeking artists who work in 2D digital art, animation or music. Artists may apply in more than one category, however separate submissions are required. Selected artists will be placed on teams that include a digital illustrator, an animator, and a musician to create a two-dimensional piece of digital art that will be brought to life through augmented reality and music. The use of augmented reality will allow the animation to be overlaid on top of the image. The two mediums will be superimposed to create the interactive piece. The animation will feature music by a local musician/band. In total, seven AR works will be created for this exhibition and will involve (up to) 21 local artists.  For example, the digital illustrator will create the canvas, the animator will supply animation components or animate aspects of the canvas, and the musician will provide the musical score.

Selected artists will receive professional fees and attend a workshop covering the concepts of AR and the technical requirements of the project. Final works will be digitally reproduced and installed along Bernard Avenue between July 1- and September 6, 2022.

If you are interested in participating in AR Bernard, please complete the online submission process by May 15, 2022.

To submit, you will need the following:

  1. A brief reason for wanting to participate in this project. (100 words max) 

  2. Include examples of past work. The jury will only accept links to online work.

  3. Digital illustrator: Please provide a web link(s) to at least 3 examples of previous 2D artwork.
    Animators: Please provide a web link(s) to a video hosting website (YouTube, Vimeo, etc) including at least 3 examples of animation work, or your demo reel (30sec - 1 min).
    Musicians: Please provide a web link(s) to a song on a music hosting website (SoundCloud, etc.) featuring the song you wish you to license to this project.  Full albums will not be considered.

  4. Links to your social media. 

  5. Contact information including email, phone number and address. 

WORKSHOP:

All selected artists will receive a complimentary virtual workshop on May 29, 2022, from 12PM-3PM PST.   At the workshop, artists will receive lessons in augmented reality and learn what is necessary to make a triggerable animation. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions about the process. Please note attendance at the workshop is mandatory for all participating digital illustrators, animators and musicians. Not all artists will be required to stay for the entire duration of the workshop. Schedule details will be emailed closer to the date. 

TIMELINE: 

The following is the proposed production schedule for this project. Please note, notice will be given if these dates change. 

May 15, 2022 Deadline for Artist Application 
May 24, 2022 Artists Receive Confirmation 
May 29, 2022 (12PM - 3PM PST) Augmented Reality Mural Workshop (via Zoom) 
June 4,  2022 Rendering & Storyboard Submission Deadline 
June 5-6, 2022 Rendering & Storyboard Approval 
June 7- 11, 2022 Digital illustration Creation 
June 11, 2022 Digital illustration Sent to Animator
June 11-15, 20212 Animation Creation 
June 15, 2022 Animation, Image & Copy Submitted 
June 22-24, 2022 Artwork Install  
June 25-30, 2022 Troubleshooting 
July 1, 2022 Festival Launch 
September 6, 2022 Festival Closing 

COMPENSATION:

Animator: $50 for completing a storyboard of your animation. Thereafter, the all-inclusive animation artist fee will be $700. These fees cover the cost of creating a 10 to 15-second long animation with sound provided by the Musician. The animation must be loopable. Fees will be paid out after the animation is completed and successfully launched using augmented reality. Artists must submit an invoice for their fees.

Digital illustrator: $50 for completing a rendering of your image. Thereafter, the all-inclusive Digital illustration fee will be $700. This fee covers the cost for designing a 48” x 48” digital high-resolution image. Printing management & costs will be covered by the event producers. Fees will be paid out after the image is completed and contingent on creating an image that works with augmented reality technology. Artists must submit an invoice for their fees.

Musician: $250 for submitting a pre-recorded music file to be used in conjunction with the animation. Files should be no longer than 5 minutes. Fees will be paid out after the completion of a successful image and contingent on the artist team completing 1 augmented reality image. Artists must submit an invoice for their fees.

DEADLINE TO APPLY:

Submissions close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, May 15, 2022 Selected artists will be notified by Tuesday, May 24, 2022, to sign contracts receive further information on workshop time and details. 

QUESTIONS:

If you have any further questions please contact Larissa Schuler, Project Coordinator MAUD Collective, at larissa@maudcollective.com

MAUD Collective is dedicated to creative culture, experiences and placemaking. Using engagement as the main driver, MAUD fosters a creative community through its commitment to supporting, compensating and providing development opportunities to local artists while engaging them in local experiences with technology and place. They are the developers behind the augmented reality app, AUGLE. For more information please visit www.maudcollective.com 

The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of our creative community. Since 1989, the Alternator has shown the work of emerging Canadian artists and helped develop the talents of local artists by providing a network of collaboration and sharing. We foster energetic, creative, critical discussion on art & culture. We believe in the greater positive potential of our creative community and value our role as key contributors to the cultural life of Kelowna and beyond.


Kelowna Art Gallery is located in the heart of Kelowna’s Cultural District in downtown Kelowna, BC. We offer visitors the opportunity to explore changing exhibitions of both historical and contemporary Canadian art in our four gallery spaces, including an outdoor courtyard area. The gallery hosts a number of events throughout the year, including artist’s talks, lectures, and panel discussions, fundraisers, community projects, and other special events.

Earlier Event: April 8
Myrna Button // Upon Reflection
Later Event: May 6
Pip Dryden // I Make My Bed