The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art is currently accepting programming submissions for The Assembly, a new, thematic, online members’ exhibition project series.
Launching in May 2022, this project is an opportunity for members to exhibit their work digitally within the Alternator website.
We are currently inviting Alternator members (and prospective members) to submit work responding to the theme of ‘The Human Condition’. (‘The human condition’ includes the characteristics and key events that compose the essentials of human existence, including birth, growth, emotion, aspiration, conflict, and mortality, the meaning of life or moral concerns. It includes different perspectives that come from philosophy, history, literature, anthropology, psychology, biology, and religion.)
This is an unjuried exhibition opportunity. A maximum of 25 works will be included in the online exhibition. Submitted works that fulfill the theme will be included on a first-come, first-served basis.
What you can expect from us
As part of the Assembly, the Alternator will create an embedded section within the Alternator website to host the membership exhibition. This area will feature a curatorial essay on the theme of Sustainability, along with separate pages for each artwork included in the project.
In keeping with the Alternator’s mandate of supporting artists, those selected for participation in the project will receive a $50 honorarium. The Alternator will also host an online outreach event for the project and encourage all artists selected for inclusion to participate.
Submission Requirements:
Submitted artworks must be able to be effectively presented in the digital realm. This includes, (but is not limited to) visual art (photo or video documentation of work), coded or generative artworks video, sound, or written word (up to 1000 words).
Only works adhering to the theme of the human condition will be included in this exhibition. Artists must include a brief statement outlining how the submitted artwork addresses this theme as part of the submission process.
Each artist may only submit one artwork for inclusion in the project.
In order to participate, artists must either be a current Alternator member in good standing, or obtain an Alternator Membership on confirmation of their inclusion in the project. Submissions will only be accepted through the online submission portal.
Submissions for the Assembly will be open from April 8 2022 (11am) until the maximum capacity of 25 artworks has been reached. As this program is first-come, first served, artists are encouraged to prepare their submission in advance of the April 8th submission opening. Don’t delay in submitting your works to the Assembly, as space is limited!
Please prepare the following information before beginning your online submission:
Name, Address, Email, Phone Number of submitted
Brief artist(s) biography (maximum1 00 words) (what about collaborative works?)
Overview of the proposed artwork and how it addresses the theme (minimum 100 words).
A declaration that the submitted artwork is completed (tick box).
Artist(s) name, the title of work, medium, date of creation and original dimensions.
Links to Artist(s) website and social media profiles
Artwork Guidelines
Images:
Format: Only .jpg, .gif, or .png
Maximum File Size: 20 MB
Maximum image width: 2500 pixels
Colour mode: RGB (red, green, blue)
Video: Vimeo and YouTube links will be accepted. Please include any passwords if videos are not currently public, as required.
Audio:
Format: .mp3, .m4a or link to Soundcloud file
Bit Depth: 16bit
Bitrate: 128 kbps max (96 kbps recommended for spoken word)
Channels: Mono or Stereo
Maximum File Size: 160 MB (If your audio file is larger please use Soundcloud.)
Written: Written submissions (poetry etc) may be attached as an OCR optimized PDF file, .doc or link to Google document.
Other: We acknowledge that there are various types of artwork that may fall into other modes of experience, such as a game or an app. If you have work that requires special directions to experience it, please include screenshots as images, and then additional directions within the ‘other information’ section of the submission form.
Submitted materials must be embeddable on our website.
Diversity and Equality
We welcome submissions from under-represented artists of all backgrounds including, but not limited to, Indigenous, Black, and racialized persons; refugee, newcomer and immigrant persons; two-spirit, LGBTQ+ and gender non-binary persons, persons with diverse abilities, and those on low-incomes or living in poverty. We are committed to ensuring equitable access to our submissions process. Please contact us if you require any accommodations to participate.
FAQS
Who can submit work?
All applicants selected to exhibit work in The Assembly must be Alternator members. However, if you don’t currently have an Alternator membership but would still like to submit work for consideration, that’s okay! On acceptance of your submission, you will be prompted to complete your membership.
How do I become an Alternator member?
Becoming a member is easy and affordable. The Alternator has opportunities for both paid and volunteer memberships. (Please note: Volunteers must have completed 12 hours of volunteer work prior to registration.) For more information or to become a member, visit: https://www.alternatorcentre.com/memberships/
The Alternator fosters inclusivity regardless of social, economic or other barriers. If you want to be involved with this exhibition but there are financial or other barriers preventing you from joining in, please reach out so we can enable your participation.
Are collaborative works eligible?
Yes. Only one collaborating artist must have a membership, and only one honorarium will be paid per artwork.
Can I submit more than one artwork?
No. Each member may only submit once to each intake.
Can I submit a work in progress?
Artworks must be completed in order to be eligible. Works in progress or speculative works are not eligible.
Are there any types of work that will not be accepted?
Only original artwork created by the artist making the submission will be considered.
Content of works must be in line with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy. Works that include appropriation, hate speech and symbols will not be accepted.
Does the Alternator offer support for professional documentation?
No, the Alternator cannot currently provide support in documenting your works. However, we have identified a number of online resources that may provide some guidance in this area:
4 Steps to Photographing Your Art Like a Professional Or How To Photograph Your Art
Will phone pictures be sufficient for documentation?
Yes. Phone images can be used for documentation. Here are some videos that provide some great tips if you are using a phone camera to document your work. Please note: Photo and video documentation shot on a phone will need to adhere to the submission guidelines outlined above:
How to Photograph Art WIth Your Phone Or Photographing your 3D Art with an iPhone/Smartphone
When will I hear if my work will be included in the Assembly?
Due to the first come, first serve nature of the Assembly, we can not provide an exact date. However, you should be notified before the end of May 2022.
Besides the opening, will there be other opportunities to connect with the other participating artists or audience?
Opportunities that take place within the digital realm will be considered. For instance, if you are a video artist and are hosting an online screening of your video. However, additional honorariums will not be paid for outreach activities. If you have additional ideas for extended outreach related to the Assembly, please include details in the ‘other information’ section of the submission form.