STRANGE CREATURES COMMISSION

“Strange Creatures” is inspired by the diversity on planet earth, the weird and wonderful creatures that emerge from the undergrowth, evolving in response to the challenges and bounties of their own particular environment. One freak natural event, one chance mutation, leads to the evolution of some unique and unusual lifeforms. In homage to the weirdness, wonderfulness and endless possibilities of planet earth, Inishowen Carnival are creating some exotic creatures of their own, fierce and furry, winged, spiky and gnarly, evolved on some fictitious undiscovered island on a planet bursting with uniqueness and life.  

Inishowen Carnival invite submission of proposals from artists of varying levels of experience to create character costume and sculpture (including animated character props) on the theme of STRANGE CREATURES. Sculptures could be strange creature characters or could be strange plants or structures helping create the landscape within which our strange creatures might live.

Work produced will be showcased at CULTURE NIGHT, LETTERKENNY on Friday 22nd SEPTEMBER 2023 and at CARNDONAGH HALLOWEEN PARADE on SUNDAY  29th October 2023.

A limited number of commissions are available under the following headings:

NEW COMMISSION
Inishowen Carnival welcome submissions for the creation of character costumes or small scale sculptural work (including animated sculpture) for parade or sculpture trail.

Inishowen Carnival will provide 

·       a maximum total fee ranging from €1500 (costume) to €3000 (animated prop), includes all artist fees and materials.

·       Mentoring by our experienced team to ensure all work produced meets artistic goals and health and safety requirements of the project.

·       access to our workshop space and equipment at Strandhead, Malin.

·       all transport and performance fees related to performance at events.

EXISTING WORK: We would also be delighted to hear from artists who have existing work which they think would suit a parade or sculpture trail on the theme of “Strange Creatures”. Inishowen Carnival will cover all transport, set up and performance/hire fees for events.

REQUIREMENTS
All work will be made with outdoor presentation/ performance in mind.

A decent level of weatherproofness is essential (able to withstand wet weather without paint running or surfaces disintegrating, stable in all but the most extreme of wind conditions)

All work should be suitable for presentation to a family audience.

We expect that all work will be smaller than 8ft tall x 8ft wide.

All work must be original designs (No Movie/Game Reproductions)

Proposals should be brief and include: 

·       Name, address, date of birth and contact number

·       Whether you are applying for NEW COMMISSION and/or EXISTING WORK

·       Ideally no more than 2 x A4 pages including written description and preliminary drawings of the work/idea that you would like to undertake. (only basic doodles/sketches required) and a rough budget including number of hours work and likely materials needed.

·       a BRIEF CV detailing experience

·       photographs of “EXISTING WORK” if applying under this heading with associated daily hire costs including transport, set up and dismantling at event.

SUBMISSIONS should be forwarded to: inishowencarnival@hotmail.com no later than 30th June 2023.

Inishowen Carnival believe in equal opportunities for all and aim to ensure that no volunteer, artist or member of the public interacting with our projects are discriminated against on the basis of gender, family status, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, age or cultural background.

Should you have any special requirements for participation in this project please make us aware of these in your proposal and we will endeavour to ensure that we provide a welcoming environment to support your participation in this project.

This project has been made possible by funding from Arts Council of Ireland Arts Grants.

The Culture Night Event is supported by Donegal County Council, Carndonagh Halloween Parade is funded by Carndonagh Traders Association.