Proposal Guidelines

It is free to apply to present at Open Engagement 2018 using our Call for Proposals. Please read these guidelines BEFORE starting your application.

Deadline:
The 2018 Call for Proposals will close at 11:59PM PST on Tuesday, October 31st, 2017.
There will be no extensions granted.

Funding:
Open Engagement currently has no funding for applicant’s projects, applicant’s travel, or applicant’s incurred expenses. We apologize for this, as it is not our preference. We can support artists with accepted proposals via statements of support for grant writing and departmental funding requests. Presenters are not charged to attend the conference.

Using the Call for Proposals online application:
– The proposal form does not save in-progress applications. We highly recommend that you prepare your responses using a separate word processing application, then copy and paste your responses into the submission form fields.
– Please watch your character count.
– Please write in the third person. Descriptions and bios are being collected for the selection process as well as, if selected, for publication.
– Each proposal will be limited to one category.
– Each proposal will have the option to be open to various session types within that category – for example submitting a workshop proposal that you would like considered for either a 45-minute session or a 90-minute session.
– Collective proposals are welcomed. Each proposal will be submitted under the name of one contact person and this will be main point of contact for all further communication.
– It is optional to submit up to three pieces of support material for each proposal. These three pieces of support material can come in the form of images (0.5–1.0MB max) and/or 60-second video or sound clips sent as links to Youtube, Vimeo or Soundcloud.

Proposal Categories:
Each proposal must be identified in one of the following categories: SUSTAINABILITY, Open Platform, or Continuing OE. Please read below for more information about each category so that you may select the one that best suits your proposal. 

SUSTAINABILITY
We are seeking proposals for programming that address our primary theme for 2018: SUSTAINABILITY. In past years, thematic programming has included myriad discussions, workshops, interventions, projects, panels, installations, and activities that have addressed the theme in practice and/or in theory.

Open Platform
Open Platform consists of 10-minute presentations followed by 5-minutes of Q&A with the audience. This line of programming will be located in an open central space in order for conference goers and non-conference goers alike to drop in and out at their leisure throughout the weekend. Open Platform is designed to facilitate open dialogue and the sharing of many ideas, strategies, projects, actions, and efforts within the field.

Continuing OE
This line of programming explores pertinent issues surrounding socially engaged art. Applicants to Continuing OE do not need to specifically address this year’s theme of SUSTAINABILITY. Continuing OE creates a space at the conference to further the dialogue around teaching, supporting, and disseminating socially engaged art. In past years at the conference this has taken the form of summits on education for socially engaged art, workshops and panels on community art, curating, and funding, as well as public conversations bringing together museum professionals working in public engagement and social practice. Continuing OE programming creates a space for educators, practitioners, administrators, institutions, funders, and organizations to develop their practices, share skills and knowledge, and further dialogue.

Proposal Length & Type
You may propose the following kinds of programming under the SUSTAINABILITY or Continuing OE categories: 
Panel — a small group of people (6 maximum – including moderator) brought together to discuss, investigate, or debate a particular subject; 90 minutes
Workshop — hands-on activity or discussion; 45 or 90 minutes
Presentation — an informative talk about a particular subject or project; 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes (If your discussion is less than 90 minutes, the OE curators will pair sessions to share 90 minute time slots.)
Project — original project created for Open Engagement; can include performances, tours, installations, and more; can be proposed for a specific timeslot, part or full day, or for the full length of the conference. 

Site-Specific Proposals
We are accepting site-specific proposals to take place inside of Queen Museum’s Panorama of the City of New York or the Relief Map of the New York City Water Supply. All Open Platforms proposals will take place inside of the Atrium at Queens Museum. If your proposal does not specify an exact location, the OE team will program your contribution in the space that is most appropriate. 

Selection Process
Proposals received through the open call are reviewed by volunteer Selection Committees comprised of local and national partners, artists, activists, students, community members and scholars. The proposals selected for inclusion by the committees are then carried forward by the small group of people that make up the core OE team.

Applicants will be notified of the status of their proposal by January 2018.

Questions?
Please see the Open Engagement FAQ
Email us at