Are you an artist with a strong connection to water? Do you want to inspire others through your art to appreciate and protect the health of the waters we share? Consider joining Art for Water!
**The Art for Water track of the MWS program is only open to certain geographies at this time. Only residents of Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, Rice Creek Watershed District, and Rochester may apply. **
Learn more and apply below!
Freshwater collaborates with partner organizations on this artist-focused initiative based on the Minnesota Water Stewards (MWS) program developed by Freshwater in 2013. Current partners include Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, Rice Creek Watershed District, and the City of Rochester.
Goals:
To engage artists of all mediums around the pillars of the MWS program: water science, outreach to community members for behavior change, and making the land/water connection.
To equip artists to use their art as outreach tools to inspire others to make changes in their behavior that benefit the health of our waters.
The program:
Artists accepted into the program will attend virtual workshops for orientation, discussion, and guided practice sessions and participate in an online course to gain deeper knowledge of water science.
After coursework is complete, artists will design and implement a public art project/performance that inspires behavior change related to water health.
Requirements:
Applicants must be working artists at any level of experience, with an interest in water.
Ideal candidates will have experience with public art.
Artists must be residents of Hennepin County, Rice Creek Watershed District, or the City of Rochester and art must be created/performed within that jurisdiction. If you do not live in one of these areas, watch for expansion of this opportunity in the future.
To maintain certification, artists are asked to continue their work for water by dedicating approximately 50 volunteer hours during the first year, and 25 hours each additional year.
Applicants must attend an information session.
Applicants must complete and submit an application that outlines their interest and experience in connecting people to water issues through art.
Important dates:
Welcome and Kickoff Workshop:
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
6:00-7:30 pm
Working in Community Springboard for the Arts Virtual Workshop:
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
5:00-6:30 pm
In-person Tour of Springboard facilities and services:
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Time TBA
Online learning and partner organization check ins:
Monthly, February through April
Next Steps Workshop:
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
6:00-7:30 pm
In October 2024 at the annual Confluence of Stewards, we will celebrate certification and have the opportunity to feature artists' work.
Compensation:
Artists accepted into the program will receive a stipend to cover initial training sessions and needed materials.
To apply:
Complete the application below. After submission, you will be contacted by your local partner organization staff to set up an interview.
Questions? Contact Alex Van Loh