***The Call for Proposals has ended for 2016. A big thank you to all of our submitting artists!
Artist Information:
FIGMENT’s theme for the 2016 Minigolf Course is “Mini is the New Big.” Historically, FIGMENT’s minigolf themes have drawn inspiration from places, past and present events, or modern vernacular. Aesthetics are always important to the pleasure participants derive from the course, however, they often play second fiddle to artistic interpretation of the concepts. Since Minigolf course designers normally shrink common structures such as windmills, buildings, bridges, etc, with this year’s FIGMENT Mini Golf theme we ask artists to do the opposite: to create BIG versions of small objects to celebrate form over commentary. Proposal ideas should incorporate clever playability within an every day object. Think Claes Oldenburg, Florentijn Hofmanor, Jeff Koons, Honey I Shrunk the Kids (though please be sure not to use any proprietary, copyrighted, or trademarked symbols or characters in your proposal).
In addition to reimbursing expenses to build and install your hole, FIGMENT offers a stipend of $250 to each submitting artist whose proposed minigolf hole design is selected for the course, installed and deinstalled on time on Governors Island, and survives in fully operable condition until the end of the season.
Proposal Criteria
A jury will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria: creativity and innovation, durability, playability, feasibility, adherence to theme, budget, and community involvement.
Creativity and Innovation: Your piece should be visually stunning and wildly innovative. We’re looking for awesomeness here.
Durability: Your piece must be able to withstand use by many thousands of players of all ages and sizes, as well as four months’ worth of exposure to the elements on an island in the middle of New York harbor. Please plan for water, wind, and significant wear and tear.
Playability: Minigolf should be fun, not frustrating. This is a par 3 course: please design a hole that you can sink consistently in 2-5 putts.
Feasibility: Please note that you will be responsible for the design, construction, maintenance, installation, and de-installation of your piece. All holes will be installed on Governors Island during the week of May 26th – 29th, and the weekend of May 30th – 31st (dates to be confirmed). Holes must be designed to be disassembled. The course will close for the year on Friday, August 26th. De-installation will occur the weekend of August 27th-28th (dates to be confirmed).
Adherence to Theme: The theme for this course is “Mini is the New Big.” Please interpret this theme boldly--as conceptually or as literally as you please.
Budget: Please include a detailed budget for your costs in building and installing your hole. Please note that this budget should be for material costs and expenses only.
Community Involvement: FIGMENT is a large-scale participatory arts project that is created by a large community of volunteers. We encourage submissions that involve community participation in their conception and execution. In addition, we ask all artists to volunteer to work a minimum of two full days at the Minigolf Course over the summer.
To Submit a Proposal:
Deadline: 11:59 pm ET on March 1, 2016
Download the submission packet.
Follow this link to download the full submission packet that includes these instructions, a Minigolf Artist Tips guide for building durable, sustainable minigolf holes, and some reference images of previous projects. Proposing artists who do not consider provided building guidelines may be disqualified.
Submit your minigolf proposal by March 1, 2016 (11:59 ET). Please email your proposal to [email protected] with the following 6 things in one PDF document:
- Your name, address, email, and best phone number to reach you
- 1-3 artistic sketches of your proposed piece
- 1-3 sketches of the hole’s structural system
- Brief (100-500 words) description of how your artistic vision for your hole serves the theme of “Mini is the New Big.”
- Brief construction/installation plan: Where will you build your piece? What resources do you need, or hope to share, to build and install the piece?
- Budget for materials and expenses: Artists will be reimbursed for materials purchased up to a certain amount yet to be determined, pending fundraising for this project. Last year, all holes were built for under $1000 and we received enough funding through grants and donations to reimburse all artists in full for materials costs and construction expenses. Any materials costs above budget are the responsibility of the artist. FIGMENT will try to work with artists to keep the budget under $1000.
Please submit your proposed design by March 1, 2016, at 11:59 pm ET. Questions should be directed to [email protected].