LAN Initiative 1
Starting April 13, 2020, the Louisville Arts Network (LAN) began offering micro-commissions for artists working in all media, ages 18 and up, who lived in the greater Louisville area. LAN wanted to present a variety of projects including visual, performing, and written works that defined the diversity of our great community of Louisville. LAN strived to be inclusive with our selections and placed the utmost importance on creating healthy, vibrant connections. We encouraged artists to explore subject matter connected to the climate of our day but welcomed submissions exploring any theme or subject matter that followed our guidelines below.
Selected artists received a $150 or $200 honorarium for their participation in this project through the creation of an original, new work within three (3) days of acceptance of their proposal by the LAN Selection Committee. The works were published as part of Lift Up Lou’s Arts and Entertainment program and presented through social media at 3 pm ET daily through mid-August. We encouraged artists to have fun with this project and hoped that the quick turnaround would stimulate and inspire creativity. We were looking for connection, not perfection!
As of Friday, May 15, 2020 we stopped accepting new applications.
As we look back at all the projects, we see a collective desire to connect with and help others through art. Our artists used creative expression as a method of observing and understanding something completely out of the ordinary: a global pandemic. They organized complex thoughts and feelings and asked questions. They found ways to create comfort and peace. They stepped up to document our times and to give meaning to the unexplainable.
Many artists confronted fears or looked for joy in the little things. Some encouraged health guidelines or stressed the importance of getting through it together. Other artists created homages to their home city of Louisville, finding inspiration in the city lights or neighborhood parks. This wonderful group worked with limitations, made the best of things, and created a collection of works that will continue to uplift for a long time to come.
Slide Images by
LAN Initiative 1 Artists
Noah Barker, Noisebody, Still Life (Video still), Composition for Piano, 2 minutes, 31 seconds, 2020
Cara Hinh, FACE, Digital visual art, 17 x 11 in., 2020
Taylor Sanders, Empty Stomachs, Installation detail, Brown paper bags, 18 ft x 4 ft x 11 in., 2020
Mallory Fite, Be Well (at Home), Digital collage, 16 x 25 in., 2020
All 122 projects are presented here on our website.
You can also see the work on our Instagram and through Lift Up Lou on Facebook.
One Year Anniversary Celebration Video
On April 13, 2021 we celebrated our One-Year Anniversary. We are so proud of our artists and loved sharing their work with the Louisville community in the spring and summer, and then all through the year. To mark the occasion we worked with LouArtsNetwork artist Mike Elsherif of Clovehitch Productions to create a special video that features clips of all 120 projects. Many thanks to Mike and his Clovehitch partner, JohnBen Lacy. We also want to thank our partners Kentucky Performing Arts and Lift Up Lou, our Initiative 1 Committee, and all our amazing artists.
Submission Criteria, LAN Initiative 1
Artists (ages 18 and up) of all media and genres are encouraged to apply including, but not limited to: painting, printmaking, illustration/drawing, sculpture, installation, glass, fiber, clay, metalwork, functional art/craft, photography, digital/new genre, music, dance/choreography, poetry/writing, performance art, film/video. Proposals may include multiple disciplines.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. One selected piece will be featured each day by Lift Up Lou and through social media at 3 pm ET.
Artists must be a resident of Louisville, to be defined by having a ZIP code within Jefferson County.
Artists are eligible to submit for one micro-commission. Each submission must include only one proposal for one piece. Appearing as a collaborator on multiple projects is allowed.
All work submitted must be original, new work, never before published or distributed, unsold, and created within three (3) days following the receipt of acceptance letter. The artist must own the sole copyright to the artwork. Any copyright infringement is the sole responsibility of the artist. Works that clearly use copyrighted material will not be considered.
All submissions must adhere to current social distancing policies as outlined by Louisville Metro Government, the state of Kentucky, and the Federal Government.
Work that is racist, sexist, homophobic, violent, pornographic, and/or includes vulgarity will not be considered. Work must be suitable for all members of the community.
Each selected artist or group will receive a $150 honorarium for a micro-commission to be paid the Thursday following the publication schedule date being set by Lift Up Lou.
Some artists or groups will be selected to present or perform their original work on Facebook Live with Lift Up Lou’s scheduled programming. They will receive an additional honorarium of $50. Please note: not all accepted artists will be selected to talk or perform on Facebook Live.
Artist agrees that the original work created for Louisville Arts Network will not be displayed, exhibited or shown in other galleries or platforms (online or physically) prior to or on the scheduled publishing date with Lift Up Lou.
The artist retains ownership of all artwork on loan to Louisville Arts Network. Artists will retain copyrights to artwork in perpetuity, as governed by law. Any and all images provided by the artist to Louisville Arts Network can be used by LAN for promotional purposes (online and/or in print).
Notifications will be sent via email within two weeks of submission.
For additional information, please contact us via email at info@louisvilleartsnetwork.org.
LAN Initiative 1 Committee
Teddy Abrams | Jecorey Arthur | Alissa Brody | Owsley Brown III | Robert Curran
Ryan Daly | Ed Hamilton | Mo McKnight Howe | Joyce Ogden | Will Oldham | Dean Otto
Erin Palmer | Teresa Reed | Moira Scott Payne | Albert Shumake | Amy Tavern
Partners
Kentucky Performing Arts is proud to serve as the fiscal sponsor for the Louisville Artist Network.
The Louisville Arts Network is teaming up with Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer’s Lift Up Louisville initiative, designed to keep our spirits up during the fight against COVID-19 by: staying connected; engaging in fun activities; being compassionate and creative; eating healthy and exercising; learning new skills; reducing stress.
Follow their social media links below to find out more about their programing.