2012 Applications

ALL artist applications must be filled out by May 1st, 2012

5 Categories are currently available, please choose accordingly: Film artists, Experimental Music artists, Visual artists, Fashion artist, and Youth artist.

**Performing Arts Applications are now closed**

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

Kansas City Fringe Festival Experimental Music Showcase at La Esquina July 27-29, 2012. Presented in collaboration with KcEMA, the Kansas City Electronic Music and Arts Alliance www.kcema.net, and Charlotte Street Foundation's Urban Culture Project www.charlottestreet.org.

La Esquina
1000 W. 25th St.
Kansas City, MO 64108

DEADLINE: Proposals must be received by May 1, 2012 to be considered for this year's festival.

Overview
Performers, composers, sound and media artists, and all others producing experimental music and sound art are invited to participate in the 2012 Experimental Music Showcase as part of the Kansas City Fringe Festival!  In recent years, Kansas City has developed a growing reputation for its vibrant new and experimental music scene.  In this year's showcase, we hope to connect local and visiting artists producing cutting-edge work with Kansas City audiences.  The 2011 Fringe Festival reached more than 14,000 audience members, so the showcase represents an outstanding opportunity for experimental musicians to reach new fans!

What is new and experimental music and sound art?
The showcase is designed to promote new and experimental music and sound art, at the fringes of standard practice.  Such music might incorporate new technologies, performance practices, aesthetics, interactivity, free improvisation, or other experimental features.  Music incorporating video projections or other media is very welcome, as is music that intersects with other forms of art.  Non-musical sound art and other forms of media involving sound are welcome, if they fit the showcase format (see below).  There are no restrictions on genre or musical style, aside from the requirement that submissions fit the new and experimental music theme of the showcase.

What is the review process?
Proposals for participation will be reviewed, in the order they are received, by a panel of musicians and artists.  The panel will determine whether each proposal fits the new and experimental music category.  Proposals approved by the panel will be accepted, in the order they are received.

What is the format of the showcase?
The format of the showcase will be 20-minute sets, organized into 3-hour concerts.  Musicians may propose to perform more than one set.  However, proposals may be limited to only one set, depending on the number of proposals received.  All scheduling decisions will be made by the festival organizers.  The stage will be shared by all performers for the concerts, with changeovers/brief intermissions scheduled as needed.  Note that the showcase format may present significant challenges to proposals requiring extensive setup and tear-down (e.g. theatrical sets).  Please consider the format requirements as you submit your proposals.

What is the venue, and what equipment will be provided?
The venue for the Experimental Music Showcase will be La Esquina, a black box/white box performance space operated by Charlotte Street Foundation through its Urban Culture Project program.  A sound reinforcement system will be provided but performers must provide any specialized equipment required, including onstage computers as needed.  The provided equipment will be staffed by KcEMA personnel and will include: 8-channel sound reinforcement system with dedicated subwoofer channel (8.1), video projection, mixing console, microphones, monitors, and a Mac computer (at the mixer) with MaxMSP and other common software.  Basic lighting will be provided, but equipment will not be available to accommodate specialized lighting requirements.

How will ticket sales work, and how will performers be paid?
Tickets for each 3-hour concert will be $10 each, and patrons must also purchase a Fringe Festival button.  The total proceeds from ticket sales for each 3-hour concert will be split equally by the sets in the concert.  Each set will receive an equal share.  The number of sets per concert may vary, depending on setup/changeover time.  For example, if a 3-hour concert contains nine 20-minute sets, the total ticket proceeds for the concert will be split into 9 equal portions.  Proceeds from the sales of Fringe Festival buttons go to support the festival.

How do I submit a proposal?
Submit proposals using the online submissions form (link above).  You will need to provide an appropriate demo of your work (audio or video).  You must place this demo online and provide us a link to view it online.  Soundcloud, Vimeo, YouTube, and many other streaming services are available, free, and easy to use.  Demo materials streamed from your own website are also welcome.  Please note: the festival will NOT accept demo materials via YouSendIt, Dropbox, email, or other services that require us to download the file.  In the submission form, you must provide us a link to the file.  In the review process, panelists will simply click that link to view or listen to the file as streaming video or audio.  If the link does not work, the proposal will not be accepted.  It is your responsibility to ensure that the link will work correctly and remain available at least until the festival schedule has been set and announced.