Announcing 2010 Dave McKay Parade Grants!

Award Amounts: $300 – $1,000   

Deadline: Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 5 p.m.

The Dave McKay Parade Grant program supports the development of art and performance for the Fremont Solstice Parade. In 2010, the Fremont Arts Council will award grants up to $1,000 from a total pool of $4,500. 

Dave McKay was a celebration artist who brought his master costume-design skills, thoughtful intention, and deep attention to detail and craftsmanship to all his art, especially in his work with the Fremont Solstice Parade and Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration. He believed art and art-making should be a part of everyone’s life.  The primary goal of the Dave McKay Parade Grant is to honor his memory by supporting artists in their efforts to bring engaging art to the parade and enhancing the spirit of creative community collaboration.   

The Fremont Arts Council (FAC) is a community-based celebration arts organization. We value volunteer-ism; community participation; artistic expression; and the sharing of arts skills. The Fremont Solstice Parade is the defining event of the FAC.  We celebrate the longest day of the year through profound street theater, public spectacle, and a kaleidoscope of joyous human expressions.  We welcome the participation of everyone regardless of who they are, or what they think or believe. However, The FAC reserves the right to control the content presented in the Fremont Solstice Parade.  The rules of the Fremont Solstice Parade, which make this event distinct from other types of parades, are:

 ·        No written or printed words or logos

 ·        No animals (except guide dogs and service animals)

·        No motorized vehicles (except wheelchairs)

·        No weapons 

Grant Funds:Grant funds may be used for artists’ fees, materials and supplies, equipment purchase or rental, travel and transportation. Existing artwork can be re-mounted for parade exhibition. Grant funds can NOT be used to stage fundraising events; for project expenses that occur prior to or after the project dates; or for operating costs not directly associated with the parade project. FAC most often funds proposals from artists for the development of parade ensembles.  Proposals for parade-related art installations (Gasworks park, gateways, etc.,) and other crazy ideas we have yet to dream of are also accepted for funding consideration. 

Selection:Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of FAC members and Solstice Parade Staff. This is a competitive process and, unfortunately, not every applicant will receive funding. Special consideration will be given to:

§  Creating the project in our public workshop

§  Large-scale projects that use the 360 degree space of the street theater

§  Use of recycled materials

§  Directly engaging the audience along the parade route

§  Kinetic movement   

§  Thought-provoking and innovative ensembles