With the aim of including the creative community in the development of significant, innovative and appealing projects, the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership (PQDS) is pleased to launch an all-new initiative as part of its video projections program.
Less than a year ago, the PQDS equipped itself with lasers for presenting its video projection programming on the façades of the Wilder Building — Espace danse, the Pavillon Président-Kennedy at UQAM, the Grande Bibliothèque and the walls outside Saint-Laurent metro station. In addition, the new refrigerated skating rink on Esplanade Tranquille is equipped with an all-new interactive projection system for the ice surface. The PQDS seeks to put this equipment at the disposal of Montreal’s creative community and is now soliciting promising and inspiring ideas to be implemented in collaboration with other stakeholders.
At the conclusion of this idea-development competition (PHASE 1), three $5000 grants will be awarded to three finalist teams to fund the development of a complete and detailed project book (PHASE 2) that will serve as the basis for a funding process led by the PQDS and, finally, a production (PHASE 3).
The PQDS is also interested in building relationships with new talent in digital art and related fields. To that end, the PQDS is proud to collaborate with the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) in offering a professional experience program for students, with a view to promoting the advancement of knowledge and competitiveness in the creative industries.
Who this call is for: Companies, professional artists and artists’ collectives working in digital art, visual arts and video projection.
Collaboration with UQAM: Proposals must include an element of professional integration or work experience for one or two UQAM students in an appropriate program for PHASE 3 of the project (production).
With this call for concepts, the PQDS seeks above all to select creative teams based on applications and core ideas that will be, after awarding of the grant, developed into a full project book that will enable the PQDS to undertake a funding process for its production.
SELECTION CRITERIA
At the conclusion of the first phase, the jury will select three ideas/proposals that:
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Account for the urban context of the site
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Are grounded in the current social and cultural context
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Have a strong theme
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Are innovative and original in a technical, conceptual and/or aesthetic sense
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Are interactive or contemplative
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Are part of a series (multiple projection surfaces) or intended for a single surface
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Include a role for one or two UQAM students in PHASE 3 (production)
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
CALENDAR
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PHASE 1 launch — Call for concepts: December 1, 2022
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Submission of PHASE 1 documents: February 3, 2023
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Announcement of the 3 winners of a $5,000 project development grant: February 24, 2023
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PHASE 2 launch — Information meeting with the three Phase 1 winners: March 7, 2023
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Submission of project books and presentations: week of May 1, 2023
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PQDS funding search: May to October, 2023
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Production and presentation of the video projection projects: later 2023/early 2024
DESCRIPTION OF THE THREE PHASES
THE CALL FOR CONCEPTS — PHASE 1
ELIGIBILITY
Companies, artists and collectives active in the digital arts, visual arts and video projection.
APPLICATION — PHASE 1
Deadline: February 3, 2023
The teams must present an application that includes all of the following elements:
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Description of the team or artist — 1 page
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Short descriptions of 2-3 representative past projects, including an explanation for the selection of these particular examples — 1 page per project
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Letter of intent from the team or company describing its motivations and interest in participating in the competition — 1 page
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Description of the team’s idea, approach and creative process — 1 page
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Description of the innovative character or originality of the idea and the technologies to be used or explored, as applicable — 1 page.
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Moodboard
SELECTION CRITERIA
Only complete applications that meet the stated requirements will be reviewed by the selection committee.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
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Sensitivity to and understanding of the project goals
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Appropriateness of the creative approach for public space
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Artistic quality
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Originality/innovation
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Relevance of the portfolio
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Experience and expertise of the team or artist
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Integration of UQAM student(s) into the production process
THE JURY
Among others, the Jury will comprise:
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A UQAM professor in a relevant discipline
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The artistic director of the PQDS
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The technical director of the PQDS
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A recognized industry professional in the digital arts
THE DESIGN — PHASE 2
After the call for concepts, three proposals will be selected based on the applications. These teams will each receive $5,000 CAD (plus applicable taxes) to deliver PHASE 2. This phase is aimed at developing the idea and a complete project book containing, among other things:
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Concept art
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Detailed project design including a complete and thorough project book for the work (final concept, storyboard, technical designs and visuals, thorough description of the user experience)
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A budget
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A schedule
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A technical rider
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The creative and production teams
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Contribution/role/profile of the UQAM student(s) to be involved
DEADLINE FOR PROJECT BOOK: MAY 1, 2023
THE PRODUCTION — PHASE 3
After the submission of the PHASE 2 project books, and if the PQDS is successful in securing sufficient funding to produce one or more of the proposals, the PHASE 1 winners will receive the funding required to produce their work in 2024.
It must be possible to complete the work within the production budget provided, including prototypes, creation, testing, any technical materials not supplied by the PQDS, assembly and disassembly (if applicable), insurance, etc. The PQDS will work with the creators on the work’s installation before and during presentation.
The paid internships or professional experience for student(s) will receive financial support from UQAM, to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
START OF PRODUCTION: from November 2023 (depending on funding details)
ABOUT QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES AND THE PARTNERSHIP
The Quartier des Spectacles is Montréal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s most concentrated and diverse group of cultural venues as well as numerous festivals and events. The Quartier also hosts innovative urban installations involving cutting-edge lighting design and immersive environments. The Quartier des Spectacles has become an international showcase for digital public art.
The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 85 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal.
