Port Discovery Children’s Museum
“ArtWay” Call For Submissions
Port Discovery Children’s Museum Mission Statement
To connect purposeful play and learning
History
The original Baltimore Children’s Museum was a Baltimore City agency founded in 1976 and was originally
housed in the Cloisters, a beautiful historic property located in Baltimore County. The property and structure
were generously donated to the City and the Museum operated out of this location for nearly 20 years.
In 1990, the Baltimore Children’s Museum formed its own 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and merged with
the Maryland Children’s Museum. The merged entity’s Board of Directors, with the support and
encouragement of Baltimore’s Mayor Kurt Schmoke, decided that an Inner Harbor presence was necessary to
reach the broadest possible audience of children and families in the Baltimore region, the state of Maryland
and the United States.
A 35-million dollar capital campaign, led by the Board of Directors, resulted in the renovation of Downtown’s
historic Fish Market building, which became the new home to Port Discovery Children’s Museum in December
1998. The 80,000 square foot facility served as the anchor for the redevelopment efforts of the City in the
eastern basin of the Inner Harbor.
In its short history, Port Discovery Children’s Museum has served over 2.9 million visitors and was ranked one
of the Top 12 Children’s Museums in the United States by Forbes in 2012.
ArtWay Program Description
In recognition of Baltimore’s art renaissance, Port Discovery Children’s Museum is excited to announce a new
opportunity for our artists. ArtWay is a call to Maryland’s visual artists ready and willing to transform our
interactive entry space at Port Discovery Children’s Museum with your work.
Beginning this spring, Port Discovery will select one artist annually to create a robust, new installation to
impact our guests’ first impression of the Museum.
Port Discovery’s entry space (pictured below) is 1080 square feet, with an open grid, dropped ceiling.
We are a public family oriented place. We embrace new ideas and value the creativity of our guests. The
proposed work should be durable and complement the museum experience. Quirky, whimsical, and
immersive proposals will be given priority. The piece must also allow the space to remain free flowing as
guests enter and exit the museum, be entirely new and incorporated into the facility.
ArtWay Goals
To support Baltimore’s artistic community
To render emerging artists highly visible to the public
To expose the general public to new art processes and concepts
To enhance the role of Port Discovery as a center for artist exploration for families and children.
ArtWay Eligibility
Artists with demonstrated capabilities for working on immersive, collaborative, large scale installation, and/or
interactive art works are eligible. The installation is intended to support emerging artists in their
development, although mid-career and established artists are encouraged to apply as well. To apply you must
be at least 18 years old and be a legal resident of Maryland.
ArtWay Benefits
Artists will receive up to a $2,000 dollar budget for project materials and an additional $2,000 stipend for
creating and installing their artwork. Additionally, the selected artist is required to design and participate in 3
workshops at the museum which engage guests and enhance understanding of the artists’ studio practice.
Artists receive administrative support from the Port Discovery staff, including assistance in developing works
for our audience. Artists have access to the museum and areas dedicated to exhibit/art fabrication.
Marketing and publicity for the installation
Port Discovery Children’s Museum is unable to provide for transportation, housing, etc. for any artists.
Selected Artists Must:
Complete work by the selected date. Currently, March 31st, 2013.
Remain available for trouble shooting, cosmetic restoration, and repairs. Repairs/restorations must be
completed within 24 hours of notification.
Assist in the take down of the installation at the end of the period of exhibition (approximately 6 months,
currently September 2013), removing all debris and leaving the space clean.
All parts of the proposed installation within the reach of children and adults must be robust enough to
withstand the public’s interaction.
Additional Installation Information:
Safety precautions must be adhered to within each design so that there are no head entrapments, sharp or
pointed edges, protruding or recessed surfaces that would enable a structure to be climbed on. All material
finishes must be non-toxic.
Port Discovery is not responsible for any damage caused to the work within the installation.
Any proposals that include power requirements must be approved and confirmed by PD staff.
Access for installation must occur during pre-approved and scheduled times, recognizing that work may not
take place while we are busy with the public. Most Mondays, from 8:30-6pm, are available while the museum
is closed the public.
Rights and Ownership
Port Discovery owns the artwork produced under the ArtWay agreement. The artist and museum enter into a
mutual agreement whereby the artist maintains the intellectual property of the piece and will be able to make
it available to other organizations, subject to a license agreement with Port Discovery Children’s Museum.
Depending on the nature of the work and the investment required, other agreements may be established to
protect both the museum and artist.
ArtWay Schedule
Call for Submissions
December 13, 2012
Applications & Proposals Due
5pm, January, 14th 2013
Application Review, Interviews, Artist Selection
January, 15-22nd
Announcements
January, 23rd 2013
Installation Complete
By March 31st, 2013
De-install
September, 3rd 2013
Application Process
Applications are reviewed by a committee comprised of museum staff and professional advisors to the
project.
Selection is based on:
Professional capabilities of the applicants as revealed through documentation of prior work and
work experience.
Opportunities to best match the artist and museum mission with consideration of the resources
available.
Preliminary proposal/concept for the project that best match the goals of ArtWay .
Selected finalists will be interviewed in person or by phone. A visit to the site is strongly recommended and
can be arranged through the contact information below.
Applications are submitted via regular mail and include the following material:
A. Printed Material:
1) Letter of Application which reveals an understanding of the program (600 words or less). Give consideration
to the following:
Nature of your work
Description of project that you propose.
How the resources of the museum might be used
Please indicate any specific technical or physical requirements
2) Resume
3) Short biography (150 words or less)4) References: Include the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of three professional references. Letters of recommendation should not be submitted and will
not be utilized.
5) Include a single CD (Windows OS compatible) with all of the above information as separate files in PDF
format as well as:
a. A maximum of 10 jpg files, or a PowerPoint slide show with a maximum of 10 images. Individual files
larger than 4 MB will not be opened. These images should show your concept for the installation in
the space as fully as you are able. It is highly recommended that you use the images below to illustrate
how your installation will be displayed.
b. Video, sound and animation can be submitted.
6) Documentation of Work on a second CD or DVD - Windows OS compatible, only. (Other non-compatible
formats will NOT be reviewed):
a. A maximum of 20 jpg files, or a PowerPoint slide show with a maximum of 20 images. Individual files
larger than 4 MB will not be opened. These images should showcase your past and present work.
Work that relates to your submission is highly recommended.
b. Video, sound and animation can be submitted. Provide concise printed instructions for
viewing/listening. Maximum of seven minutes will be reviewed in total.
NOTE: Web sites may be included as part of application package, but may not substitute for requested
materials.
Provide a self-addressed mailer and sufficient postage for return of all materials. Materials submitted without
postage will not be returned.
Please send all application materials to:
Port Discovery Children’s Museum
ArtWay Submission
ATTN: Magan Ruthke, Director of Guest Services
35 Market Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
Questions
Questions about this program and/or the application process must be submitted in writing via email to Magan
Ruthke, Director of Guest Services at mruthke@portdiscovery.org. Questions will only be accepted via email.
Prior museum visits are highly recommended. Email mruthke@portdiscovery.org for information.
Checklist for a Successful Application:
Letter of Application
Resume
Short Biography
References
Windows OS compatible CD with installation
concept documents, photos, drawings, etc.
2nd Disk of Work Documentation
Materials Budget
Site Visit
Various views of space to be designed:
Technical drawing of space: