We’re looking for an artist to be a major part of our annual Art Car Weekend!

 The Kentucky Museum of Arts + Design has a big baby blue station wagon that needs to be transformed into an art car by the end of July in time for our annual Art Car Weekend in early August, and we’re hosting a competition to find an artist in the Louisville/southern Indiana area to do the job.  (We hope you decide to apply, but if not, please pass this information on to anyone who might be interested!)

 Does the chosen artist receive a fee?  YES!

 The artist chosen to do this project will be paid a $2000 stipend.  Car must be completed to KMA+D’s satisfaction before stipend will be paid.   

What is KMA+D’s annual Art Car Weekend?

 The third annual KMA+D Art Car Weekend will take place August 6-7, 2004.  Art car artists from across the country will converge on the 700 block of West Main St. where their cars will be on display Friday afternoon and evening and Saturday morning.  Friday evening car artists will be available to talk with visitors about their cars, and some will have original works of art available for sale.  This will coincide with the first Friday gallery hop in downtown Louisville.  Saturday morning the car artists and their cars will be back on Main Street, where a special workshop related to art cars will take place in front of KMA+D.  Around noon, the art cars will embark on a festive parade from downtown out Bardstown Road through part of the Highlands. 

 (KMA+D’s Art Car Weekend is just one of many art car events across the country throughout the year.  The art car phenomenon is gaining popularity all the time!)

 How will the winning artist participate in the Art Car Weekend?

 The finished car will be parked on Main Street in front of KMA+D throughout Art Car Weekend, August 6-7, 2004.  The winning artist will be asked to be with the car as much as possible during that time to talk with visitors about the car.  The winning artist will be invited to drive the completed car in the art car parade on Saturday, August 7, 2004, and the artist will be included in publicity for Art Car Weekend.  Also artist’s name and a photo of the finished car will be featured on the t-shirts and bumper stickers for the 2005 Art Car Weekend. 

 What is an art car?

 In a nutshell an art car is a working car that has been transformed into a work of art in any way imaginable.  The possibilities are endless.  The only requirement is that the car must remain roadworthy and functional.  A major point of the art car phenomenon is that the cars are works of art that can be driven, thus taking original art to the streets.    

  What is this competition?

 A generous patron donated a 1985 Ford LTD station wagon (yes, it’s big!) for KMA+D to turn into an art car.  We want to “hire” an artist to turn this automotive gem into a spectacular work of art, a road-worthy piece of sculpture so to speak.  We’re inviting artists to submit proposals for doing just that.  Proposals must include:

• Artist’s resume.
• Drawing of proposed original design on car outline provided by KMA+D.  (See our website at www.kentuckyarts.org to download and print a copy of the sketch of the car.  Or call Karen Welch at 502-589-0102 to have a copy mailed to you.)
• A few paragraphs clearly describing overall plan for the car.
• Details on the materials to be used on the car and how materials will be applied or attached to the car.  (All materials used have to withstand exposure to the elements, and the car must remain roadworthy and drivable.)
• Proposed location for working on the car.  (Currently KMA+D does not have a place for the artist to work on the car.  Artist must explain in detail where the car would be kept while it is under transformation.)

  Who owns the car throughout this process?

 KMA+D retains ownership of the car, and any objects attached to it, throughout this project and after its completion.  The artist does not own the car at any time.  

  What about proof of insurance and driver’s license?

 The winning artist must provide a valid driver’s license and proof of full coverage auto insurance before taking the car to work on.  KMA+D will make copies of these two documents and keep them on file.  

 Can the artist drive the car for personal transportation?

 NO, NO, NO.  The artist may drive the car only to the location where work on it will take place and back to KMA+D.  Any unauthorized use of the car will result in the artist being disqualified from completing the project as well as from receiving stipend.   KMA+D will check mileage before releasing the car to the artist and again when the car is returned.

  What is the proposal deadline and where should proposals be sent?

 KMA+D must receive all proposals by March 22, 2004.  Proposals should be sent to: Karen Welch KMA+D 715 W. Main St. Louisville, KY  40202

 All proposals become the property of KMA+D; paperwork will not be returned to artists not selected.

 When will the winner be notified?

 The winner will be notified by March 29, 2004.

 When does the car have to be finished?

 The car must be completed and returned to KMA+D by July 26, 2004.  Failure to meet the deadline will result in forfeiture of stipend.

  Where should I look for more information and pictures of art cars?

 For more information on KMA+D and this competition, please contact Karen Welch at 502-589-0102 or karenwelch@kentuckyarts.org

 There are numerous websites, books and videos about art cars.  Here are just a few:

Driving the Dream, a film by Harrod Blank

Wild Wheels, a film by Harrod Blank

Kentucky Art Car Weekend 2002, a film by Dan Wellens

Wild Wheels, book by Harrod Blank

Art Cars: The Cars, the Artists, the Obsession, the Craft, book by Harrod Blank

www.artcars.com

www.avam.org/artcar/index

www.geocities.com/artcars