The Office of Councilman Rex Richardson is spearheading the Creative Corridor Challenge in partnership with the Uptown Business District, Arts Council for Long Beach, Squeeze Art Collective and City of Long Beach Office of Sustainability — an initiative that will improve the district through the beautification of vacant buildings, vacant lots, tree plantings, mural installations and utility box painting. Artists and videographers are invited to submit their ideas and qualifications for this exciting community initiative! There is no theme, it’s truly an open call.

Artists: Artists will be hired to design and paint murals, design and paint utility boxes and submit other artistic ideas for the improvement of vacant buildings and vacant lots. Any placemaking ideas for a vacant lot or building must be made with the basis of it being temporary and/or portable — lasting for a few months. Each artist may submit up to five entries across the five categories (for example, one in each category or five mural ideas). Submissions will be considered by the Office of Councilman Rex Richardson and the partners listed above. A team of community volunteers will be able to help each artist with their project.

Videographers: One videographer will be hired to document this project from start to finish, which includes: interviewing artists, residents and others involved in this project; capturing the improvements in-progress, such as tree plantings and mural paintings; and any artistic vision for this effort the videographer might suggest. The videographer is responsible for delivering a finished product, including the editing and score.

Project Timeline:
• October: Walls, boxes, lots and other spaces identified for improvement
• December: Artists chosen and matched with identified spaces
• January–May: Project execution

Eligibility: Strong preference given to Long Beach residents or those with a connection to Long Beach. Special consideration also given to those with a connection to North Long Beach, whether current or past.

Submissions due: November 22, 2015, 11:59 p.m.
Visit http://www.squeezeart.com/artist-calls/ to submit an application today.