OPEN CALL FOR ARTIST DESIGNED MINI GOLF COURSE HOLES - Daniel Stowe ...

OPEN CALL FOR
ARTIST DESIGNED MINI GOLF COURSE HOLES
                    DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: Monday, January 4, 2017

EXHIBITION DATES
May 26 — September 2, 2018

LOCATION
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

DESCRIPTION
Mini Golf at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (DSBG) blends art, horticulture, architecture, environmentalism,
and family fun into a playful 18-hole mini golf course set within the beauty of the DSBG. In keeping with our
informal organizational theme for the year, the course will celebrate insects and animals that are pollinators
and the plants, crops, and fruits that are dependent on pollinators.
The holes will be designed, built and installed by local and regional artists, architects and, designers selected
from this open call. The intent of this project is to:

       Present a playful, one-of-a-kind exhibition of interactive artworks by local, regional, and national
        artists;
       Create a unique, destination attraction to drive attendance, membership and revenue;
       Offer an attractive rental and event option during the run of the exhibition; and
       Enliven spaces at DSBG while creating fun, family-friendly experiences.

THEME
The theme of the course is Pollinators, including, but not limited to, insects and animals that pollinate plants,
and the plants, fruits, crops, and products derived therefrom that are dependent on these pollinators.
Submissions are encouraged to be creative and incorporate the theme in any manner appropriate for their
proposal.
According to the USDA Forest Service, pollinators are responsible for assisting over 80% of the world's
flowering plants. Without them, humans and wildlife wouldn't have much to eat or look at! In fact, nearly 1/3
of all foods that humans enjoy need pollinators in some way. These products include many fruits like apples
and oranges, but also less obvious pollinator-dependent plant-based products like tequila. Animals that assist
plants in their reproduction as pollinators include species of ants, bats, bees, beetles, birds, butterflies, flies,
moths, wasps, as well as other unusual animals.
The Xerces Society states that fruits and seeds derived from insect pollination are a major part of the diet of
approximately 25% of all birds, and of mammals ranging from red-backed voles to grizzly bears. In many
places, the essential service of pollination is at risk from habitat loss, pesticide use, and introduced diseases.

ELIGIBILITY
Entrants may include artists, architects, engineers, landscape architects, furniture designers, or related design
or engineering fields, including students or groups of the above, based anywhere in the United States.
Fabrication experience is beneficial.

SUBMISSIONS
Submissions will be accepted from either individual artists or teams. Collaborations are encouraged.
Individuals or teams may submit more than one entry, but each design proposal requires a separate
submission. Impress us with designs that are whimsical, playable, interesting, and beautiful.

SELECTION PROCESS
Proposals will be selected for inclusion in the Mini Golf course by a team which may consist of curators,
designers, museum professionals, community members, and architects based upon the following criteria:
        Concept           This includes originality of the design and relationship to the "Pollinators" theme.
        Playability       Each proposal will be evaluated for appropriate balance between challenge and fun
                          for players.
        Safety            Each hole must be safe for play by all ages and not present any hazards that could
                          harm public participants at every level of ability. To the extent possible, holes
                          should be ADA accessible.
        Durability        Each hole must be built to handle a large volume of traffic (more than 50,000
                          people visit DSBG during the summer) and weather without constant upkeep and
                          maintenance.
        Feasibility       Each proposal will be evaluated on the feasibility of its design for real-world
                          construction and use. Any proposals that are out of scope in scale or budget or
                          present unrealistic expectations by way of execution, playability, or installation may
                          not be considered. The selection panel may contact artists to clarify any feasibility
                          questions during the jury process.

STIPEND
Selected entries will receive a $3,000 stipend as compensation for artists' design, time, materials, delivery and
installation. The stipend will be paid in two installments, half upon full execution of the contract and half
upon completed installation of the hole. The selected artists will receive a free pass to play unlimited mini golf
all summer long (one pass per artist). The selected artists will also receive recognition in publications, media
opportunities, documentation and special events.

ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT
DSBG staff will consult with the selected artists and designers throughout the process of construction and
installation of each hole on the Mini Golf course. DSBG staff will consult in all aspects of course design and
construction to produce the best possible results and to maximize resources. This consultation will include
studio visits (schedule below) and occasional meetings with artists to gauge progress and address any potential
issues as they arise. Once the course is in place, DSBG's staff will create signage and flags to unify the public's
playing experience and brand the course.

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STUDIO VISITS
Studio visits will be performed at 30%, 70% and 90-100% intervals. This means that at the time of the 30%
studio visit, the hole is expected to be approximately 30% completed. The Studio Visit schedule is as follows:
Week of March 19, 2018: 30% Studio Visits
Week of April 30, 2018: 70% Studio Visits
Week of May 14, 2018: 90-100% Studio Visits
Note: Virtual studio visits will be scheduled for artists not in-residence in the greater Charlotte region.

INFORMATION SESSION
Monday, December 4, 2017, 7:30 pm
Great Hall, Visitor Pavilion, DSBG
An information session will be held for those interested in learning more about the project, constructing a
proposal, and who have other considerations or questions about the artist-designed mini golf program. This
information session is recommended for anyone considering submitting a proposal, but is not required.

TIMELINE
 Monday, November 20, 2017           Open Call Distributed
 Monday, December 4, 2017            Information Session
 Wednesday, January 3, 2018          Submission Due
 Monday, January 15, 2018            Winning Holes Selected & Contracts Sent Out
 Week of January 29, 2018            Contracts Returned & Final Design Discussions prior to fabrication
 Week of March 19, 2018              30% Studio Visit
 Week of April 30, 2018              70% Studio Visit
 Week of May 14, 2018                90-100% Studio Visit
 Week of May 21, 2018                Delivery & Installation of Holes
 Thursday, May 24, 2018              Course Opens for Preview
 Saturday, May 26, 2018              Course Opens to the Public
 Sunday, September 2, 2018           Course Closes
 Monday, September 3, 2018           De-installation & Dispersal of Holes Begins

HOURS OF OPERATION
The course will be open Thursday, May 24 through Sunday, September 2, 2018. The course will operate
during DSBG hours and during special events including, but not limited to Sip and Stroll evenings. Private
rental events will operate outside public hours.

STAFFING & MAINTENANCE
The daily management of course operations will be handled by DSBG staff. Upon installation, DSBG will
assume responsibility for upkeep and maintenance of the course.

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GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS
       The hole is expected to withstand direct exposure to the elements as well as an enthusiastic, club-
        wielding public of all ages.
       Any materials, structures, or components deemed hazardous or too fragile will be rejected. Please
        keep budget and feasibility in mind.
       All artist-designed elements must be fabricated from waterproof materials.
       Due to space limitations, the hole cannot exceed 144 sq. ft. total (12' x 12' plot).
       The hole may be constructed in any configuration, but must be designed for a level platform.
       Each hole must include a level area, no smaller than 3'x3' where players can stand to "tee-off.'
       The playing surface must encourage easy rolling, such as Astroturf or outdoor carpeting.
       The surface of the playing green must be fabricated from ¾” marine-grade plywood and be able to
        support 400 lbs.
       Undulating greens will be accepted.
       Individual holes must be able to withstand theft, extreme weather, and heavy use.
       All perimeter edges of the green should have a 4" high border to prevent the ball from rolling off of
        the playing surface.
       Drainage of rainwater should also be addressed; adding a drain every square foot of horizontal
        surface is recommended. A drain can be as simple as a small hole placed under the turf, but not
        covered by glue.
       The greens must be playable with traditional putters and golf balls and should be par six or under.
       All holes will be installed directly on the ground. To avoid moisture problems and accommodate the
        depth of the cup, the playing surface must be elevated 4 inches off the ground.
       No electrical power will be provided to holes. If you desire moving parts, we encourage you to find
        ways to make the hole interactive, i.e. letting the players turn a crank for a windmill. DSBG will
        account for lighting for nighttime play as necessary.
     Please attempt to address accessibility issues for the blind, mobility-impaired, and hearing-impaired.
Additional Items
       DSBG will provide a hole marker, tee-pad, and cup for each selected hole.
       The course design, layout and assignment of the hole numbers will be the responsibility of DSBG.
       If selected, preliminary drawings with construction notes, must be submitted to DSBG for approval
        prior to beginning construction.
       DSBG retains the right to make design modifications as needed.

INSTALLATION
The DSBG installation team will advise in the installation of the holes and be available for consultation about
technical questions and concerns throughout the process. Please review the "Guidelines and Specifications"
section for more complete information about installation. Installation will begin May 21, 2018. If selected,
you will be assigned an installation window of either 4 or 8 hours, depending upon the details of the hole.
Selected artists will be required to deliver and install their works. Components of each hole should be
movable by 2 people. DSBG will provide 2 additional people to assist with offloading into DSBG and to the
site. Final assembly of the hole is the responsibility of the artists. DSBG will monitor and maintain the course
and be responsible for simple damage and minor every day wear-and-tear to individual holes, but holes must

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not require ongoing maintenance. Any major damage to an individual hole will be the responsibility of the
artist. DSBG reserves the right to remove any hole that is not being maintained.

SAFETY
Construction methods and installation of works must meet the approval of DSBG. Studio visits will be
arranged by DSBG staff to check the construction and progress of the works. If any work is deemed
structurally unsound, the artist must correct the problem(s). No works may endanger visitors playing the
course. Any materials, structures, or components deemed hazardous or too fragile will be rejected.

INSURANCE
Due to the special nature of this exhibit, DSBG will not provide insurance coverage on the individual holes.

PR/MARKETING
DSBG reserves the right to photograph and reproduce all materials and to use these photographs for
educational, publicity, and promotional purposes. The DSBG Marketing department will promote the course
and should serve as primary media contact. Artists may be asked to participate in media interviews during the
fabrication phase and during the run of the exhibition. Artists should not set up mini-golf related interviews
on their own without consulting DSBG. DSBG retains all future rights to images of the holes.

HELPFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES
For tips on what makes a good hole or a bad hole, visit Tom Loftus’ and Robin Schwartzman’s blog at:

http://acoupleofputts.com/2012/11/07/interview-on-the-aesthetics-of-mini-golf-with-the-walker-art-
center/

which includes links to national courses and artist-designed courses.

APPLICATION PROCESS
All submissions should be emailed to larkin@dsbg.org by 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on Monday,
January 4, 2018. The email should contain the following three items:
    1) 1-4 images of your proposed project. This may include three-dimensional mock-ups, sketches, or
       digital drawings of your proposed mini golf hole. Supplemental images, such as examples of
       materials, or images of similar past projects may also be included, as well as details or close-ups of
       elements of your proposal. Please keep images smaller than 2MB per image.
    2) A brief project proposal describing the mini golf hole; proposed materials, concept or theme,
       functionality and playability. Sell your design. The more detail the better.
    3) A one-page resumé including contact information for the design team. Please organize your
       accomplishments into sections (for example: education, employment/professional, exhibitions,
       awards, publications, miscellaneous) and save your resumé as a pdf or Word document. If you are
       submitting as a collaborative team or group, please save them together as a PDF, one page per
       artist/collaborative team member.

QUESTIONS
Any questions should be directed to Christine Cordy, Executive Assistant at cordy@dsbg.org.

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