YOUR SUBMISSION TO SWELL
Q. WHEN CAN I SUBMIT MY ENTRY TO SWELL SCULPTURE FESTIVAL?
A. The call for entries open December 1, 2024 and closes January 31, 2025. We suggest you subscribe to our newsletter from here to keep up to date with the latest information.
Q. MY SCULPTURE IS NOT FINISHED - CAN I SUBMIT THIS WORK?
A. Your entry can be a finished work, a work in progress or a conceptual plan. You will need to include images or proposed work sketches, an artist statement and a proposed installation statement including a list of materials, vehicles or heavy equipment required with your entry as well as an installation method statement.
Q. DOES SWELL HAVE A THEME?
A. There is no theme associated to exhibiting at SWELL. SWELL welcomes the opportunity to work with artists who are keen to break new ground in sculpture presentation and installation art. Works can be site-specific, display ephemeral qualities and should invite dialogue and instigate inspired conversations through craftsmanship, kinetics, message or artistic quirkiness.
Q. DO YOU HAVE A CURATORIAL POLICY?
A. Yes, SWELL Sculpture Festival allows the artist full freedom of expression for all forms of sculpture. Sculptors must take into consideration the challenges of building for and installing the sculpture in a natural landscape and public realm and consider the safety and regulations of the beach and parklands. We encourage large art forms or works with a significant footprint simply because the beach is a vast open space and lends itself to sculptures that are durable and built in likeness to a work suitable for permanent installation.
Q. CAN I ENTER MORE THAN ONE SCULPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE CURATORIAL PANEL?
A. Yes. An entry form must be completed with each work proposed and the entry fee paid on each entry. The curatorial panel will consider all entries.
Q. DO I NEED ENGINEERING CERTIFICATION?
A. Works of certain height and weight, those attached to existing infrastructure or natural formations may require engineering certification. Please contact artist@swellsculpture.com.au for clarification.
Q. WHEN DO I FIND OUT IF I WAS SELECTED FOR THE EXHIBITION?
A. Artists will be notified by February 28, 2025, if their submission has been successful or unsuccessful.
Q. HOW DO I PAY THE ENTRY FEE OF $55?
A. Payments are made by card through the online application form. Please contact the office with any payment enquiries by emailing artist@swellsculpture.com.au
EXHIBITING ARTIST FAQS
Q. IS IT POSSIBLE TO REQUEST A PARTICULAR SITE?
A. It is possible to request a site or setting but the final decision lies with the site curator. Site specific works will be discussed upon acceptance. Please liaise with the site curator before going ahead with production of a site specific work.
Q. CAN I MEET ON SITE WITH THE CURATOR?
A. We encourage artists to meet on site prior to the exhibition for site allocation and installation matters. Artists who are not able to attend on site meetings can communicate with the site curator via telephone or email.
Q. CAN MY SCULPTURE BE PLACED IN THE DUNE AREA?
A. With respect to the fragility and ongoing protection of the dune areas it is most unlikely your sculpture will be placed in the dunes.
Q. CAN MY SCULPTURE BE PLACED ON THE BEACH?
A. There are areas of the beach where sculptures can and cannot be placed. The site curator in consultation with lifeguard and park authorities determines these locations.
Q. WHAT IF MY SCULPTURE IS NOT FINISHED BEFORE THE IMAGE IS REQUIRED FOR THE EXHIBITION PROGRAM?
A. The cut off for all images will be outlined in an exhibitor kit emailed to you.. If you do not have a high resolution image of your completed work by this time, then an image of part of the sculpture or Marquette is an alternative. Remember, the program is distributed to the public, buyers and patrons, in your best interest every effort should be made to have an high resolution image supplied by the due date.
Q. CAN I SEEK SPONSORSHIP FOR MY SCULPTURE?
A. Yes, we commend artists who actively seek sponsorship or in-kind support to exhibit at SWELL. There are certain opportunities we can work with you to secure for your sponsors and supporters.
INSURANCE
Q. DOES THE EVENT HAVE PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE?
A. Yes, Swell Sculpture Festival has public liability insurance.
Q. DO I NEED TO HAVE INSURANCE TO EXHIBIT AT SWELL SCULPTURE FESTIVAL?
A. If you are selected to exhibit at SWELL Sculpture Festival, you are required to present your certificate of currency for public liability insurance. SWELL Sculpture Festival does not directly or indirectly insure any artists or artworks exhibited at the Festival.
FLYING ARTS OFFER
Contact Flying Arts Alliance for more information about insurance and ask about the special offer for SWELL artists.
NAVA
National Association for the Visual Arts offers a Professional Membership Insurance Package and general information about the types of insurance available. More Info
Swell Sculpture Festival does not endorse any of the companies listed from the links directly above and independent advice should be sought to determine your needs.
INSTALLATION DAY
Q. WILL THERE BE HELP AVAILABLE ON THE DAY TO INSTALL MY WORK?
A. It is best to be as self-sufficient as possible. However, in the weeks leading up to installation, you will be allocated a site manager who will assist coordinate you for a smooth transition of your sculpture to the site. A team of volunteers back us on installation day but we strongly suggest that you enlist family and friends to help you with the installation.
Q. WILL THERE BE CRANES AVAILABLE TO ASSIST WITH INSTALLATION?
A. Yes. A crane or manitou and tractor will be available on the first installation day only. SWELL provides this machinery resource at no cost to the artist. The curator schedules the use of machinery throughout the day and we ask for your patience as some sculptures require more time than others. We do not have a forklift (or access to one) so please consider and plan how your sculpture can be unloaded prior to transporting to the site.
Q. CAN I BUY BEERS FOR THE HELPERS AND VOLUNTEERS AFTER THE INSTALL DAY IS DONE?
A. Yes! After your sculpture has been installed and signed off for the exhibition.
Q. CAN I POUR CONCRETE TO INSTALL MY PIECE?
A. Yes. Be mindful that the concrete must be de-installed with your work. We suggest buckets filled with concrete to anchor your work as they can be easily removed.
Q. CAN I ARRANGE AND PAY FOR MY OWN CRANE OR MACHINERY FOR INSTALLATION?
A. Yes, please advise the site curator of this as you will need to be aware of issues such as traffic control, access points and pathway limitations.
Q. CAN I CHANGE SITES IF I FEEL THE ONE ALLOCATED DOES NOT SUIT MY WORK?
A. Allocation of your site is final. However, there is always room for consideration of a variation of placement once the site curator sees the work on site.
DE-INSTALLATION DAY
Q. I NEED TO BE IN MELBOURNE THE DAY THE EXHIBITION CLOSES, CAN I DE-INSTALL EARLY?
A. Sculptures must remain on-site until the close of the exhibition which is from 7am on Monday morning only. You can make alternative arrangements to have a representative or SWELL remove your sculpture. Your helper will need have completed the safety induction and be advised that your site needs to be left clean, tidy and in its original condition by 1pm. A fee will be charged if SWELL is to de-install your sculpture.
FOR ANY FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE, EMAIL ARTIST@SWELLSCULPTURE.COM.AU
We respectfully acknowledge the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community.
We pay sincere respect to the Elders both past and present and emerging
If you would like to support & partner with SWELL Sculpture Festival email us at enquiry@swellsculpture.com.au.
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