What is Crockpot Theatre? 

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Crockpot Theatre is a collection of new works created by artists across disciplines in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Arts Nest (Phoenix Theater in Minneapolis) is co-producing and hosting us for a second year!

 

We assemble a team of incredible artists - from dancers to illustrators to actors to writers to photographers. Each artist is given common ‘ingredients’ they must include in their work. Over eight weeks, they create a new work from scratch, and when it’s done simmering, they serve it up to you ---with a gallery showing and performances at Art Nest's Phoenix Theater in Minneapolis, MN.

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What is the deadline for artists to apply? ​

 

The artist applications deadline is February 20, 2020 at 5pm. 

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Artists will be interviewed during February. 

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Final selections will be made in the first week of March. You will be NOTIFIED by email whether you've been accepted as a Crockpot artist or not by March 15th at the latest. 

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Contracts will be signed at the first meeting, which will be happening in the last half of March. 

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How many people can an artist bring into their work?

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The person sending in the application will be considered the contact person, lead, and person responsible for the completion of their art project. They can bring in as many people as they'd like to collaborate with on their individual project, however, they will be responsible for their art ensemble. 

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If you intend to have more than you working on this art project, please make sure to state that in your application, or as soon as you know. 

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What are the three ingredients that the artists must use, and who decides them?

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The three ingredients will be generated and voted on by the ensemble of artists creating for Crockpot 2020 at the earliest meetings. As soon as they are chosen, the artists will begin creating their work. 

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What & who is needed for the application?

 

1.   You must be a Twin Cities or surrounding area resident. 

 

2.  A link to a website or portfolio (IG, Flickr, Google Drive Folder, etc), or a short video (link is fine; we'll watch up to 4 minutes). 

 

3.  Fill out the online application form. Artists can preview all the questions before responding on the first page of the application form here: APPLICATION FORM.

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What is Crockpot Theatre looking for in its artists?

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We are looking for motivated artists who have experience in and a love for creating new work. Because the purpose of Crockpot is to assemble an eclectic group of individual, unique artists that like to create new work, artists will be chosen based on the needs of the overall program. (Ex: If eight photographers apply, only one or two could make it into the gallery as a visual artist, and their work would need to be significantly different in style.) Cross pollination between the different art forms is what makes Crockpot so unique. ​

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If an artist has multiple art genres (painting, poetry, singing, etc), how do they know which one(s) they will be focusing/utilizing for Crockpot if chosen?

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The online application will ask for a list of artistic talents you'd be willing to work with or focus on for this round of Crockpot Theatre. 

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At being accepted to the project, you will be told what your art creation focus will be (puppetry, photography, spoken word, etc.) - chosen by the Crockpot production team.

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Because the purpose of Crockpot is to assemble an eclectic group of individual, unique artists that like to create new work, artists will be chosen based on the needs of the overall program. (Ex: If eight photographers apply, only one or two could make it into the gallery as a visual artist.) Cross pollination between the different art forms is what makes Crockpot so unique. ​

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Who covers the expenses of the artist's work?

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While we are working on fundraising a small creation stipend for each artist, at this point we cannot provide any financing for any of the pieces. You, the artist, will be responsible for purchasing and creating all of your own set, prop, art, and costume elements. 

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The visual artists putting their work up in the gallery of Phoenix Theatre (art will stay up for three months) will have the opportunity to put a price tag on their work for the community to purchase. This will be done in special arrangement with Arts Nest at Phoenix Theatre, and Arts Nest will take a small percentage if art is purchased. 

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What expenses and needs is Crockpot covering?

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Artists participating won't be receiving a check when the show and gallery is complete, however, what Crockpot Theatre is providing is a supportive ensemble and environment to make a 10-15 minute performance or a wall for visual art piece(s) that will have an audience and be on display to the community at Phoenix Theater in Minneapolis.

 

Crockpot Theatre provides a supportive environment and gatherings to guide and support each artists as they make their new work. Crockpot provides the opportunity for artists from different backgrounds and genres to meet and cross-pollinate with ideas and perspectives. 

 

Crockpot will be advertising and marketing the event and its artists; renting the space for ensemble gatherings every other week; renting the tech week and performances space; providing board operators and engineers for the performances; having a gallery coordinator who will oversee and assist the artists with putting their art up; and has made arrangements for the visual artists work to be on display for three months. 

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How long of pieces/performances are expected from the performing artists? And what theatrical effects are available to performers?

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Performing artists will produce work around 10 minutes in length each. No less than 8 minutes, no more than 15 minutes in length.

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Phoenix Theatre has a small proscenium stage, and a house that seats around 100 people. There's a light board and sound board with operators during the show, though the sound/light cues should be simple and basic.

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You are responsible for buying, bringing in, and setting up what you plan on using on stage. Your end work should be able to be set up on stage in a matter of minutes, and struck in the same amount of time. Minimalism in design is necessary, as all the performances will be rolled into an hour and a half showing for an audience. 

 

While we are working on fundraising a small creation stipend for each artist, at this point we cannot promise any financing for any part of your piece. You, the artist, will be responsible for purchasing and creating all of your own stage, prop, and costume elements. 

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How much actual physical work (product) is expected of the visual artists? 

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Each visual artist will be given a wall space to fill (could be up to 10'x10' - approximate size of largest wall space). If a visual artist makes sculptures or other 3D objects, an allotted space will be decided in accordance with the work the artist typically produces or expects to produce. A combination of floor space and wall space can be accommodated as long as we know early that's what you're interested in. 

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A visual artist can make one giant piece, or a collection of smaller ones. They are responsible for coming up with and executing their vision (with the three ingredients appearing/influencing) to fill the space they're given. 

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Please take a look at the pictures from 2019's Crockpot Theatre event to get an idea of the gallery spaces : CLICK HERE

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How often will artists meet all together and present their WIPs (works-in-progress)?

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We are making a shift from last year, and will be meeting once every other week for two months until tech week. Artists can only miss one meeting during the process, and it should be stated before the process begins. 

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What & when is tech week, performances, and the gallery opening?

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Tech, gallery load in, and performances will be the first week of June 2020. 

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All artists can expect to be helping set up and/or participating in tech at Phoenix Theatre in the evenings from Monday, June 1 - Saturday, June 6 (including Saturday afternoon). ​
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If you're interested in participating and ready to apply, click on the "APPLY" button here:

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If you have a question, please contact us here: