OPEN CALL FOR PROPOSALS

THIRD STREET BOX OFFICE AT THE PARAMOUNT

As the nation approaches the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act passed on July 2, 1964, The Paramount Theater of Charlottesville invites area artists of all disciplines to submit proposals to activate a local remnant of the South’s segregation laws, The Paramount’s Third Street Box Office. Area artists are invited to submit proposals for temporary exhibitions that address the history of segregation and civil rights.

How might you confront this history? What might it look like to honor the legacy of the Black leaders, artists, and community members who were once required to use this entrance to the theater? What possibility does this space hold for truth-telling? For reimagining?

Three (3) selected artists will receive an honorarium of $2,500 each to present an original work on the site of The Paramount Theater’s Third Street Box Office. Spaces available for installation include the interior/exterior of the Third Street Box Office and adjacent brick wall siding. Selected projects will be on display for three (3) weeks. Artists are responsible for installing and removing their work. 

The Third Street Box Office at The Paramount Project is supported by a grant from The League of Historic American Theaters (LHAT) DEIB Initiative with the stated goals of sharing our historic, exterior space with community artists to extend our mission; igniting dialogue and fostering conversation; drawing attention to artists in our local community; and driving visitors to the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville.

New City Arts is providing consulting support for The Third Street Box Office at The Paramount Project.

Eligibility

This call is open to artists living in the Charlottesville area. 

Artists of all ages working in any media may apply. 

Selected Artists Receive

An honorarium of $2,500 per project to be used any way the artist sees fit.

Limited production and technical support. Artists are ultimately responsible for acquiring the materials and equipment necessary for completion of their project.

The opportunity to deliver prepared remarks and introduce their project at its opening.

Review Process and Selection Criteria

Completed online applications must be received by Wednesday, May 1 at 11:59PM and will be reviewed by a panel made up of community members and Paramount associates.

Following the panel review, project finalists will be contacted individually to discuss their proposals before determining the three (3) selected artists.  

Artist Guidelines

Artists are responsible for the installation and removal of artwork before and after display.

All projects must be installed in a safe manner, and abide by all laws and safety standards, to be assessed and evaluated in consultation with The Paramount Theater and The City of Charlottesville. 

As most of the exhibition space is exterior, public, and accessible 24/7, artists should consider summer weather (rain, heat, humidity, etc.) as part of their proposal. 

Artists grant permission to The Paramount Theater to images of selected entries for project preservation, publicity, and education. Please include photo credit where it differs from the artist's name.

Work that seeks to discriminate on the basis of color, race, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other reason will not be considered. 



ABOUT

Artists are invited to visit The Paramount’s Third Street Box Office at their convenience or contact us to arrange a closer look. Please visit theparamount.net for location and contact information, plus more information about the Theater's history. 

The Paramount Theater of Charlottesville acknowledges that this practice and the laws of segregation are a scar on its history and on the history of the United States. However painful, these memories cannot be erased, and today’s citizens must live with this shameful inheritance.

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