Wicker Park Bucktown launches pop-up gallery contest

On Wednesday, I learned that WPB (the Wicker Park Bucktown chamber of commerce) is launching Make Believe, a pop-up art program to "activate" the neighborhoods' empty storefronts. The Chicago Loop Alliance's Pop-Up Art Loop program downtown seems to be going well, so bringing temporary art to Hipster Central seems like a no-brainer.

There are a few catches, however. Artists' Make Believe proposals must be postmarked by May 26. Make Believe started putting the word out on Facebook and Twitter May 5.

That doesn't leave much time to assemble proposals for entirely new work, per the application's requirements. The RFP also states, "The driving concept behind these installations is the re-imagining of what commerce in WPB will look like in the distant future." Say what?

In return for "[exploring] what could happen if artists took on the role of improving various business sectors through creativity and innovation," WPB will give the artists' (or artists' teams) whose proposals are selected stipends of up to $1,000 each—after their installations are completed. Artists are also responsible for insuring their work. "While it is no way required," the application adds, "we encourage you to partner with local businesses on this project."

Though I love Wicker Park and Bucktown—I lived in Bucktown for more than two years—and want to see them thrive, this seems like a bad idea for everyone involved. If WPB wants Make Believe to bring foot traffic to the area, it should have allowed artists to propose whatever they want, within the limits of logistics and the building owners' sensibilities. The contest's constraints make it seem as though WPB really wants artists to create an ad campaign for local businesses—for a pittance—and possibly at a loss, unless you find a sponsor. (See "ad campaign.")

WPB sweetens the deal by promising that the installations will be on view from July 3–October 29, 2010, and that participating artists "will be aggressively promoted." The organization has assembled a respectable jury to review the proposals, consisting of Ed "Edmar" Marszewski, founder of Co-Prosperity Sphere and Public Media Institute; Anthropologie visual manager Lauren Orciulo and Monique Meloche Gallery director Whitney Tassie. Based on the info in the sponsorship package, it appears they'll choose at least ten installations. If your project gets the most votes before October 29 in Make Believe's public competition, you win $5500.

For more information, visit Make Believe's website. I'll be home working on my Quimby's jetpack.