The MIT Museum is putting on the first ever Cambridge Science Festival April of next year and they’ve just put out a call for entries. I just got this email and thought I copy and paste the content here. Read on to find out more about what this festival is and how you can take part. Sounds like a cool idea. It’s on my calendar. I’m always interested to see how science can reach out to the public.
Call for Entries to MIT students, faculty and staff
to contribute programming to the Cambridge Science Festival
April 21-29, 2007
This first-ever festival is seeking performing/visual/media arts projects connecting art and science.
The Cambridge Science Festival, presented by the MIT Museum, will offer a wide range of science- and technology-related activities-creative exhibitions, concerts, plays, poetry readings, lectures, debates and demonstrations-over a period of nine days and a variety of locations.
The Festival’s events are expected to reach at least 100,000 people face-to-face, with many more reached indirectly through radio and TV broadcasts and other media. While the Festival is designed to appeal to audiences from preschoolers to senior citizens, the majority of Festival programming will focus on students K-12 and their families.
The overarching theme for the inaugural Cambridge Science Festival is Science in the City. Four sub-themes-Innovations, Science & the Arts, Energy & the Environment, and Science in Everyday Life-will provide unity and easy-to-understand structure for all Festival events.
Proposals are being accepted for all aspects of the Science Festival, including opening and closing ceremonies, daily events and activities, evening celebrations and performances, and indoor and outdoor activities.
All venues will be in Cambridge, and will include auditoriums, outdoor public spaces, theaters, storefronts, private businesses, and city streets.
We are looking for ideas that celebrate science and technology in ways that combine spirit, interactivity and audience appeal.
Guidelines for submission
—Festival participants and their events will be selected through a curated process that ensures consistency of theme and quality. Members of the Festival Programming Committee will review proposals.
—Selection is based on thematic alignment, audience appeal, technical feasibility, site availability, and funding. Participant-organized events are required to be independently funded and produced.
—Technical and financial support will be limited, and based upon the nature of the event, site location, scheduling and cost.
—Proposals that incorporate interactivity and participation by audience members are encouraged.
—Applicants are also encouraged to propose projects that involve community-based organizations in the planning and creation of pieces, exhibitions and performances to be showcased during the Festival.
Proposals should include:
—A brief description of your program/project/performance idea. No more than two pages, please.
—Indicate how your event will support the Festival Theme Science in the City or sub-themes Innovations, Science & the Arts, Energy & the Environment, and Science in Everyday Life.
—Estimate the number of people your event will reach.
—Provide venue information or a request for venue identification support. The Festival will provide limited assistance in securing venues.
—If available, provide support materials that reviewers can use to evaluate your performance, workshop or installation. This can be text, graphics, photos or other renderings, audio/video/multimedia as appropriate. Large digital files should be delivered via CD or a link to Web site or online press kit. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like your support materials returned.
—Please include a list of technical requirements, if any, including any special staging or sound equipment (i.e. microphones, monitor speakers, instrument input locations), power needs, etc.
—If applicable, include participant bios or press kit/promotional materials.
—If applicable, a description of how the proposed event involves community participants.
Questions?
If you would like to discuss your proposal prior to submitting it, please contact Kate Bernhardt or Ellen Bluestein at 617-253-6914; or via email at info@cambridgesciencefestival.org
Entry Form
Name of Group/IndividualPrimary Contact Person
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Fax
Web Site (if applicable)
Festival Theme Category
Number of Participants
Length of Performance Set (if applicable)
Services to be provided by the Cambridge Science Festival
Submit by email to: Proposals@cambridgesciencefestival.org
or submit by mail to:
The Cambridge Science Festival
The MIT Museum
265 Massachusetts Ave. N52-200
Cambridge, MA 02139
Deadline for Proposals: December 15, 2006
First Round Evaluation: January 15, 2007
Final Participant Notification: January 31, 2007
Signed Event Participation Agreements Due: February 15, 2007
