Four Calls to Phoenix Artists

By Benjamin Leatherman Wed., Jul. 27 2011 at 2:30 PM

Categories: Visual Art

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Know any good jokes? The Arizona Comedy Festival's organizers want to hear 'em.

It's said that the best way to deal with frustration, rejection, and quite possibly summertime blues, is to suck it up, dust it off, and try again.

And now's the time for no excuses, since a slew of opportunities for local artists are up and ready for entry.

1. Arizona Comedy Festival:
Local event gurus Chris and Jim McClenan have a variety of interests; they help organize professional wrestling events, comedy shows, and even the odd rock concert now and again.

Their latest project is the Arizona Comedy Festival, which takes place early next year and will feature both nationally known jokesters and local stand-ups. Candidates who feel like their gags are the greatest can visit the event's website and submit videos of their routines for a chance at participating in the festival's comedy competition. At stake is a $2,000 cash prize for the winner. There's a submission fee of $25 and applicants will be judged on their originality, charisma, and audience response.

2. Sunnyslope Art Walk

The organizers of this semi-annual affair are on the lookout for local artists and crafting types to display their wares during the next edition of the event in October. More than 140 artists will be featured, including works by painters, sculptors, fashionistas, and others. The deadline for applications is September 2 and there's a $25 fee (with a $5 discount for those who submit by August 19). Visit the Sunnyslope Art Walk site for more info.

3. Arizona Artist Project Grants

If there's one thing that artists need more than some inspiration and fresh supplies, it's cash. So it's a good thing that the Arizona Commission on the Arts has several thousand in cash to dole out. They're kicking off the application cycle for their annual Arizona Artist Project Grants, and will award $5,500 to help ease the pain of the creation process. The main Artist Project Grant will hand out up to $5,500 to several artists, while the Distinguished Merit Award will also provide an extra $2,500 to the individual whose planning a "notably exceptional project." Additionally, the ACA will also offer $500 via the Bill Desmond Writing Award to nonfiction writers. More details can be found over at the commission's website.

4. Imagine PHX:
There are still a few days left until the deadline for our Imagine PHX series, which features local artists and their creative visions and representations of the Valley. Submissions can be in a variety of media -- photography, painting, sculpture, video, installation, literary -- all we ask is for a file (.jpg, link video, text of literary), accompanied by artist information and a small description of why the work relates to Phoenix. Submissions can be sent to Claire.Lawton@newtimes.com by August 1.

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