During 2016, selected artists will explore the beauty and inspiring nature of Forest Park and share their new work with the community through public programming

Contact:
Katy Peace, Marketing & Digital Media Manager | kpeace@forestparkforever.org | 314.561.3290

ST. LOUIS, February 9, 2016 – As part of a yearlong celebration of its 30th anniversary, Forest Park Forever is excited to announce the launch of a new initiative for 2016: The Forest Park Forever Artist in Residence Program.

The main goals of this special project are:

• To celebrate Forest Park Forever’s 30th anniversary by bringing attention to the Park’s natural beauty, cultural and historical significance and the work of Forest Park Forever and its partnership with the City of St. Louis
• To embrace the Park’s existing role as one of the country’s most inspiring open-air studios
• To allow the public access to the process of talented regional artists and the creative possibilities of Forest Park.

“Since our founding in 1986, Forest Park Forever has grown from a grass-roots fundraising organization to a robust, nationally respected conservancy,” said Forest Park Forever Strategic Communications Director Stephen Schenkenberg. “Because of our strong partnership with the City of St. Louis and the generosity of our supporters, Forest Park is now seen in a dramatically different light than it was 30 years ago. This residence program will take this theme — how Forest Park is seen, experienced and interpreted — in an exciting new direction that the entire community can enjoy. We can’t wait to see how the selected artists incorporate Forest Park into their practices.”

Program Specifics
There will be up to three residencies available for regional artists of all disciplines and backgrounds — from poets and choreographers to painters and photographers and beyond. Each artist will receive a $3,000 stipend from Forest Park Forever, plus a budget to create a public event at the end of their residency. Artists will be expected to work on-site in Forest Park for ten hours per week for three weeks and are encouraged to collaborate and learn from the talented horticulturists, gardeners and other professionals from Forest Park Forever and the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry. Residencies will take place between May and September 2016. None of the art work created (or completed) by any of the selected artists will be of a permanent nature in the Park.

As of Tuesday, February 9, Forest Park Forever is accepting proposals from artists interested in participating in the program. For more information about the application process, please visit forestparkforever.org/artists/rfp.

Proposals will be reviewed and the artists selected by this panel of respected arts and community professionals:

• David Allen, director of Arts in Transit, Bi-State Development
• Jessica Baran, director, fort gondo compound for the arts; poet and critic
• Nichole Bridges, associate curator in charge, Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas & associate curator for African Art, Saint Louis Art Museum
• Demond Meek, photographer, demondmeek.com; slumbeautiful.com
• De Nichols, community engagement manager, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis

More information about the Artist in Residence jury can be found at forestparkforever.org/artists.

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About Forest Park Forever

Founded in 1986, Forest Park Forever is a private nonprofit conservancy that works in partnership with the City of St. Louis and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry to restore, maintain and sustain Forest Park as one of America’s greatest urban public parks.

Along with the City of St. Louis, Forest Park Forever raised $100 million between 1995 and 2003 and dramatically restored many landmark destinations in Forest Park, including the Emerson Grand Basin, the Boathouse and the Jewel Box.

Today, Forest Park Forever maintains Forest Park with the City of St. Louis; raises funds for and helps manage capital restoration projects called for in the Forest Park Master Plan; delivers experiential educational opportunities to teachers, students and adults; and provides information and guides for the Park’s 13 million annual visitors. Not part of the Zoo-Museum Tax District, Forest Park Forever is supported by private donations from throughout the community, including its 7,000 members, 1,100 volunteers and many leading community and corporate partners.

Connect with us at facebook.com/forestparkforever,  twitter.com/forestpark4ever and instagram.com/forestparkforever.

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