Application Deadline this Wednesday September 1, 2021, 5pm
PIANOS ON STATE is an interactive musical experience that takes place during Arts & Humanities Month in October. After an unusual and remarkable year in 2020 with COVID, we could not be more excited for our 12th year in downtown Santa Barbara back on State Street.
Each piano becomes its own interactive piece of art as painted by local Santa Barbara artists. The pianos will be displayed on designated pads along State Street for the public to play. Every year piano-painting at the Community Arts Workshop is a weekend of artists of all styles and stripes rubbing shoulders, trading tips and information, and making art together.
As a public art program, this is an opportunity for emerging and professional artists alike to showcase their work through a unique project. Individual artists and collaborative teams are both eligible, though teams must use one application.
Piano-painting at the CAW will follow current COVID guidelines. The CAW has abundant outdoor airflow, and we will be able to enforce mask requirements and allow for space between the pianos as needed for current COVID conditions.
Each artist or artist team painting a piano will be given a $350 stipend to purchase materials of their choice for a designated piano. All pianos will be provided and transported by the Pianos on State team. Space to paint the pianos will also be provided at CAW. Participating artists will be recognized on the Pianos on State Street website, piano banners, and all other marketing and publicity materials.
Guidelines:
Pianos on State exists to foster a sense of community, connection, and shared humanity. Piano designs should be suitable for all ages and apolitical. Advertising, political lobbying, copyrighted images, hate speech and profanity are prohibited.
To ensure the longevity of the artwork, loose materials like glitter and sand cannot be included in the design.
This project is open to artists living and working in Santa Barbara County.
As a public art program, this is an opportunity for emerging and professional artists alike to showcase their work through a unique project. Individual artists and small collaborative teams are both eligible, though teams must use one application.
To Submit, Please Include:
Three digital examples of your artwork design.
Two digital examples of past artwork.
One paragraph stating your concept and why you are interested in participating in the project.
Important Dates
The application deadline is September 1, 2021, at 5pm. Painting will take place at the Community Arts Workshop (CAW) located at 631 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, October 1-3 between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
There will be a special party for piano artists and sponsors Monday night October 4th.
Pianos will make their debut on State Street on Tuesday, October 5 and will be on display until Friday, October 22. Pianos will be available for musical exploration, impromptu play and group performances from 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. for the duration of their display on State Street. Amateur, professional and public musicians alike are invited to sit down and play.
PIANOS ON STATE is organized collaboratively by local organizations:
Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative, Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture, Santa Barbara Education Foundation, Downtown Santa Barbara, and more.
Find out more and see a partial archive of videos from previous years of Pianos on State at sbcaw.org/pianos.
The Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative and Community Arts Workshop are funded in part by the Organizational Development Program using funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture.
