Any Individual who identifies as an artist, creates and participates in the function of artistry. Anyone who currently creates visual art in any form and will continue to do so. Persons ready to showcase their created pieces during the June 29th showcase. Acceptable applicants will feature artworks with a physical form that can be organized through art curation for the showcase.

A series or groups of artwork that speak to a larger concept or narrative present in your artistry. The goal is to introduce the City of Springfield to a few artist’s bodies of work. Then create a demand around their work helping them to sustain the continued production of such pieces, as is essential to a long term art career. All artwork shall be original to the applicant submitting the works.

Each artist will be judged according to a 25 point system.The scoring will be done anonymously.

Art's Next Up Scoring Rubric:

1. Narrative of the artwork Series - 10 points | This portion of the application will be graded in two separate sections:
   • Concept and Writing Concept 5 points - How strong is your art concept? Do your works or series tell a streamline story together? Is this a formal representation of your larger artwork career or embodiment of Art? How believable is this art form to continue in your line of work? What does this concept bring to the art world beyond its visual representation? Points are rewarded for compelling answers to these questions.
   • Writing 5 points - How well written is your concept idea written? Is your idea clearly explained? Are there any missing aspects to your overall narrative that would help strengthen your application. Points are rewarded for compelling answers to these questions.
2. Artwork Description - Unscored
3. Pictures of art work - Unscored
4. Artist biography - 5 points | Do we as the reader understand your life history and association with art? Can we feel how important this subset of your life is to you? Will we be inclined to keep in contact and follow your art career as it progresses? Tell us what is your reason for creating, and why should we the reader care? Points are rewarded for compelling answers to these questions.
5. Picture of artist to be used in marketing - Unscored
6. Artist resume - 1 points | Are the accomplishments of your artist career clearly defined? Are your skills, training, and special interests outlined in the documents? Keep in mind any events, showcases, awards, any news articles, are important to highlight. Points are awarded for the completeness of your resume.
7. Self identification
   • BIPOC - 2 points | As a BIPOC led organization catering to Arts + Culture in Springfield, it’s important to highlight individuals who have been historically disadvantaged. Points are awarded for self identification as a person of the Global majority.
   • Springfield resident - 3 points | As a Springfield based organization, it’s important to highlight our homegrown talent. Our city has some of the most blessed artists. Points are awarded for self identification as a person living in the Springfield Area.
8. Readiness to proceed (if chosen) - 4 points | This is a showcase with a deadline, all applicants if chosen shall have their works ready to showcase by June 10th. A statement describing your readiness will be judged for its completeness and how believable your readiness is for this showcase.

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of representatives of the Springfield community:

1. Ellen Freyman, Partner at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C 
2. Edward L. O'Gilvie | Visual Arts Teacher, Longmeadow Public Schools
3. Giovanni Perez | Financial Planner, Davis Financial Group
4. Yaning Xing | Masters of Fine Arts, Practicing Artist

• Awardees will be required to sign a Contract agreement in order to showcase at Art’s Next Up
• Awardees will be required to adhere to deadlines expressed in the contract for the showcase and exhibition.

The Love Art Collective is an BIPOC Artist led 501c3 focusing on community enrichment through Art + Cultural Development. The LAC is a proud member of the Springfield Creative City Collective.

The Springfield Creative City Collective is a coalition of economic development stakeholders focused on the transformation and revitalization of the Springfield creative and cultural economy, through sustainable and culturally proficient initiatives that interconnect advocacy, racial equity, social justice, professional development, and strategic investment.

The SCCC is funded by MassDevelopment/TDI and the Barr Foundation; the Arts Nexts Up program is one component of a broader “TDI Creative Cities” initiative to boost arts-based economic development.