THE ART INSTALLATION SPONSORSHIP 🎨
Each year, new art sprouts from The Forest floor, sparking wild imagination and ushering in unexpected experiences that expand beyond the trees and into the hearts and minds of the Forest Family.
Entering its 13th year, The Art Installation Sponsorship Plug In Program offers the opportunity for artists to tap into their imagination and bring creations inspired by The Forest to life. Artists and builders are invited to bring original works to Electric Forest – from interactive sculptures of all sizes and scale to immersive spaces, and anything in between – and showcase their most ambitious projects at Electric Forest. HQ will help fund and support winning projects, bringing new ideas and inspiration to life in The Forest.
HQ seeks submissions which are:
- Interactive with individuals or groups
- Original ideas
- Aesthetically compelling day and night
- Durable and able to withstand weather including wind, rain, and dust
- Does not rely on sound amplification or reactivity
- Suitable to be placed anywhere within the Festival Venue, including outside of Sherwood Forest
- Accompanied with detailed schematics, drawings, renderings, materials list, etc
The Art Installation Sponsorship is not seeking muralists, art galleries, or submissions based on pop culture references (ie TV shows, movie characters, etc.)
AWARD
- A grant of between $1.00 and $10,000.00 towards the costs of building the installation
- Working credentials for a build team of up to five (5) people
- Staff Camping for team
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner provided for Winner’s team during setup and breakdown, plus Vendor Meal Tokens provided on Festival days
- A Festival liaison to assist the Winner’s team with production needs
- Power hook-up for the installation
- A footprint within Electric Forest or campgrounds for project
- An introduction into the world of Electric Forest art - providing a unique opportunity for exposure and collaboration
TIMELINE
Submissions will be accepted for review starting Friday, November 22, 2024, through Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern. Follow-up materials may be requested after that time. Winning projects will be selected in the Spring.
SELECTION PROCESS
Judged by: The Festival Art Directors & Plug In Team
Judgment method: By reviewing & ranking proposals
Judged on:
- 30% Art
- 30% Appropriateness for event
- 20% Ease of execution
- 20% Interactivity
Including a video describing your inspiration, and showcasing your personality, project, and background with your application is highly encouraged.
LOOK BACK AT THE 2024 ART INSTALLATION SPONSORSHIP WINNERS
AYA Goddess of Light by Eddy Sampson
AYA Goddess of Light is an intricate and meticulously detailed, projection-mapped and laser-cut sculpture that embodies grace and beauty in the form of an ethereal light goddess. She moves and breathes in light and illuminates the world with awe and wonder meant to delight and celebrate life in all its glorious color.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Eddy is a laser cutter projection mapper from Asheville NC and has been in the Festival scene making art for 11 years.
Full Speed Ahead by Cole Stiemsma
Nature is wild.
Big and small and sometimes both. New perspective can lead to better understanding. Sometimes it feels good to feel small, or to feel like a kid again. Sometimes the wood grain from an old tree tells a story itself… and sometimes big wood bugs are just fun to look at and climb on!
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Electric Forest has always held a big place in Cole’s heart. He’s been going since it was Rothbury and proposed to his wife on stage during Jai Wolf’s set in 2016. It means the world to him to have a sculpture in The Forest.
Waabigwan by Danielle Boyer & Lucid Skies
"Waabigwan," whispers the beauty of resilience, echoing through Anishinaabe lands. To the Anishinaabe, plants are revered beings, crafted from minerals, water, and light. Many of the vibrant flowers hold deep healing symbolism and represent the essence of life itself. Waabigwan, translating to "flower," invites you to step softly amongst the flowers nestled within the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe, where every petal tells a visual story, reflecting on the past while embracing hope for the future through technology.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Danielle Boyer, an Indigenous (Anishinaabe - Enrolled Citizen of Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigan) youth artist and robotics designer, is passionate about blending culture and technology to uplift Indigenous communities. She is a robotics inventor and advocate for youth who created The STEAM Connection, a youth-led charity that has reached 800k+ youth with free technical education to bridge the digital divide for Indigenous youths. Danielle seeks to understand how interactive art and technology can support a vision of Indigenous futures through education and representation.
The Willow of Light by William Brett Schrader
The legendary willow tree stood tall, known as the Willow of Light. Each year during the festival, it illuminated the woods with its radiant glow, drawing curious souls near.
With gentle touches, festival-goers discovered the tree's interactive magic as it responded with cascading lights and playful movements. And when the music played, the Willow swayed in harmony adding to the festival's energy.
Amidst the enchantment, the Willow of Light became a symbol of connection and wonder, where strangers become friends under its luminous canopy. As the night deepened, its magic lingered, leaving memories of joy and dreams in its wake.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
William Brett Schrader, a self-taught artist, has been creating art in the form of jewelry, textiles, and sculpture for over a decade. Discovering his passion by chance with no formal art education, his talent and creativity have shaped his unique style. Constantly evolving at 32, he embraces revision and collaboration, working with various materials like wood, metal, and glass alongside his brother Tyler Schrader. Despite his success, William remains humble, embodying the power of self-teaching and the joy of pursuing one's passions. As he continues to grow artistically, his journey promises exciting new horizons.