Project Artscape
Baltimore’s Visionary Fashion Experience during Artscape —
America’s largest annual outdoor free arts festival.
Project Artscape showcases Baltimore's talented fashion designers, by providing a platform that brings their fabrics, concepts, and designs to life.
Caprece Ann Jackson, Host and Assistant Director of the Project Artscape fashion experience, has been recognized by Visit Baltimore as one of the iconic fashion ambassadors of Baltimore City. Project Artscape is just one of the many impactful fashion projects with which she is involved.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Despite the unexpected wind and heavy rain, the Project Artscape team didn't let the weather dampen their spirits.
With an attitude of "the show must go on," they quickly collaborated with the coordinators of Artscape’s B23 exhibition and moved the fashion show indoors. The result was an unforgettable experience featuring the incredible designs of 24 out of the 31 selected designers in a three-hour, standing-room-only presentation. The resilience and adaptability of everyone involved made it even more special, marking a new era in the evolution of the Baltimore Fashion Community.
Community Impact
The show was amazing thanks to the incredible support of Project Artscape collaborators, including makeup artists, photographers, designer assistants, and the dedicated team of BOPA volunteers. And, of course, the Project Artscape designers who voluntarily showcased their work.
Special thanks to Dawn Harrell from the Baltimore City Design School for her contribution to the exhibition and for bringing her students to assist with the show. It was thrilling to watch so many memories and dreams being created.
Moving forward, our goal is to compensate the selected designers, hair and make-up team, and production crew (including photographers, videographers, and the behind-the-scenes team) for their time and services.
Project Artscape also has the opportunity to offer $200 stipends to ten (10) Baltimore City high school students — two from each design discipline at Baltimore City Design School, as well as two music students and two scenic design students from the Baltimore School for the Arts. Project Artscape will help these youths enhance their resumes and broaden their opportunities and connections within the community.
With additional funding, we would be able to fulfill the goal of obtaining general operating support for Project Artscape so the team can provide an even more phenomenal experience for Baltimore City residents and fashion lovers alike.
Let's keep dreaming big!
The Model Calls
At the beginning of September, BOPA hosted a series of Project Artscape Model Calls to expand the fashion and visual art opportunities that Baltimore has to offer.
In groups of 10, BOPA staff gave the models numbers and took photos to add to a database for the Project Artscape designers to view and make their model selections.
The model call and backstage experience fueled community, launched collaborations, and solidified relationships.
However, we were unable to pay the models for their time and services due to limited funding.
There is a universal standard that models do not get paid for their participation in fashion shows and there are few professional opportunities for emerging and rising models. They are forced to travel back and forth to multiple cities; many relocate to gain professional experiences and land paid bookings. Project Artscape provides a local, elevating, industry-standard model call experience that enhances model development.
With the right support, this program could cultivate a community of artists in an innovative way that could one day be replicated across the entire fashion industry.
The goal is to pay each designer a commission that allows them to pay themselves and their models to provide a quality experience.
There will be a clause in all designer agreements to pay their models a base amount that is agreed on by both parties.
Project Artscape Staff
Paid Staff
- Creator/Director
- Host/Assistant Director
- One (1) BOPA Production Coordinator
- One (1) Production assistant
- DJ
Volunteer Staff
- Designers
- Models
- Team of 10 photographers
- Eight (8) BOPA volunteers
- Project Artscape Beauty Pop team (makeup artists)
- Show production team, including students.
In addition to shooting the fashion show, our team of 10 photographers were assigned to the initial 31 selected designers to do a photoshoot for each designer's collection, in addition to behind-the-scenes documentation of each designer's process.
With all the amazing content captured, Project Artscape has the capacity to live beyond the life span of the annual festival. The website for Project Artscape will feature this content in addition to resources for Baltimore’s community of rising and professional fashion creators, lovers, and enthusiasts. The site will launch early February 2024.
We look forward to collaborating with other organizations and media outlets that focus on fashion.
Project Artscape 2024
Project Artscape will collaborate with the Baltimore Jazz Alliance to bring the vibrant energy of live jazz bands to the Project Artscape Experience. "Lounge areas" will surround the floor-level runway providing a jazz club-like ambience. The space will also exhibit information on the history of Baltimore's relationship with iconic jazz people and places, diving deeper into the fashion and style expressed during the Jazz Era of the 1920s, ‘30s, and beyond.
This partnership was created in the hopes of fusing music lovers and fashion lovers in one space, providing a ladder effect for future collaborations.
This will be a unique and immersive experience for everyone involved — designers, musicians, and the audience.
Sponsorship/Funding Needs:
Operations: $140,660.00
-Host/Assistant director: $55,000.00/Salary
-Production Lead ($24/hour.) Max 20 hours ($480)
-Production Assistant ($20/hour) Max 20 hours ($800)
-Ten (10) stipends of $200 for Baltimore Design School Students ($2,000)
-Five (5) Photographers ($20/hour) Max 40 hours ($4,000.00)
-Three (3) MUA's ($20/hour) Max 12 hours ($720.00)
-Three (3) live bands (Scaling $500–1,000/band) ($1,500–3,000)
-Sound engineer/DJ ($22/hour) Max 30 hours ($660)
-Commissioning designers ($36,000.00)
-Furnishing/curating the space ($10,000.00)
-Large, clear-top tent: $30,000.00
With the incredible achievements of 2023 behind us, the Project Artscape team is geared up to deliver an even more extraordinary and impactful experience. The vast majority of the effort poured into this program was volunteered. We managed to create something truly magical with only a $2,000.00 budget. Just imagine the possibilities with additional support!
Sponsorship Perks:
-Logo/brand will feature the Project Artscape Experience program as a listed sponsor.
-Logo/brand awareness on sponsors page.
-Organization/Name listed on the Artscape website.
-3 VIP seats for your team.
-Invited to the Sponsor VIP reception.
-Sponsorship vending at Artscape.
- 2 tickets to Mayor's opening reception.
Updates:
Earlier Selection Process
Designer applicants will go through a 2-part application process.
Designer Submissions:
Applicants will submit an application expressing interest in participating.
All applicants who meet the minimal requirements and display the skills in conceptualizing/constructing a design will make it to the "final decision" round.
Final Decisions: Designers who meet the minimum requirements will be adjudicated by the Project Artscape panel. The panel consists of fashion professionals who have experience aligned with the program. A total of 12 designers will be selected. The selected designers will be announced at the Walters Art Museum at a special event celebrating their selection.
Live music
One of three live bands will collaborate with each selected designer to play the perfect soundtrack for their collection during the experience.
The incredible lineup of bands is sponsored by the talented folks at the Baltimore Jazz Alliance. Get ready for an unforgettable moment where fashion meets music!
To offer assistance and or provide resources for Project Artscape 2024, please reach out to any of the contacts below.
Let's keep making magic and moving onward and upward together!
Contacts:
Project Artscape Staff:
Director/Creator- Devin Shacklett (Dshacklett@promotionandarts.org)
Assistant Director/Host- Caprece Ann Jackson (Bonneaucaprece@gmail.com)
Baltimore Jazz Alliance Rep/Board Member- Brynn Rhodes (Brynnrhodes5@gmail.com)
BOPA Development Team:
Sarah Gibbons (Sgibbons@promotionandarts.org)
Daniella Greeman (Dgreeman@promotionandarts.org)
