Other things to do at CHBP. From 2011’s Day One (Image: CHS)

We’ve been hearing a lot about changes coming for the Capitol Hill Block Party starting with this July’s 2012 edition. One of the new additions apparently will take the form of an arts program at the three-day festival curated by Ghost Gallery’s Laurie Kearney.

This week, Kearney began circulating information on a fundraising effort to help provide stipends to artists participating in the Block Party visual art program.

You can learn more about the drive and its $10,000 goal here: indiegogo.com/GhostArtBlockParty

We’re told Kearney is hoping to be able to organize sponsorship support, grants and possibly financial support from the festival’s backers to augment the artist stipends. And, while the program’s components are nearly set, there will also be a need for more artists to help contribute to projects like a planned graffiti wall.

2012 marks the third year of the expanded three-day format for the Block Party. Bigger names performing this year include Neko Case, Major Lazer and Diplo. Organizers have marketed the festival as “the final” Capitol Hill Block Party with allusions to the Mayan 2012 apocalypse and, possibly, the transitioning nature of the event as it matures into a bigger business and more significant component of Pacific Northwest summer culture.

Capitol Hill Block Party 2011, originally uploaded by spratt504.

Here’s the full statement on the Block Party art program fundraising effort. Kearney has her work cut out for her. The first — and only — contribution made as of this posting far is 25 bucks from yours truly.

Ghost Gallery has been approved to curate the first-ever, innovative visual art program for the 2012 Capitol Hill Block Party! With over 27,000 expected guests, this is a wonderful way to engage our local artistic community and provide a dynamic, interactive environment for visitors of all ages.

 

Since most of the artwork involved will be large format, and/or technological in nature, the cost of materials will be significant for individual artists. Funds raised will be used to provide artist stipends to most, if not all, participating artists. Canvas, Paint, Metal, Projectors, Paper, you name it. It gets expensive. Our goal is to help our artists create what they truly envision for the festival, without being limited by financial constraints.

 

We are creating 3 levels of perks, where donors can receive limited edition tote bags, a bottle of boutiwue wine (for donors 21+), or even your logo on the Art Map!

 

Your contribution will help our artists focus on creating the work, rather than how they are going to pay for it. The impact of integrating a unique, thriving music festival with sophisticated, engaging visual art serves to liven our community as a whole.

 

If you are unable to contribute, you can help us out by spreading the word on Facebook, Twitter, and your own websites! Thank you so much for considering our project~