Northern Spark 2018
Northern Spark is known as an annual dusk-to-dawn art festival that takes place in early June in different venues across the Twin Cities. In 2018 we are trying something new and holding Northern Spark on 2 consecutive nights until 2 am. (See below). The 2018 theme is Commonality — we ask artists and our communities to consider what we have in common in fractured times. See more here.
Northern Spark Producer
The Producer has overall responsibility to produce the Northern Spark Festival on time and on budget, including but not limited to overseeing planning, installation, presentation, and deinstallation of roughly 35 projects over two nights and two venues. The Producer will hire and work with an Assistant Producer and a Technical Director as well as additional crew before, during and after the Festival.
Location
The primary venues for Northern Spark 2018 are in downtown Minneapolis:
- The Commons
- Minneapolis Central Library
- Nicollet between 4th St. and 8th St.
Northern Spark is producing the nodes at The Commons and Nicollet and collaborating with Hennepin County Library on the Minneapolis Central Library.
Dates and Times
In 2018, Northern Spark will take place over two nights, the third weekend in June only until 2 am:
- Friday, June 15, from 9:02 pm to 2 am
- Saturday, June 16, from 9:02 pm to 2 am
Producer Duties
Producer duties include but are not limited to:
- Hiring crew and support functions
- Review and approval of project specifications and budgets
- Presentation and coordination of artist and partner projects at The Commons and Nicollet
- Coordination of projects with the Hennepin County Central Library
- Work with the City of Minneapolis, The Commons, Downtown Improvement District, Metro Transit, and other appropriate agencies to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and permitting
- Site visits with artists and partners in collaboration with Artistic Director, Co-Director, Projects Manager, and Technical Director
- Lead mandatory artist meetings with Artistic Director and Projects Manager
- Oversight of festival amenities
- Maintenance and management of the festival production schedule
- Attend scheduled staff meetings
- Attend and lead regular production meetings with Co-Directors and staff, as mutually agreed upon.
- Final report on production of the Festival and update of Festival playbook
- Monthly review of budget with Co-Directors
Time Commitment
This job is a based on a flat fee. The time estimates are approximate. Candidates must have a flexible schedule and be available during the day as well as some nights and weekends. Ongoing meetings with Co-Directors and festival partners happen throughout.
January
Av. 10 hours/week
- Putting systems in place
- Updating detailed Festival production plan
- Permits
February
Av. 10 hours/week
- Refining production plan
- Reviewing initial proposals
- Preliminary staffing plan
- Permits
- Contact amenities contractors
March
Av. 20 hours/week
- Ongoing review of project specs
- Artist site visits
- Refine production plan
- Finalize amenities
- Finalize permits
- iring crew
April
Av. 20 hours/week
- Ongoing site visits
- Finalize all project specs and production plan
- Problem solving
May
Av. 30 hours/week
- Execute finalized plans
- Confirm all amenities
June
Av. 40 hours/week through June 21
- Install, present and deinstall Northern Spark
- Oversee clean up of Festival sites
- All budget items processed
- Update Production Playbook
Qualifications
We are looking for a dedicated individual with relevant experience in production, festivals, and the arts, who is committed to working with and supporting artists. Proactive problem solvers who are able to work with bureaucracies will succeed in this position.
Fee
This is a time-limited contract position without benefits. Fee is $10,000.
Northern Lights.mn
Northern Lights.mn supports artists in the creation and presentation of art in the public sphere, focusing on innovative uses of technology to imagine new interactions between audience, artwork and place and explore expanded possibilities for civic engagement. The full range of our work can be browsed here.
We are committed to creating an inclusive, harassment-free workplace and festival experience for everyone regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, appearance, or religion.
Apply
If interested or have questions, send cover letter and resume, or questions, to:
Steve Dietz
This position is open until at least January 8, 2018, and after that will be open until filled.