REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - A World With All of Us: Community Conversations About Climate Change

Too often, conversations about climate change focus on the dangers and risks to humans and other living organisms, rather than on the hope, shared responsibility of stewardship, and the capacity of human innovation to create lasting, sustainable solutions to the complex problems we face. In the spirit of creating moments of discovery and inspiring purposeful action around climate science, we are requesting proposals for presentations, performances, installations, and demonstrations that meet the following goals:

1. Open the museum as a community space to hold important conversations about science, the natural world, and understanding climate change in the Great Lakes Region.
2. Showcase innovations, ideas, and voices from our community that are tackling the complexities of climate change in diverse ways.
3. Expand the way people are thinking about what makes someone a “scientist” or an “artist,” and redefine the roles each of us can play in transforming our world.

This month-long celebration is centered around the immersive exhibit “World Without Ice”, a stunning collaboration between musicians, composers and artists Michael Gould, Stephen Rush, and Marion Tränkle and climate scientist Henry Pollack (co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with IPCC colleagues and Al Gore). Part science, part music, and part art, the exhibit is a groundbreaking, thought-provoking and compelling multisensory experience. It creates a unique space in which visitors can contemplate Earth’s changing climate, and shape their own perspectives of this ongoing global transformation. No visitor leaves the installation unchanged. Read more and see video of the exhibit online.

Following our “TechTwilight” event happening November 7-9, 2019, we will transform the museum on select evenings and weekends throughout the month into an immersive experience for visitors to understand, explore, and investigate climate change. This pop-up exhibit will be featured at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum throughout the month of November. Selected performers, presenters, and partners will serve to provide additional experiences throughout the museum for adult visitors and families coming for the special exhibit.

Proposal Deadline is September 24, 2019. Proposals must be submitted online and must fall into one of the following categories (estimated time for program delivery/presentations/performances in parentheses):

• Adult-Focused Programming (Weeknights and/or Saturday Evenings in November)
  60-90 minute lectures or presentations about climate science, the Washtenaw County Climate Initiative, and other locally-focused work.
• All-Ages Programs (Weekend Days and Saturday Evenings in November)
  45-minute hands-on workshops, 30-minute shows, or small demonstrations and exhibits that provide interactive opportunities for science investigation, art-making (poetry, music, dance, visual art), inquiry related to climate change and climate science. 
• Music and Art Productions (Days and Evenings, Friday, November 29-Sunday, December 1)
  30-60 minute performances appropriate for any age that highlight climate change, climate resilience, environmental stewardship, or similar topics to be featured during our peak-visitation weekend following Thanksgiving. 

Why should I submit a proposal?

• Have the opportunity to sell or distribute materials that are aligned with the Museum’s mission;
• Be listed on our website, included in all event marketing, featured in our ENews (over 50K people), and highlighted on our Facebook pages (reaching 32K followers);
• Increase visibility with our target audiences (adults and families in the Ann Arbor area) to recruit new members, volunteers, or participants; and
• Complete public engagement requirements relating for research and grant-funded projects.

What are the requirements for proposals?

The request for proposals is open to all. We are eager to highlight the work and contributions of a broad cross-section of our community. People working outside of institutions, on individual projects, or cultivating hobbies and passions in related topics are encouraged to apply. View the online proposal form for all details. Proposals must include:

• Name and contact information for project leaders;
• Information about the project type and availability for presentation/performance dates;
• Project description (including links to photos/videos/supplemental materials) and information about technical and material needs; and
• Agreement to carry out marketing and publicity for the program through presenters’ personal and professional networks.

Proposal deadline is Tuesday, September 24.  Respondents will hear whether their proposal has been selected between October 2 and October 7, 2019. Questions should be directed to Susan Westhoff, Chief Operating Officer: swesthoff@lesliesnc.org.