Call for Poster Session Submissions

Poster sessions are valuable opportunities to share your work in a visually dynamic presentation that combines both text and graphics. Posters allow you to advertise, inform, and advocate diverse perspectives related to the work that you’re doing. As part of  Rustbelt to Artist Belt : At the Crossroads, a community convening that emphasizes the artist’s role in effecting positive social change, we are hosting a poster session that takes place in two parts. First, the posters will be mounted in time for all attendees to peruse beginning Friday, April 13 at 8:00 am and will remain on display until the convening’s end on Saturday at 5:00 pm. Second, we ask that presenters staff their posters during a set time TBD on Friday and/or Saturday afternoon, so that attendees have an opportunity to share dialogue with you about the work you are presenting.

What to present:

Topics for presentation can cover anything from evaluation and research to project concept and implementation. This is an opportunity for you, outside of the scheduled panel discussions and workshops, to share information and learn about the work of others.

How to apply to present a Poster:

To apply to be part of the Rustbelt to Artist Belt : At the Crossroads poster sessions, please submit the following information:

1. Title

2. Presenters and Co-Presenters (if applicable)

3. Brief Abstract (no more than 500 words)

4. Brief description of your practice, grounded in or through art or media

–Inspirations, resources, references; what is the theoretical and professional groundings for your work; what are the Big Ideas

–Current inquiries and curiosities; what are the Big Questions

–Any special requests (e.g., need an easel to display participant art). (Note: simpler is better! We cannot accommodate any special requests that do not comply with hotel policy).

5. Please indicate which days you will staff your poster (Friday and/or Saturday)

Poster Guidelines: 
We will utilize a wide, waist-high platform built into the wall on the Chase Hotel’s lower level, an area that will see a lot of traffic during the conference. We request that you present your project on free-standing tri-fold cardboard to be placed on the platform, or on a sturdy poster board to be displayed on an easel. These materials can be shipped ahead of time to the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission site.

“Brevity is the soul of wit,” and that is just as true here as it is everywhere else in life. Be concise. Save more elaborate  topics for discussion or handouts. Please be sure to use large, readable font. We advise that the contents of your poster be divided into easy-to-follow sections, as attendees  will either be referring to these in discussion  with you or be reading them between sessions and over breaks. Consider  using colors thoughtfully to enhance readability while not overwhelming. Graphics, particularly given the convening’s  focus, will make your poster more interesting. Another tip is to consider providing a sign-up sheet for a mailing list for those who might be interested in learning more about your work. You are welcome to distribute handouts, but please do so thoughtfully.

Finally, if you have questions about the format guidelines or would like to request special accommodations given the nature of your presentation, please be sure to note that in your proposal. These are simply guidelines, and if you are able to make a compelling case for an alternative standing presentation, we will do our best to accommodate  your vision.

DEADLINE FOR POSTER SESSION PROPOSALS: March 9, 2012. Please note that there is limited space for the Poster Session and an advisory committee will review your submission. We will let you know as soon as possible if your proposal has been accepted.
Please email your proposal as a PDF with POSTER SESSION in the subject line to: christian@stlrac.org

If you have questions about Rustbelt to Artist Belt : At the Crossroads, Arts-Based Community Development Convening, please contact Roseann Weiss, roseann@stlrac.org or Christian Frommelt, christian@stlrac.org