APAture 2023

You have questions. We have answers.

If by chance our tome below doesn’t address your questions, please email us at apature@kearnystreet.org, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

Eligibility

What kind of art are you looking for? 

We generally feature the following kinds of work:

• Visual Arts: Painting, photography, sculpture, installation, multimedia, illustration, etc.

• Literary Arts: Writing, poetry, spoken word, etc.

• Music: All genres, including electronic, turntable, sound, noise, etc.

• Film: Animation, documentary, experimental, music video, slideshow, etc.

• Performing Arts: Theater, dance, movement, puppetry, comedy, performance art, etc.

• Comics, Zines, and Illustration

What do you mean by “emerging artist”?

We’re looking to feature new artists with fresh points of view. For example, any of the following might describe you:

• You do your art on the side, frequent open mics, and work on collaborative projects. For your efforts, you’re compensated modestly, if at all.

• You’re an art student and just starting to build your portfolio and expand your skill set.

• You take classes, workshops, and other events that help you hone your craft.

• You’re looking for more places and opportunities to showcase your stuff and to meet other artists who could help you make more with what you’ve got!

And while KSW is grateful for our collaborations with established artists, APAture doesn’t focus on artists who can be described as follows:

• You work on your art full-time, make a pretty penny, and show your work frequently both in and outside the Bay Area.

• Your resume is page is long and may include a long list of publishing credentials, getting press in major publications, and/or winning multiple awards (although a few of those accomplishments would be okay!).

• Your reputation in the arts community precedes you!

• We’ve shown your stuff at multiple APAture events in the past.

What do you mean when you say “are of Asian Pacific American descent”?

By that we mean those with Asian Pacific American ancestry from one or more of the following regions: East Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Pacific Islands, and West Asia/the Middle East. We include multi-ethnic and multi-racial artists with Asian Pacific American heritage in our definition.

Are we still eligible to apply if I’m of Asian Pacific American descent but other folks in my group aren’t?

While we value diversity, community building, and collaboration across ethnic and racial lines, the group member of Asian Pacific American descent must have a prominent or at least equal role in the group’s work and presentation.

Do I have to live and work in the San Francisco Bay Area?

Yes. Only those who live and/or work in the Bay Area are eligible for the festival. In rare cases, we’ll consider artists who maintain strong ties to the area.

Why is your target age range 18+?

While artists of all ages are welcome to apply, we’re particularly interested in the Millennial and Gen-X perspectives and want to amplify these voices.

The Application Process

How do I apply and submit my work?

By heading to our submissions page, filling out the appropriate form, and including your work and submission fee in the process (the application will tell you how!). We prefer online submissions, but if absolutely necessary, you can print out the application and mail it to us, along with your work (please do not send originals, only copies!) and submission fee, to:

• Kearny Street Workshop

• Attn: Jason Bayani, Artistic Director

• P.O. Box 14545

• San Francisco, CA 94114

Can I submit more than one application?

Yes, but please note that each unit submission will require its own application and submission fee. To read more on what counts as a unit of art, scroll to the Submitted Work section.

When are submissions due?

July 2, 2023.

What’s a featured artist, and how do I apply to be one?

Featured artists are more established artists we spotlight during the festival. Our general planning committee will reach out to you if we think you’d make a great featured artist. You won’t be able to nominate yourself to be a featured artist, but we welcome you to apply as a general artist.

When will I find out whether or not I’ve been accepted?

We’ll get back to you with a decision in August if you applied to be a general artist, and let you know about the other fun that’s in store if you’re accepted.

What are my chances of getting accepted into the festival?

We anticipate receiving anywhere between 150 and 250 applications. Of this number, we anticipate on selecting between 40 to 60 applicants.

What if I'm not selected?

If you are not selected to showcase in APAture 2023, we encourage you to keep an eye out for other opportunities from Kearny Street Workshop. We have a robust calendar year of presentations and workshops. We hope you will consider participating as an audience member or volunteer. It's a great way to experience local art and strengthen your application for next year.

If you have questions about our selection process, please do not hesitate to contact us at apature@kearnystreet.org. We're happy to offer our feedback.

Submitted Work

Why do you only accept recent works?

We’re looking to feature both new artists and new work, so we require all submissions to have been created within the past three years.

What do you consider a unit of work in each discipline?

We define a unit as:

• Film: A short film or video within 15 minutes

• Literary Arts: A piece of writing that can be read within 10 minutes

• Music: One or more pieces that can be performed within 20 minutes

• Performing Arts: A piece that can be performed within 20 minutes

• Visual Arts: A single gallery piece or a series of related works

We welcome submissions of multiple units, but please note that each unit will require its own application and submission fee.

Can I make changes to the work I submit?

We’re not able to accommodate changes to work, but we do accept works in progress. If that’s the case, please email us at apature@kearnystreet.org and we’ll discuss specifics in more detail.

How do I get my work back after the festival?

We’ll email visual artists to coordinate pick-up during the de-installation process. Other artists who would like to pick up copies of the art they submitted can pick do so at the KSW office by emailing us at apature@kearnystreet.org.

Note: We will keep all work until December 31, 2023, and discard anything unclaimed afterward.

Money Questions

Why do I have to pay a submission fee?

The submission fee is a standard processing fee that helps cover administrative costs. Artists who are accepted into the festival will be refunded the full amount.

How do I pay the submission fee?

The application includes instructions and options on how to pay.

Will I be paid if my work is shown?

Features receive an honorarium in return for specific work and other duties we request from them and there will be a small stipend for all selected showcase artists. For more information about how we select feature artists, scroll to The Application Process and Submitted Work sections of the FAQ.

If my work is shown, will you cover the cost of my transportation to festival events and shipping costs for my work?

No. Artists are responsible for these costs, but we will provide space and certain equipment so that you can present your work during the festival.