Submission Deadline: Monday, November 4, 2019 (11:59 EST)

A design competition and installation, unchARTed is sponsored by Downtown Frederick Partnership in cooperation with the Potomac Valley Architecture Foundation, AIA Potomac Valley and the Frederick Arts Council. unchARTed will transform three alleys in Downtown Frederick, MD for one year.

The Partnership is a historic preservation based, economic development nonprofit that works to enhance, promote and preserve the vitality and livability of Downtown Frederick, a national Main Street community. Downtown Frederick is a dynamic and vibrant home to more than 200 retailers/restaurants, a robust arts community and beautiful historic architecture. As a whole, Frederick County welcomes more than 1.4 million visitors each year, the majority of whom spend some time in Downtown Frederick. The downtown also is home to about 7,000 residents.

This competition will result in design installations in specific alleys that will better link the urban fabric of the downtown together. The alleys are dynamic places of movement, rather than focal points. They create the opportunity to knit together Downtown Frederick from within. As a result, this design competition is focused on the following goals: attract locals and visitors to Downtown Frederick, activate the sometimes-forgotten between spaces in Downtown Frederick and create stimulating interactive experiences that are memorable.

The Competition in Brief

Participation in the competition is free and open to everyone. All are encouraged to submit their ideas for design installations in pre-identified Downtown Frederick alleys. Entrants are asked to design a spatial installation that can be used for public events and activities. The design must be safe for general public use and be able to function unattended. The design must be able to be constructed within a seven day time frame. Entrants can pre-fabricate a portion of the installation off-site prior to the seven day time frame.

The winning entrants will build their entries using the prize money. The winning installations will be in place for one year, during which time they will serve as the site of various public events and community activities. unchARTed also will be the focus of significant publicity efforts.

The design installation proposal should activate alleyway spaces in Downtown Frederick, create interactive experiences that are memorable and create stronger connections within Downtown Frederick. Entrants need to consider their ability to construct the project. The Partnership will grant up to three awards of $10,000 each. Selection will focus on design installations that have a high level of design quality, relate to the specific site and best meet the design criteria.

Questions? Email [email protected]

Eligibility

All are invited to participate in the unchARTed design competition from anywhere in the world. Entrants can submit either individually or as a team. Teams have no maximum number of members. Entrants (either an individual or a team) may submit more than one submission. Each submission must be the original work of the entrant and must not have been previously published.

Submissions

Submissions are digital only. No hard copies will be accepted. Participation in the competition is free and open to everyone. Submissions must be uploaded by Monday, November 4, 2019 (11:59 EST). 

Click here for submission guidelines and to submit your design.