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City of Alexandria, VA

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  • Live

    Make the most of Alexandria's outstanding quality of life with information and services of interest to residents.

    • Be Prepared

      Are you ready? Find resources and information to help residents, businesses and visitors to prepare for all types of emergencies, and to stay safe.

      • Flooding Preparedness
      • Snow and Ice Control
      • Hurricane Preparedness
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Health Emergency
    • Community Life

      Learn more about pets and animals, schools and libraries, parks and farmers' markets, community gardens, and more.

      • Community Gardens
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Parks
      • Pets
      • Recreation
    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards and Commissions
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • City Academies
      • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus and Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Water Taxis
    • Historic Preservation

      Historic Alexandria is a treasure trove of early structures, artifacts, and records that creates a unique way of life for its citizens and provides enjoyment for thousands of people who visit this special community every year. The City continues to add resources to its collection of local and nationally designated historic districts.

      • Alexandria History
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Historic Alexandria
      • Historic Districts
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • Building & Construction
      • Business Licenses
      • Health Permits
      • Marriage Licenses
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
    • Parking

      Information about parking in the City of Alexandria, including parking options, enforcement, districts and permits.

      • Contest a Parking Ticket
      • Guest Parking Permits
      • Parking Permits
      • Parking Studies
      • Parking in Old Town
      • Pay a Parking Ticket
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Domestic Violence
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Reproductive Health Freedom
      • Sexual Assault
      • Substance Abuse Prevention
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
      • Women's Initiatives
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving and Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Schools & Libraries

      Did you know that ACPS is one of the most diverse school systems in the country? Our students come from more than 80 different countries, speak more than 60 languages, and represent a myriad of ethnic and cultural groups. The Alexandria Library is an educational, user-oriented service institution providing free public access to recorded knowledge and ideas.

      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Library
      • Child Care
      • Higher Learning
      • Out of School Time Programs
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care Assistance
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Resources
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Utilities

      The City of Alexandria does not operate any public utilities. The following companies are the primary providers of their respective service:

      • Cable TV (Comcast / Xfinity)
      • Drinking Water (Virginia American Water)
      • Electricity (Dominion Energy)
      • Natural Gas (Washington Gas)
      • Sewage/Water Treatment (Alex Renew)
      • Wired Telephone (Verizon)
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  • Play

    Whether you live here or are just visiting, Alexandria is a great place to shop, dine, take in the arts, get outdoors, and just have fun.

    • About Alexandria

      If you are looking for small-town charm and big-city amenities, Alexandria is the place to find them. Alexandria has a fascinating history, and many of its historic buildings are still preserved today. The City's many historic homes, churches, businesses, and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the past that makes it the charming town it is today.

      • Alexandria's History
      • Demographics & Statistics
      • Maps & GIS
      • Visit Alexandria
    • Arts & Culture

      Through engaging the community, encouraging participation, and facilitating access to arts and culture, the City builds a vibrant community for its residents, workers, and visitors.

      • City Concerts
      • City Events
      • Historic Property Rentals
      • Museums & Historic Sites
      • Office of Historic Alexandria
      • Office of the Arts
    • Entertainment

      Find events and activities, shops and restaurants, concerts and performances, arts and culture, historic attractions, parks and libraries, farmers' markets, and more.

      • City Concerts
      • City Events
      • Office of the Arts
      • Visit Alexandria: Things to Do
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Water Taxis
    • Museums & Historic Sites

      Alexandria is a desirable location to live, work and play. The City owns many of the premier historic sites in Alexandria and it is charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past.

      • City Museums
      • Historic Sites & Attractions
      • Office of Historic Alexandria
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront Parks
      • ParkLink Interactive Map
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Visit Alexandria

      Information about visiting Alexandria, including shopping, dining, attractions, accommodations, events listings and more. Plan your visit with an itinerary builder, interactive maps, hotel booking, online restaurant reservations and much more.

      • Group Tours
      • Meet in Alexandria
      • Plan Your Visit
      • Trip Planning Assistance
      • Visitor Center
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  • Services

    We are here to serve you. Browse the topics to the right to learn more about the programs and services we offer.

    • Alex311

      Connect with professional and knowledgeable staff for City service and information requests from every City department.

      • Missed Collection
      • Parking
      • Potholes
      • Street Cleaning
      • Trash & Recycling Containers
      • Trees
      • Yard Waste / Bulky Items Pickup
    • Animals

      What you need to know about animals, pets and wildlife in Alexandria.

      • Animal Adoption
      • Animal Control
      • Dog Parks
    • Buildings & Construction

      The City provides services to residents, businesses, contractors, and visitors needing permits for constructions and other developments.

      • Building Codes
      • City Code
      • Code Administration
      • Green Building
      • Land Use & Zoning
      • Permit Center
      • Permits & Land Use Applications
    • Environment

      "Green" initiatives, air quality, noise, water conservation, mosquito and rodent control.

      • Air Quality
      • Clean Waterways
      • Climate Change
      • Eco-City Alexandria
      • Green Building
      • Mosquito Control
      • Noise Control
      • Rodent Control
      • Stormwater Management
    • Jobs
      • City Government Jobs
      • Alexandria City Public Schools
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Collective Bargaining
    • Maps & GIS

      Geographic Information Systems (GIS) centrally manages, shares and analyzes information about locations through specialized mapping technology. This information increases transparency, improves many City technology applications and provides critical data to decision makers and the public.

      • Interactive Maps
      • Open Data
      • Standard Maps
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Property & Housing

      The City administers various housing-related programs and services.

      • Housing Master Plan
      • Landlord & Property Manager Resources
      • Maps & GIS
      • Office of Housing
      • Parcel Viewer
      • Real Estate Assessments
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Emergency Mental Health Services
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Reproductive Health Freedom
      • Sexual and Domestic Violence Services
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
      • Women's Initiatives
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving & Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care
      • Children & Families
      • Discrimination & Disabilities
      • Gang & Youth Violence Prevention
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Assistance
      • Human Rights
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Transportation Planning
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  • Business

    Ideally located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is nationally recognized as one of the best places to live and do business on the east coast. Learn how we can help you start or relocate your business in Alexandria, and access resources for existing businesses and commuters.

    • Business Resources

      The City provides services and resources to help existing businesses expand within the City and promotes recruiting new businesses in Alexandria.

      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • BIPOC Small Business Program
      • Doing Business with the City
      • New Business Guide
      • Public-Private Partnerships
    • Jobs

      Alexandria offers wide range of job opportunities and services. Work for City government or City Public Schools, find out about an internship opportunity or learn about workforce development and career training options.

      • City Government Jobs
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Collective Bargaining
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • APEX Permitting & Land Use System
      • Business Licenses
      • Business Outdoor Program & Permits
      • Health Permits
      • Permit Center
      • Zoning Information
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Business License Tax
      • Business Personal Property Tax
      • Lodging Tax
      • Meal Tax
      • Payments
      • Real Estate Assessment Search
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Sales Tax
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Getting Around
      • Vehicle Registration
      • GO Alex Commuter Resources
      • Parking in Alexandria
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  • Government

    Learn more about Alexandria's accountable, effective, and well-managed government.

    • City Council

      The Alexandria City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large for three-year terms. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government.

      • City Council Calendar
      • Communicate with City Council
      • Council Assignments
      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Speak at a Meeting
    • Boards & Commissions

      The City of Alexandria has a strong commitment to citizen participation as evidenced by the number of citizen boards and commissions established by City Council. These bodies compose a formal system through which citizens can advise City Council on all major issues affecting the City.

      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Apply for a Board or Commission
      • Boards & Commission Calendar
      • Boards & Commission Vacancies
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Board of Zoning Appeals
      • Planning Commission
      • Park & Recreation Commission
      • Transportation Commission
    • Departments & Agencies

      View a list of City departments, offices and other agencies, and learn about their role in the organization.

      • City Government Departments & Offices
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
      • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA)
      • Alexandria Transit Company (DASH)
      • Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA)
      • Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • Visit Alexandria (Official Tourism Site)
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Police Department
      • Fire Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Courts
      • Office of Emergency Management
      • Emergency & Customer Communications
      • Community Policing Review Board
    • Elected Officials

      Alexandria voters elect a Mayor and City Council and three local officers, as well as state and federal representatives.

      • City Council
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • Commonwealth's Attorney
      • Sheriff
      • Voting in Alexandria
    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards & Commissions
      • City of Alexandria Academy Programs
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Transparency

      The City government acts with integrity in an open process, and provides timely access to clear, trustworthy information, presented and employed by all parties from the beginning to the end of the process, including the reasoning that leads to and supports the policy conclusion.

      • Operating Budget & Capital Improvement Program
      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Performance Analytics
      • Alexandria's Strategic Plan
      • Race & Social Equity
      • Community Policing Review Board
      • Collective Bargaining
      • City Code
      • Open Data
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  • Projects & Plans

    Much of our work involves creating and improving infrastructure and planning for the future. Learn more about major projects and plans here, and how you can get involved!

    • Arts & Culture

      Information about arts, culture and historic projects in the City.

      • Arts & Culture Master Plan
      • Public Art Implementation Plan
    • Development

      Information about commercial and residential development projects in the City.

      • Landmark/Van Dorn Area Planning
      • North Potomac Yard Implementation / Virginia Tech Innovation Campus
      • Potomac River Generating Station Redevelopment
    • Environmental

      Information about environmental and "green" projects in the City.

      • 500 Block N. Pitt St. Sewer Separation Project
      • Flood Action Alexandria
      • Franklin St. Sewer Relocation Project
      • Holmes Run Trail Repairs
      • Lucky Run Stream Restoration
      • Oronoco Outfall Remediation Project
      • Wheeler Ave. Sanitary Sewer Pipe Relining
      • Windmill Hill Park Project - Phase II
    • Neighborhoods

      Information about neighborhood projects in the City.

      • Alexandria West Planning
      • Duke Street and West Taylor Run Project
      • Eisenhower Avenue Metrorail Station Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
      • King-Callahan-Russell Intersection Improvement Project
      • Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets
    • Parks & Recreation

      Information about parks and recreation projects in the City.

      • Beauregard Street Multi-Use Trail Project
      • Bicycle Parking
      • Eugene Simpson Park Renovation Projects
      • Joseph Hensley Park Renovation
      • Old Cameron Run Trail Project
      • Robinson Terminal South Update: Historic Ship Stabilization
    • Public Facilities

      Information about public facilities projects in the City.

      • Alexandria Waterfront
      • King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvement Project
      • Municipal Broadband
      • Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project
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      Information about social services projects and plans in the City.

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      • The Partnership to Prevent & End Homelessness
    • Transportation

      Information about transportation projects and plans in and around the City.

      • Adaptive Traffic Signal Control
      • Alexandria Mobility Plan
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      • Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project
      • Smart Mobility
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Events & Public Space Activations (EPSA)

The Events & Public Space Activations (EPSA) team is a part of the Office of the Arts and is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences in public spaces. Follow EPSA on Instagram @alexartsoffice (#artsALX) to see upcoming events. 
Page updated on May 26, 2023 at 5:21 PM

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Alexandria’s Mobile Art Lab

Alexandria's Mobile Art Lab

Launched in 2014 by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and equipped with traditional and innovative art supplies and equipment, the Mobile Art Lab (MAL) employs artists to engage the community through the visual and performing arts, and gives artists a platform to expand their artistry. One of the Mobile Art Lab's guiding principles is equity and ensuring that all residents of Alexandria have equitable access to arts and culture. A second guiding principle is creating meaningful relationships with the community. Therefore, the primary focus is serving communities in Alexandria where there are less arts and culture programs as part of larger outdoor public space activations. Using these guiding principles, the Mobile Art Lab provides opportunities for artists to connect directly with community members. We are here to create meaningful experiences for you and your neighbors, and bring art experiences to neighborhoods of Alexandria where an association or organization is not producing arts and culture programs. Follow the @alexartsoffice for up to date information on where to find us!
 

How to Apply to be an Artist for a MAL art activation

If you are an artist who would like to work with the Mobile Art Lab, please complete an Application to Participate in Events.

 

How to request the MAL for your neighborhood

If you would like Mobile Art Lab to visit your neighborhood, please complete the Request Form. You will be contacted if the Mobile Art Lab is available to fulfill your request.

How to Participate with EPSA

Art Project
Art Project at Waterfront Park

Ongoing Call for Artists & Vendors

Events & Public Space Activations welcomes inquiries from visual and performing artists and food and beverage vendors who would like to participate in our programming. Please complete the Application to Participate in Events to be considered. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

 

 

 


2019 Performance by Orange Grove Theory
2019 Performance at "Mirror Mirror" by Orange Grove Dance

 

WATERFRONT PARK: PERFORMING ARTS RESIDENCIES 

Request for Qualifications 

Submission Deadline: Extended to Friday June 9, 2023 by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time 

Email your qualifications to daniel.guzman@alexandriava.gov

Download RFQ

The City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts is seeking two performing artists or artist groups/organizations to develop and perform new work for Waterfront Park. These site-specific residencies are opportunities to collaborate with the Office of the Arts on the creation of an original site-specific performance in response to the new temporary public artwork Two Boxes of Oranges and Admonia Jackson by Nina Cooke John that has been installed at Waterfront Park and will be on view until November of 2023. One opportunity is for dance or movement-based work and the other is for music or sound-based work.  

The selected artists or artist groups/organizations will be commissioned to create a new site-specific work through a residency process, beginning with a period of site research and exploration, followed by proposing a direction for the work, time developing and rehearsing the performance, and a minimum of four scheduled public performances. Two Boxes of Oranges and Admonia Jackson is the fifth artwork commissioned in Site See: New Views in Old Town, an annual exhibition series that brings residents and visitors to Waterfront Park to interact with contemporary art where the city’s historic main street meets the riverfront. Site See began in 2019 with the park’s opening and has become a successful and integral element of the park’s program, attracting visitors, fostering interaction, providing a visual anchor for the space, and enriching the experience of Alexandria’s waterfront. 

 

Background and Context 

About Alexandria’s Public Art Program 

Alexandria’s Public Art Program has built a reputation for working with artists in innovative ways to realize new projects. The Program’s vision is for public art to enrich the experience of Alexandria’s past, celebrate the spirit of Alexandria’s present and shape the identity of Alexandria’s future. 

For more information about the Public Art Program visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/PublicArt  

 

About Waterfront Park 

Waterfront Park opened in 2019 and is an interim public park at the foot of King Street, historic Old Town’s main commercial street.  The portions of King Street that join the park have been designated as a pedestrian-only plaza, with shopping and dining in the street. The new park serves as the keystone to the revitalization of the Potomac River waterfront in Alexandria. It features an open plaza, a waterfront promenade, shade structures and modular space that can adapt to different uses throughout the year.  

The park is adjacent to the Torpedo Factory Art Center – a former munitions plant that is now a lively arts center with over 80 working artists’ studios, galleries, and other arts organizations. This area is also a regional water taxi service hub, connecting Alexandria with the National Mall, Georgetown, the Wharf in Southwest D.C., National Harbor in Maryland and George Washington’s Mt. Vernon in Virginia. 

The interim Waterfront Park combines the original King Street Park and Waterfront Park sites to create a seamless transition between Old Town’s historic retail corridor and the water. 

 

About the Site/See Exhibition Series and Two Boxes of Oranges & Admonia Jackson 

Since 2019, the Site See installations have played an important role in the success of Waterfront Park, providing engaging and interactive visual anchors that received accolades from the public and the press.  

While developing her piece Two Boxes of Oranges and Admonia Jackson, Cooke John was inspired by the remains of 18th century ships found at the Hotel Indigo site and the Robinson Terminal South site in 2015 and 2018. She was intrigued with the form and texture of the wrecks themselves, as well as the ways archeological excavations and sites reveal layers of history. 

The installation she has created for Waterfront Park forms an abstracted ship’s hull with steel vertical elements that rise and bend, referencing the curve of the hull’s frame. The vertical elements spread across the site to form the rough outline of a ship. Visitors can stand within the space and imagine a working waterfront and a time in Alexandria’s history when the ships carried not only cargo like tobacco, molasses, rum and limes, but also enslaved people who were traded as part of the transatlantic and domestic slave trades. 

 A full description of the work and renderings can be found at https://siteseealx.com/installations.  

 

Goals and Process 

Each year, The Office of the Arts develops a line-up of public programming to accompany Site See, which will include pop-up programming facilitated through its Mobile Art Lab, performances created through the Performing Arts Residencies, and more. The intent of this programming is to support the Site See installations and further activate Waterfront Park, foster engagement and interaction with the temporary artwork, and attract visitors to experience the temporary artwork. 

 

Performing Arts Residencies’ Goals 

Work created through each Performing Arts Residency should: 

  • Feature or explore themes, topics, materials, and/or concepts related to Two Boxes of Oranges & Admonia Jackson; 

  • Engage with the physical presence and impact of Two Boxes of Oranges & Admonia Jackson; 

  • Capture the public’s imagination; 

  • Highlight and activate the park; and 

  • Attract new and repeat visitors to the park.  

 

Process 

Once the selected artists or artist groups/organizations are under contract they will begin a two to three week long immersive period of site research and exploration, which will include access to Office of the Arts staff and consultants, Nina Cooke John, and other City staff or partners for conversations. The artist or artist group/organization will then propose to Office of the Arts staff a direction and a schedule/timeline for the original site-specific piece they will create and perform. Once this direction and schedule/timeline is approved by staff, the artist or artist group/organization will develop the piece and conduct rehearsals, according to the agreed-upon schedule/timeline. The artist or group/organizations will work with Office of the Arts staff to schedule at least four public performances to take place during the period from August to November 2023.  

The selected artists or artist group/organizations will have access to the site in Waterfront Park for rehearsals and other preparatory activities, but the site will also be open to the public and rehearsals/activities will be in public view. The Office of the Arts may also be able to arrange for access to free, indoor rehearsal space.  

 

Artist or Artist Group/Organization Responsibilities 

The artist or artist group/organization selected for each residency will: 

  • Collaborate with the Office of the Arts to create an original, site-specific dance and/or movement-based performance or music/sound-based piece, approximately 7 to 10 minutes in length, that is in response to or in conversation with ideas and topics explored in Nina Cooke John’s temporary public artwork Two Boxes of Oranges & Admonia Jackson and engages with its physical presence and impact.  

  • Provide a brief written narrative description of the commissioned performance. 

  • Work with the Office of the Arts to schedule a minimum of four performances at Waterfront Park during the period August to November 2023. Performances should be minimum of approximately 30 minutes in length and must include the commissioned site-specific piece, and can also include performance of work previously created by the artist or artist group/organization and/or work created by others, as appropriate and approved by staff.  

  • Work with the Office of the Arts to document and archive the performances and the process.  

  • Provide any additional equipment needed. 

  • Help promote the performances. 

 

Office of the Arts Responsibilities 

The Office of the Arts and its City partners will provide access to the site and a green room/staging area nearby for performances and rehearsals, parking for performances and rehearsals, permits, marketing and communications, and project management support.  

The Office of the Arts will also: 

  • Approve the direction for the original site-specific work before the artist or artist group/organization embarks on further development of the idea. 

  • Facilitate conversations between Nina Cooke John and the selected artists or groups/organizations. 

  • Work with the selected artist or group/organization to develop and schedule the public performances, including approving any additional content selected for performance. 

  • Provide videography and photography of the performances for documentation and media purposes. The selected artists must have rights to use any recorded material included in the piece. 

  • Promote the performances. 

  • Provide an 8-channel mixer with two 15" powered speakers (with stands) and 2 microphones (with stands) that may be used by the selected artist. 

  • If possible, provide rehearsal space, if requested by artist. 

 

Selection Process 

A jury organized by the Office of the Arts will review submissions and select one artist or artist group/organization for the dance/movement performing arts residency and one artist or artist group/organization for the music/sound performing arts residency. The jury or staff may choose to interview candidates before making a final selection.   

 

Budget 

The artist or group/organization selected for each residency will receive an all-inclusive fee of $8000 to develop the original, site-specific work and provide a minimum of four scheduled performances on site at King Street Waterfront Park within the period of August to November 2023.  

 

Eligibility 

This residency is open to all contemporary artists and artist groups/organizations, age 18 and older, based in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, and the District of Columbia who work in the fields of dance and movement-based work, including but not limited to choreographers, directors, dancers, dance companies, professors and students of dance or music, composers, musicians, DJs, and interdisciplinary artists. 

 

Anticipated Schedule  

Deadline for Submission: Extended to Friday June 9, 2023 by 11:59 PM 

Artists Selected: Extended to Wednesday June 14, 2023  

Artists Contracts: Finalized by mid June 

Artist Immersion Period (Site Research & Exploration): June - July 

Artists Submit Proposals for Review: Early August  

Schedule of Performances: August - November 2023 

 

To Submit 

Please submit the following in a single PDF file to daniel.guzman@alexandriava.gov by Friday June 9, 2023 by 11:59 PM EST: 

  1. Cover Sheet with name, address, phone number, website and e-mail address of the artist or artist group/organization applying.  Indicate if you would like to be considered for the Dance/Movement Residency or the Music/Sound Residency. If a group/organization, designate and name a lead artist who will be the main point of contact.  

  1. Letter of Interest of no more than 2 pages indicating your experience developing original work and your preliminary approach to the residency.  If a group/organization, also briefly describe your history of working together. 

  1. Resume/CV of no more than 3 pages. If a group/organization, include the resume/CV for the designated lead artist and up to three additional resumes of no more than three pages each. 

  1. Web links for up to five video or sound clips of performances or compositions by the artist or group/organization.  Videos or sound clips must be online and cannot be files that must be downloaded to access.  For each clip provide a 1-2 sentence description, including the name of the performers and/or creators and the year.  

  1. Names and contact information for three professional references.  

  1. Any information already known about your availability from June to November 2023, including weeks/months you would prefer to work and perform. 

 

Questions  

For questions about this opportunity, please contact daniel.guzman@alexandriava.gov .  

Follow on Social Media

The Events & Public Space Activations (EPSA) team is a part of the Office of the Arts and is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences in public spaces. Follow EPSA on Instagram @alexartsoffice (#artsALX) to see upcoming events. 

 

Events Calendar

 Download the May Events Calendar as a PDF

Updated Office of the Arts May 2023 calendar

 

 

 

 

May with OA's Mobile Art Lab

 

 

 

 

 

Special Event Permits

The City of Alexandria's Special Events Policy governs the special event permitting process and is managed by the Events & Public Space Activations team. For more information on how to obtain a permit for a special event, click here.

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