IDB invites Latin American and Caribbean artists to submit proposals for an exhibition on the theme of Education in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The Division of Education, Social Sector Department, and the Cultural Center of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) invite all artists from the region to submit their artistic work for a contest that seeks to explore, stimulate, and propose creative and artistic alternatives on the subject of education in the natural sciences and mathematics in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Through the hands and eyes of the region’s artists, the Bank hopes to bring attention to mathematics and natural science as essential foundation skills our children need. In today’s knowledge-based societies, understanding basic mathematic and scientific concepts and theories and the capacity to structure and solve scientific questions is more critical than ever. Mathematics and science skills that in the past were only required by a few are necessary to seek employment in today’s global economy.
The exhibition will launch a new IDB initiative focused on creating new policies that improve children’s abilities between the levels of pre-primary and secondary to reach a full development of their potential in math and natural science. The seminar “An Even Start: Numeracy Education in Latin America and the Caribbean” will be held concurrently with the exhibition, with participation of experts in the subject and one of the exhibiting artists. The discussion will be organized around the presentation of an overview of the status of numeracy education in the region, as well as the results of three Bank-financed initiatives.

For the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), education is a right and a requirement for the generation of opportunities. Despite the progress that Latin American and Caribbean countries have achieved in expanding education coverage, challenges associated with quality and equity persist.

Aware of the needs of the region, the IDB has included education among its four priority initiatives, and makes efforts along with organizations in the public and private sectors to create innovative solutions that increase children’s educational level. The early development of numeracy is essential for the development of positive attitudes towards mathematics and science, retention and school attendance, transition to more advanced levels of education, and for the region to prosper and gain a leading position in the world. A solid foundation in mathematics and natural sciences will reduce the disadvantages children in the Region still experience in their education when compared to other world regions, enabling a number of opportunities in academic life, career, and employment. It is proven young people become discouraged and drop out school at twelve years if they are unable to read and apply mathematics. The IDB is committed to resolve this situation, by helping improve primary education to ensure children are proficient in math and science, and to provide them with the skills to face the challenges of the globalized economy.

The exhibition will be held in Washington at the IDB Headquarters, from June 7 to 11, 2010. All artists born in Latin America and the Caribbean regardless of their current place of residence are invited to submit a proposal.
Artist interested in participating in this show should take into account the following rules:
1. The invitation is open to all artists born in Latin America and the Caribbean who desire to participate, regardless of their current place of residence.
2. Each artist must submit a portfolio with the following materials: a) An artist statement explaining your interest in this topic, b) An artist resume (maximum two pages) including relevant information about their artistic career, c) Up to ten (10 ) photographs of works available for exhibition proposals. The following information should include: title, description, dimensions, and medium utilized for each work.
3. The proposed work may not exceed five feet in any direction in the case of two-dimensional works (paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, mixed media) or three feet in any direction to three-dimensional works. Videos will be accepted, which should not exceed 5 minutes length. Installations or multimedia projects others than videos will not be accepted.
4. The portfolio should reflect experience in the natural sciences and mathematics, their impact, or need in individuals, communities, or countries. Portfolios will not be returned.
5. The deadline for submitting portfolios to the IDB Cultural Center expires March 25, 2010.
6. Portfolios should be sent to: Elba Agusti, IDB Cultural Center, 1300 New York Avenue, Washington, DC20577, USA, telephone 1 202 623 1239. Artists must use a courier (type DHL, FEDEX, or similar) for deliveries because the IDB’s regular mail is undergoing a process of decontamination of biological risk and the submitted work can be damaged by radiation.
7. The selected artists will be notified by April 2, 2010.
8. The exhibition will be held from June 7 to June 11, 2010.
9. The Education Unit of the IDB will cover the cost of packing, transport, and insurance, as well as the return of the selected works to their place of origin.
10. A Panel consisted of art experts and officials from the Division of Education and the IDB Cultural Center will select works from the proposals submitted for the exhibition.
11. The works will be exhibited at Headquarters building of the IDB, 1300 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, USA.
12. Simultaneously with the exhibition, the IDB Cultural Center will publish a catalog with the reproduction of all the selected works and biographies of the artists.
13. The winning artist will be invited to the inauguration of the exhibition in Washington, DC, and the Education Division will cover the round trip ticket by plane, and two-day stay Washington, DC.
14. The Education Division, in connection with the IDB Cultural Center, will promote the exhibition in Washington, DC.
15. The sending of portfolios constitute acceptance of these rules.

http://events.iadb.org/calendar/eventDetail.aspx?lang=en&id=1549