THE 11TH ANNUAL MISSOULA MONSTER PROJECT
Seeking adult artists to create original Monster Art inspired by the work of Missoula kindergarteners!
ABOUT THE MISSOULA MONSTER PROJECT:
The Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) and the Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) Fine Arts Department are excited present the Eleventh Annual Missoula Monster Project (11 years, WOW)! Originally conceived by a nine-year-old art student, this show is a collaboration between youth and adult artists, where the adults create “monster art” based on monsters dreamed up by kindergartners.
Kindergarten classes from 3 Missoula County Public Schools – Franklin, Jeannette Rankin, & Chief Charlo – created original monster drawings for adult artists to reimagine. The ZACC is seeking artists to use their unique style to create a new piece of art inspired by the child's original piece. The original monsters will be shown side-by-side with the monster art recreated and donated by local artists in the ZACC Main Gallery this October.
The 11th Annual Missoula Monster Project raises funds to support arts education in both Missoula County Public Schools classrooms and ZACC classrooms through the sale of adult monsters! The proceeds will be split equally between MCPS Fine Arts department and ZACC's youth art education programs to help keep youth arts education within reach for all. We are asking artists to donate 100% of the proceeds of their monster artwork towards this cause.
The Missoula Monster Project begins with an extraordinary celebration on the First Friday in October (this year it's Friday, October 3). Mark your calendars so you can experience all the monster excitement – the opening is free and open to all!
RECEIVING YOUR MONSTER:
Once you apply, ZACC staff will send you an email through Submittable including:
– The first name and associated school for the child artist;
– An attached image of the child’s original monster art;
– Information about the Monster's personality, as provided by the child artist.
EXPECT A CONFIRMATION EMAIL WITHIN 2-3 DAYS OF APPLYING*. CHECK YOUR SPAM AS WELL AS YOUR MAIN INBOX (and remember to look for Submittable, not ZACC!). Please be patient. It can take several days to email monster information to artists. Each monster is unique, emails are sent individually. You can log into your Submittable account and review your submission. (Menu > Submissions > Missoula Monster Project 2025 - Adult Art Call > Activity &/or Messages).
If you have not received your monster assignment via email and are not able to find it in Submittable after a week, please email jules@zootownarts.org.
*Monster assignment emails will begin to go out on Monday June 23, 2025.
RULES FOR PARTICIPATION/ARTWORK:
By signing up for this project, you agree to adhere to the following project rules.
AGE: Participating artists must be 18 years or older.
QUALITY: The Missoula Monster Project raises funds for a good cause and shows kids first hand it's possible to turn things from one's imagination into fine art. We ask that you please have fun while recreating your monsters, and to please make a quality piece that can stand the test of time in its new owner’s home.
- Please do not use trash or anything perishable to create your monster.
- Please do not use scotch tape or hot glue; these materials break easily.
- Please frame 2D paper monsters. Paper images with wire (or another less permanent hanging system) taped to the back of the piece will not be accepted.
SIZE REQUIREMENTS: Finished pieces must have a MAX dimension of 8”h x 8”w x 6”d, including frames/shelves.
With hundreds of monsters hung on limited wall space, we ask that monsters stay within the required dimensions.
*If an artist submits a monster larger than the provided dimensions, the ZACC reserves the right to turn it away or adjust the monster art to ensure it meets the requirements, including but not limited to trimming, reframing, cutting, adjusting, etc.
READY TO HANG: Monster art must be ready to hang. The hanging system should be tested so monsters can live on a wall or shelf in their new home for many years. If your monster is 3D* you must provide a shelf or build a hanging system that can attach to the wall and bear the weight of your piece. E.g. textile/felted monsters may have a loop stitched to their head/back.
MEDIA: 2D and 3D media are welcome! Examples of media used in the past include pen & ink, ceramic, paint, textile, felting, metalwork, sculpture, encaustic, jewelry, and more. Please do not use anything perishable, scotch tape, hot glue, or trash.
DEADLINE: Deliver monster artworks to the ZACC front desk between August 25 and September 8, 2024.
*Unless prior communication has occurred, if your monster is not received by 6 PM, September 8th, it will be reassigned to another artist for completion.
••Please be mindful of this dropoff window and do not drop monsters off early. We have limited space available, and true to nature they like to play tricks in our storage room!
REMEMBER, IT'S FOR THE KIDS: The child who drew the monster you are reimagining is so excited to see your work. By signing up, you have committed to this project.
IMPORTANT DATES
– Registration Deadline: July 15, 2024
– Drop Off Dates: August 25 through September 8, 2024
– MMP Opening: First Friday, October 3, 2024 / 5-8 PM
Laura Grace Barrett Residency Program
Laura Grace Barrett Printmaking residencies are available from 1 week - 3 months depending on the needs of the artist. The ZACC’s selection committee will choose new residents throughout the year depending on availability. The selections are based on the quality of the work, its artistic merit, background, and stage of career development.
Resident Benefits
Long and Short-term Residents work alongside our Community Artists and receive 24 -hour access to the ZACC Print Shop, semi-private studio space (approximately 125 sq. ft.), a locker, flat file space, plus advice & assistance from printshop manager and printmaking community.
Paid Opportunities
Resident artists are encouraged to teach classes as a way to share their knowledge and experiences, as well as to interact with our local Missoula community.
More Opportunities
Residents are encouraged to put work up for sale in our sales gallery, and all long-term residents are invited to present a solo exit show near the end of their residency.
Expectations
The ZACC expects that each resident will contribute approximately 5 hours a week in studio and gallery maintenance. This contribution may include such general studio tasks as cleaning and organizing the studio, gallery assistance, class assistance, assisting with studio improvements, and performing other duties and special projects as needed. Residents are also asked to assist with the production of fundraising events and are often called upon to offer technical or creative advice to studio artists, interns, and students.
Printmaking Disciplines Supported
screen printing, intaglio, relief, monotype, collagraph, mixed media, and letterpress and experimental practices.
LGB Printshop Equipement
Monarch Letterpress
4 color Odyssey 4400 screen printing press
5 portable screen printing presses
Vactor LED Vacuum Exposure Unit w/ digital timer
Eco Dunk Tank
Poly Backlit Washout Sink w/ backlight system
Laguna Etching Press Model 2648 26” x 48” Bedplate
Conrad Press 16” x 32” Bedplate
And
water baths, tear bar, spatulas, large work tables, inking table, felts, squeegees, brayers, carving tools, rags, oil for cleanup, drying racks, clean towels, screen coater, screen cleaner.
Residents are responsible for all other materials needed to complete prints.
ZACC Print Shop Contract – Intern
Agreement Details: Term of Internship – 2 Month Minimum
The ZACC offers Interns free access during open hours in exchange for 8 hours of work a week in the ZACC Print Shop and/or Gallery.
Interns are required to assist with one or more of the following duties per week:
Screen printing at First Friday events
Wednesday evening and/or Saturday office hour coverage
Printmaking birthday parties
Print Shop upkeep and maintenance
Summer camp help
After school art camps
Adult instruction assistance
Instruction
Gallery prep & hanging
Gallery storage organization
Print Shop Access:
Interns agree to accessing the ZACC Public Print Shop, and associated wash-out room, during regular hours of operation, Monday through Friday 10 AM-6 PM, Wednesday 6-8 PM and Sunday from 12-4 PM.
*Supplies provided for your use (included w/ access): Paper baths, clean paper area, spatulas, inking table, felts, Squeegees, brayers, carving tools, rags, oil for cleanup, drying racks, ferric chloride bath, clean towels, emulsion screen coater, donated materials and screen cleaner.
Supplies you should bring (not included w/ access):
Photo emulsion, ink, substrates to carve (silk screens, wood blocks, linoleum, plastic, aluminum, or copper) and paper or other substrates to print on.
Care of the Space:
Interns agree to thoroughly clean up after themselves following each use of the Print Shop &/or the wash-out room. It is the expectation that the space be returned to its original state (before use) so other patrons may use the space without fear of damaging personal supplies or artworks. Print Shop users agree to treat the ZACC Print Shop with the same respect they would treat their own home or studio. They agree to follow signs posted throughout the print shop, and use the check-out list as a guideline while cleaning.
Care of the Equipment:
Print Shop Interns agree to follow all guidelines and safety instructions, provided both written and verbally, when working with ZACC Print Shop equipment. In the event that a Print Shop Intern discovers an issue with any piece of Print Shop equipment, they agree to immediately report the damage to ZACC staff (Print Shop Manager, Director of Operations, or Front Desk Associate). If the damage is not reported to staff, and damage is found after Print Shop use, Print Shop Interns understand and agree that their privileges will be revoked, and they may be held financially responsible for the damage.
Collection of Completed Work:
Print Shop Interns are required to collect any work left in the drying racks within 48 hours of their Print Shop session. Unless previous arrangements have been made, any items left behind for more than 48 hours after their Print Shop use will be subject to disposal at the discretion of the ZACC.
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Policy
The ZACC Print Shop is alcohol, tobacco, and drug free, and absolutely no illegal substances or unpermitted alcohol are allowed anywhere on ZACC property. Cigarette smoking is permitted only in designated smoking areas outside. Smokers must keep at least 10 feet away from entrances. All cigarette butts must disposed of in trash receptacles.
Established in 2010, the ZACC houses four community art galleries. All four galleries provide space for artists to examine new visual narratives and engage deeply with visual arts while exploring the diversity and vitality of the arts in Western Montana and beyond. All media are welcome including: printmaking. installation, music, ceramics, dance, poetry, painting, media arts, sculpture, fiber arts, encaustics, and glass. Gallery exhibitions are accompanied with programming and a reception when applicable.
What you need: gallery proposal, artist statement, artist bio and press-quality jpegs of your work.
ZACC Main, The Blackfoot Communications Gallery and Youth Galleries are available for monthly solo or group shows.
The Phantom Gallery is reserved for Laura Grace Barrett Resident Artists and Pop Up events.
Community Engagement Opportunities: Gallery Walks, Gallery Talks, Artist Workshops and or Demonstrations are encouraged.
Accept or Decline notifications will be sent within one month from submission date. If your proposal is accepted we will arrange a meeting and review a ZACC Gallery Contract and select all meaningful dates for your show. Exhibition submissions should not include work/s that have previously been shown at the ZACC.