Q: Two Events: Community Sculpture Race & River Festival Race–what’s the difference?
The People’s Sculpture Race & Exhibition at the Cambridge Arts River Festival, usually the first Saturday in June, rain or shine, is a ¾ mile juried race of pushed, pulled, or pedaled sculpture with a following daylong exhibition at the Cambridge Arts River Festival. The festival is an annual celebration with 150,000–200,000 festival-goers. Participants have the opportunity to join in a spectacular, well-attended event, and exhibit their work publicly on Race Day and on the PSR site. Entries are due March 4.
See the website for detailed rules and updates
The Community Sculpture Race & Exhibition at Danehy Park, usually the third Saturday in April, is a ½-mile unjuried race and exhibition of wheeled kinetic sculptures in northwest Cambridge (near Fresh Pond Mall) open to all. We welcome racing sculptures for the race and drawings & prototypes for the exhibition. This is a
Cambridge Science Festival event. (Rocket Day takes place next to the racecourse & exhibition. We will also participate in the Festival’s Science Carnival & Robot Zoo on the second Saturday in April.
Q. I heard there was a ‘cash purse’ in 2017. Is there any hope of funding this year?
A. The New England Foundation for the Arts gave PSR a grant for 2017, part of which was dedicated to be shared equally be participants in the River Festival Race, and some for designers and expenses. That was a one-time grant. Traditionally and looking forward, all activities of staff, artists, and jurors is voluntary.
Q. May I ask a question that isn’t answered on your website?
A. Please feel free to send your questions (and suggestions for the website) to sculptureracing@gmail.com.
Q: Who may participate?
A. River Festival: Anyone may submit a proposal, and may join the race if the proposal is approved.
A. Community Race: Anyone may submit a proposal, and may join the race as long as guidelines are followed.
Q: What is the difference between People’s Sculpture Racing (PSR) and the nationally popular Kinetic Sculpture Racing (KSR) genre?
A: PSR racing sculptures, like those of World Sculpture Racing, favor art, are predominately pushed and pulled, and performatively race along short, flat urban courses. KSR vehicles are all pedaled, and have a stronger engineering focus, because they traverse difficult terrains or obstacles.
Q: I have two left feet. May my friends and extended family race my sculpture?
A: Yes.
Q: I have an old racing sculpture in the loft of my sister-in-law’s barn. It was shown at the Venice Biennale in ’97. Do entries have to be made new and never-before-shown for this event?
A: Take out your oil can! That said, in the case of a work having raced recently, jurors *may* give more weight to new works at their discretion.