Calling all writers and artists! The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience is launching a graphic novel project, and they're looking for a professional artist and writer to help make it happen. The project, entitled Inspiring Future Generations: Challenging the Forced Incarceration through Acts of Resistance, shares the history and significance of the Japanese American Resisters story.
The Wing is working with community stakeholders to develop content for a graphic novel, stand-alone chapter and curriculum guide, which will be distributed to schools and libraries and through the museum. An animated short produced by the Seattle Channel will also be made based on the stand-alone chapter.
This project is the second in a series of graphic novels. The first book Fighting for America: Nisei Soldiers by Lawrence Matsuda and Matt Sasaki, told the story of six World War II Japanese American military veterans.
Required materials for the submission deadline must be received no later than 4:30pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. For further information about the project, including the submission process, selection criteria and scope of work, view the two requests for qualifications below.
CALL FOR WRITERS – REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
Inspiring Future Generations: Challenging the Forced Incarceration through Acts of Resistance
Graphic Novel
Deadline: Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 4:30pm. Applications must be received by the deadline, no postmarks.
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience (The Wing) seeks one (1) professional writer to write the text and related curriculum for a graphic novel to share the history and significance of the Japanese American Resisters during World War II.
The Wing is working with community stakeholders to develop content for a graphic novel, stand-alone chapter and curriculum guide, which will be distributed to schools and libraries, through The Wing and other outlets. An animated short produced by the Seattle Channel will also be made based on the stand-alone chapter.
The Wing will be facilitating ongoing meetings with a group of 14 community members to guide the project. This project is generously supported by the National Park Service Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program.
MUSEUM BACKGROUND
The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience (The Wing) is the only pan-Asian Pacific American museum in the nation, the first Smithsonian Institution affiliate in the Pacific Northwest, and an Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. Our mission is to connect everyone to the rich history, dynamic cultures and art of Asian Pacific Americans through vivid storytelling and inspiring experiences. The Wing is nationally recognized for its community-based exhibition model. For more information on our community-based process, visit our website (http://www.wingluke.org/; see LEARN tab; then Community Process).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The stories of Japanese Americans who fought for Constitutional and civil rights by challenging the forced incarceration and military draft during World War II are ones of courage, valor and sacrifice. Deemed “disloyal” by both the U.S. government and some within the Japanese American community, these Resisters became outcasts. Those who defied the forced removal were arrested and imprisoned. So called “No-No Boys” and renunciants were segregated in the Tule Lake concentration camp. And those who resisted the military draft were sent to federal prison. Resisters in the military, legal challengers, and protesters within the concentration camps reflect the many different ways Japanese Americans resisted the World War II incarceration.
Through their experiences and actions, we explore what it means to be an American; come to greater understanding the words “liberty and justice for all”; and are inspired to protect Constitutional and civil rights today, ensuring that these injustices never happen again. The stories of the Resisters present the other, necessary, side to those who chose to serve in the military and are indelibly linked to the Japanese American confinement sites.
Through "Inspiring Future Generations: Challenging the Forced Incarceration through Acts of Resistance," The Wing will connect these uncommonly told confinement site stories to the present and future generations through creation of a graphic novel based on the challenges of and sacrifices made by approximately five World War II Japanese American Resisters.
Interpretation and Education through Graphic Novel, Stand-Alone Chapter, Animated Short and Curriculum Guide The graphic novel will be comprised of five chapters, each based on a real life World War II Japanese American Resister. An example is Seattle-born Gene Akutsu, a second-generation (Nisei) born in Seattle who spent his pre-war childhood in Seattle’s Japantown (Nihonmachi), was incarcerated at the Minidoka concentration camp, refused to participate in the military draft, and was imprisoned at McNeil Island Penitentiary.
In addition to the graphic novel, a stand-alone chapter and animated video short focused on the experience of one (1) Resister will be produced. A curriculum guide that can be used both with the full graphic novel as well as the stand-alone chapter and animated video short to provide best flexibility for classroom use will also be created. In addition to distribution of the graphic novels and curriculum at schools and libraries and at The Wing, a project website page will be created to provide access to the novel, stand-alone chapter, animated video short and curriculum further extending the project’s impact.
This project is the second in a series of graphic novels. The first told the story of six World War II Japanese American military veterans. For more about the project, Fighting for America: Nisei Soldiers, visit its website page at: http://www.wingluke.org/fighting-for-america.
SCOPE OF WORK
This project includes:
- Text for graphic novel and curriculum guide as per deliverables schedule
- Consultation with The Wing staff, project illustrator, and review by the community committee
- Coordination with the Seattle Channel team for production of the animated video short
- Deliverables include: text drafts and final text for graphic novel and curriculum guide
- The size and page number of the graphic novel is TBD.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Selection criteria will be based on demonstrated excellence in writing, collaborative experience, and experience with Asian Pacific American communities. Prior experience writing graphic novels, comic books or poetry is preferred. Familiarity with the Resisters experience and Japanese American incarceration is preferred. K-12 education experience preferred.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
This Call is open to Writers residing in the U.S. Please submit:
- Cover letter (no more than 2 pages)
- Resume
- 1-2 samples of previous work, printed hard copies or on a CD or emailed, of relevant work to the project
- Annotated publication list (including publication, and title and date of work)
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage for return of CD. The Wing will make every effort to protect submitted materials; however, the Museum will not be responsible for any loss or damage.
Please mark clearly on your cover letter “Resisters Graphic Novel” and/or email subject line for your submission’s consideration.
Please send submissions to:
Wing Luke Museum
Resisters Project
Attention: Cassie Chinn
719 South King Street
Seattle, WA 98104
Email: cchinn@wingluke.org
Submission deadline:
Required materials must be received no later than 4:30pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. Applications must be received by the deadline, no postmarks. We will not review incomplete or late submissions.
CALL FOR ARTISTS – REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
Inspiring Future Generations: Challenging the Forced Incarceration through Acts of Resistance
Graphic Novel
Deadline: Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 4:30pm. Applications must be received by the deadline, no postmarks.
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience (The Wing) seeks one (1) professional artist to illustrate and design a graphic novel to share the history and significance of Japanese American Resisters during World War II.
The Wing is working with community stakeholders to develop content for a graphic novel, stand-alone chapter and curriculum guide, which will be distributed to schools and libraries, through The Wing and other outlets. An animated short produced by the Seattle Channel will also be made based on the stand-alone chapter.
The Wing will be facilitating ongoing meetings with a group of 14 community members to guide the project. This project is generously supported by the National Park Service Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program.
MUSEUM BACKGROUND
The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience (The Wing) is the only pan-Asian Pacific American museum in the nation, the first Smithsonian Institution affiliate in the Pacific Northwest, and an Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. Our mission is to connect everyone to the rich history, dynamic cultures and art of Asian Pacific Americans through vivid storytelling and inspiring experiences. The Wing is nationally recognized for its community-based exhibition model. For more information on our community-based process, visit our website (http://www.wingluke.org/; see LEARN tab; then Community Process).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The stories of Japanese Americans who fought for Constitutional and civil rights by challenging the forced incarceration and military draft during World War II are ones of courage, valor and sacrifice. Deemed “disloyal” by both the U.S. government and some within the Japanese American community, these Resisters became outcasts. Those who defied the forced removal were arrested and imprisoned. So called “No-No Boys” and renunciants were segregated in the Tule Lake concentration camp. And those who resisted the military draft were sent to federal prison. Resisters in the military, legal challengers, and protesters within the concentration camps reflect the many different ways Japanese Americans resisted the World War II incarceration.
Through their experiences and actions, we explore what it means to be an American; come to greater understanding the words “liberty and justice for all”; and are inspired to protect Constitutional and civil rights today, ensuring that these injustices never happen again. The stories of the Resisters present the other, necessary, side to those who chose to serve in the military and are indelibly linked to the Japanese American confinement sites.
Through "Inspiring Future Generations: Challenging the Forced Incarceration through Acts of Resistance," The Wing will connect these uncommonly told confinement site stories to the present and future generations through creation of a graphic novel based on the challenges of and sacrifices made by approximately five World War II Japanese American Resisters.
Interpretation and Education through Graphic Novel, Stand-Alone Chapter, Animated Short and Curriculum Guide The graphic novel will be comprised of five chapters, each based on a real life World War II Japanese American Resister. An example is Seattle-born Gene Akutsu, a second-generation (Nisei) born in Seattle who spent his pre-war childhood in Seattle’s Japantown (Nihonmachi), was incarcerated at the Minidoka concentration camp, refused to participate in the military draft, and was imprisoned at McNeil Island Penitentiary.
In addition to the graphic novel, a stand-alone chapter and animated video short focused on the experience of one (1) Resister will be produced. A curriculum guide that can be used both with the full graphic novel as well as the stand-alone chapter and animated video short to provide best flexibility for classroom use will also be created. In addition to distribution of the graphic novels and curriculum at schools and libraries and at The Wing, a project website page will be created to provide access to the novel, stand-alone chapter, animated video short and curriculum further extending the project’s impact.
This project is the second in a series of graphic novels. The first told the story of six World War II Japanese American military veterans. For more about the project, Fighting for America: Nisei Soldiers, visit its website page at: http://www.wingluke.org/fighting-for-america.
SCOPE OF WORK
This project includes:
- Sketches and design drafts as per deliverables schedule
- Consultation with The Wing staff, project text writer, and review by the community committee
- Coordination with the Seattle Channel team for production of the animated video short
- Deliverables include: production-ready illustrations and text in graphic novel format, including art panels and full page layouts and production-ready cover art and design; electronic images that are ready for website and other promotion
- The size and page number of the graphic novel is TBD.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Selection criteria will be based on artistic excellence, collaborative experience, and experience with Asian Pacific American communities. Familiarity with the Resisters experience and Japanese American incarceration is preferred.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
This Call is open to Artists residing in the U.S. Please submit:
- Cover letter (no more than 2 pages)
- Resume
- 4 samples of illustrations and 3 additional samples of illustration or design work, jpegs on a CD or emailed, of relevant work to the project (total size of emailed files must be less than 10MB)
- Annotated image list (including brief description, and title of work, dimensions and medium, if applicable)
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage for return of CD. The Wing will make every effort to protect submitted materials; however, the Museum will not be responsible for any loss or damage.
Please mark clearly on your cover letter “Resisters Graphic Novel” and/or email subject line for your submission’s consideration.
Please send submissions to:
Wing Luke Museum
Resisters Project
Attention: Cassie Chinn
719 South King Street
Seattle, WA 98104
Email: cchinn@wingluke.org
Submission deadline:
Required materials must be received no later than 4:30pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. Applications must be received by the deadline, no postmarks. We will not review incomplete or late submissions.
For further information, contact Cassie Chinn at (206) 623-5124 x131, or cchinn@wingluke.org.
