Smile Politely

Urbana Public Arts Program launches call for sculpture

2014 Call for Sculpture Entry Form
Submission Deadline: September 5, 2014 5 p.m. CST

The Urbana Public Arts Program is seeking artists to display sculptures in our community. Selected sculptures will be installed in the community metro area and will serve as major visual anchor points, community identity and a statement that creativity and art are of vital importance to our existence in Central Illinois.

Honorarium
The Public Arts Program will offer selected artists an honorarium in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00 for the temporary lease of the artwork, transportation to and from the installation site, food & lodging, and artist fees for on-site availability during installation and de-installation. If multiple pieces are selected from one artist an honorarium will be awarded for each piece. The Public Arts Program will provide logistical and staff support, site design parameters, and incur the costs associated with site preparation and promotional events and materials.

Artist Eligibility
This opportunity is open to all professional visual artists, aged 18 and older, with public art experience.

Artwork Themes
There are no mandated themes for the artwork, however, for this call, interactive sculptures will be given special consideration. An important aspect of locating the artwork in a downtown metro area is to provide an identity for a cultural arts district. We encourage the entry of pieces with an exciting, vibrant, and energetic nature. Submissions must be existing, completed works and available for delivery during the fall of 2014.

Artwork Scale
There is no required size, however, sculptures of two different scales tend to work well: 1) very large (20’+) sculptures—capable of serving as visual showpieces along major highways and entryways into the community; and 2) medium to large (8’-15’) sculptures for placement on city sidewalks.

Artwork Materials
There are no recommended materials but the artists should consider the viability of the work’s structure and appearance and ability to be displayed outdoors for many years. The east-central Illinois climate is hot and humid with intense sunlight, periodic rain, thunderstorms and high sustained winds during the summer, and very cold with frequent sub-zero temperatures during the winter. All artwork must require limited to no maintenance. A statement of recommended maintenance for a 24-month period is required for all submissions.

Artist Responsibilities
Artists selected to exhibit their artwork will be responsible for:

  • Transportation of artwork to the exhibition site, and from the exhibition site upon the end of the lease.
  • Assistance and supervision of the installation of the artwork.
  • Availability for public information, educational interviews and materials.
  • Images for press and promotion

Notification
Selected artists will be notified of their selection by e-mail.

Lease Agreement
A signed two (2) year lease agreement will be required after the selection process, before the honorarium is disbursed.

Insurance
Insurance covering the Artworks selected for the Sculpture Exhibition is as follows:

  • The City of Urbana will provide local General Liability Insurance.
  • No insurance is provided by the City of Urbana for the value of the Artwork, however artists may provide their own policies if desired.

Questions and Additional Information
For questions and additional information, please contact the Lisa Hatchadoorian at Urbana’s Public Art Program at (217) 328-8265 or by e-mail to [email protected].

A complete application must contain the following:

  • Application form (name, address, phone, email, title of submission, sale and insurance value, dimensions, weight, materials)
  • At least 3 images (Front, Back and one side), but no more than 5 images of each entry.
  • A written statement about the sculpture, and diagram with measurements outlining installation requirements.
  • Maintenance requirements for the entry for the next five years.
  • At least two images of previously completed artwork. Digital images in PDF format are preferred. All digital images must correspond with an image list. All images must be labeled as follows: artist’s last name_first initial_image#.pdf   (ex. smith_a_01.PDF)
  • A current professional resume or curriculum vitae, with an emphasis on public art.

Where to Apply:

Email entries are preferred. Please email [email protected].

Hardcopy entries may be mailed to:
City of Urbana
Public Art Program
400 South Vine St.
Urbana, IL 61801

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