Contact Email: benjamin.gale-schreck@seattle.gov
Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: Regional
State: Washington
Entry Deadline: 11/12/19
Days remaining to deadline: 9
REQUIREMENTS:
Media
Images - Minimum: 16, Maximum: 16
Total Media - Minimum: 16, Maximum: 16
The Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) and Seattle Parks and Recreation (PARKS) are seeking artists to create temporary art installations or social practice activities for selected Seattle parks to activate and engage their surrounding communities.
ARTS is looking for up to seven artists/artist teams that are interested in engaging with the community and creating artworks or social practice activities that are culturally responsive. Artists who have experience working with residents from historically under-represented communities, including communities of color, immigrant, and refugee communities to develop their artwork are encouraged to apply. The temporary outdoor two and three-dimensional artworks would most likely be installed in the warmer, drier months of June – August 2020 and will have durations of a minimum of 45 days.
This call is open to artists residing in Washington State. The application deadline is 10:59 p.m. (Pacific Time), Tuesday, November 12, 2019.
INTRODUCTION
ARTS and PARKS are looking for artists/artist teams to work with communities who live, work near, or visit the selected parks. The artists will create a site specific outdoor temporary artwork or social practice activity that aligns with the goals of the City of Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative. The artist/artist team will work with community members who live or work near the specific site to develop their concept, and will work to engage members from historically under-represented communities, including communities of color, immigrant and refugee communities.
BACKGROUND
In August 2014, Seattle voters approved the Seattle Park District. The Seattle Park District has the same boundaries as the City of Seattle and the Seattle City Council members serve as the Park District's Governing Board. Property taxes collected by the Seattle Park District will provide funding for City parks and recreation including maintaining parklands and facilities, operating community centers and recreation programs, and developing new neighborhood parks on previously acquired sites.
The parks selected for this project particularly benefit from increased positive and/or family-friendly activities, and increased public use. Activating parks builds community ownership, increases use, and creates opportunities for artists.
ARTS, in partnership with PARKS, seeks to activate selected parks by creating a vibrant and inviting public realm, providing an attractive public space, and an environment where people feel safe and welcome.
ARTS has managed a number of temporary art projects throughout the City including ARTSparks, Art Interruptions, Seattle Center Art Walk, and Westlake Park Temporary Art.
ELIGIBILITY
This call is open to artists living in Washington State who have a documented track record of making art and are interested in creating art in public places. Applicants must be over 18 years old and interested in working collaboratively in public settings.
Artists who were awarded in the 2019 cycle are not eligible to apply for the 2020 Arts in Parks Temporary Art & Activations call.
ARTS is committed to reflecting the cultural richness of our city by promoting opportunities for emerging and diverse artists. Organizations and individual artists representing communities of color are encouraged to apply. Strong consideration will be given to artists who have experience working with residents from historically underrepresented communities including communities of color, immigrant, and refugee communities to develop their artwork.
SCOPE OF WORK
The selected artists/artist teams will work with staff from PARKS and ARTS to develop new temporary, outdoor site-specific public art projects at selected Seattle city parks. Up to seven artists/artist teams will be selected to create installations/activities of a minimum duration of 45 days, from June through the end of August of 2020. The projects will contribute to increased public use and family-friendly activities. The primary audience for the installations/activities are those who live/work/travel through the park site day or night. This public interaction may range from a pedestrian passing through to a longer interaction at the site by people watching a performance, attending a workshop, waiting for a bus, or those using the park for recreational purposes.
If selected, artists will develop their proposals in coordination with PARKS and ARTS staff.
The artwork should:
Activate the space and engage pedestrians and park users at the site;
Coexist with already-scheduled programming of the site;
Create a unique sense of place through creative practice;
Have a minimum duration of 45 days for two and three-dimensional artworks.
Your application should include a draft image of your proposal. The draft proposal image can be digitally rendered, collage or hand drawn, and should portray an accurate representation of the proposed artwork, offering the selection panel enough detail to represent the artist’s vision. Accepted proposals are still subject to evolve to meet public safety standards.
The artwork can (but is not limited to):
Operate or interact with PARKS planned activities at the site;
Be two or three dimensional (with three-dimensional work that allows for movement through the space);
Offer social interaction with visitors (participatory or interactive work);
Be workshops or social practice that engage the community;
Allow for an experience.
LIMITATIONS OF PARKS GROUNDS USAGE
Public Safety
All projects must take public safety into consideration. Parks staff will identify proposals that require a department safety “ProView” review and follow up with the applicant. Artworks that may climbed on, especially by children, or other features that potentially may be a hazard may require a safety review.
Access to electricity in parks
It is strongly recommended that proposed art installations do not have electricity requirements or are self-sufficient in their power needs.
Parks ground plane
It is strongly recommended that proposed artworks not require digging or staking on PARKS grounds.
ELIGIBLE AND PREFERRED PARKS FOR INSTALLATIONS
Visit the Seattle Parks Park Finder to view more information about any of the parks listed.
CENTRAL
Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park
Judkins Park
Flo Ware Park
Pratt Park
Powell Barnett Park
NORTH
Albert Davis Park
Ballard Commons Park
Lake City Mini Park
Mineral Springs Park
Salmon Bay Park
University Playground
SOUTHEAST
John C. Little Park
Othello Playground
Pritchard Island Beach
Beer Sheva Park
Martha Washington Park
SOUTHWEST
Duwamish Waterway Park
Highland Park Playground
Myrtle Reservoir Park
Roxhill Park
Westcrest Park
INELIGIBLE PARKS, PLAYFIELDS, AND GREEN SPACES
Downtown or Center City parks are not eligible for Arts in Parks funding. Other funding sources are available for projects in these parks. Please click here to view a list of downtown parks that are ineligible for Arts in Parks funding.
Playfields and green spaces immediately adjacent to community centers are not eligible for Arts in Parks funding. Please click here to view a list of playfields and green spaces that are ineligible for Arts in Parks funding.
BUDGET
Each selected artist/artist team will receive $4,500, inclusive of all fees including design development for final proposal, materials, installation, WA state sales and use taxes, insurance, and all associated project costs. Selected artists/artist teams will receive 40% of the total commission upon acceptance of the final artwork proposal, 40% percent after documented installation of the artwork, and the remaining 20% after documented de-installation of artwork, photo documentation, and a brief project summary have been delivered.
Arts in Parks is commissioned with Seattle Park District funds and administered by the Office of Arts & Culture.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The application deadline is 10:59 p.m. (Pacific Time), Tuesday, November 12, 2019.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Sixteen work sample images total, showing your past artworks and one draft image of your proposal. The draft proposal image can be digitally rendered, collage or hand drawn, and should portray an accurate representation of the proposed artwork, offering the selection panel enough detail to represent the artist’s vision. CaFÉ image format requirements can be found here. If you have fewer than 16 quality images, you will need to insert a detail of one of your images or a blank slide. A blank slide is available for download here.
Please provide a statement describing your interest in this project, including a very brief (100 words or less) conceptual sketch of your proposed installation/activation. Please include your community engagement strategy and any special connection you have with the park(s) you list as your preferred sites. If community engagement is part of your design process, offer insight on how you will navigate the exchange between artist, community, and the final work produced. These elements will be weighed heavily by the panelists during the selection process.
Bio or resume
Completion of all required application questions
Three references
SELECTION CRITERIA
The Office of Arts & Culture is committed to reflecting the diversity and cultural richness of our city in the selection of artists and artworks. Artists will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:
The artist’s suitability for this project, as indicated by the proposal;
Strength and artistic vision of past works or the potential for the artist to create artwork in public and creativity of approach;
Priority will be given to artists who have experience working with residents from historically under-represented communities including communities of color, immigrant, and refugee communities to develop their artwork.
SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process will include a peer panel and advisors who will review all applicants’ materials and will recommend up to seven artists/artist teams for commissions to be installed/implemented June through August 2020.
NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision by email in January 2020.
ATTEND A WORKSHOP
We strongly encourage you to attend the workshop, especially if you are a first-time applicant.
ARTS staff will share more information about the Arts in Parks Temporary Art and Activations call and will review the CaFÉ application process. No RSVP or registration is needed to attend a workshop.
Wednesday, October 16, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Seattle Public Library, Rainier Beach Branch
9125 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118
Map
Wednesday, October 30, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Seattle Public Library, Southwest Branch
9010 35th Ave. S.W., Seattle, WA 98126
Map
Tuesday, November 5, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Seattle Public Library, Douglass-Truth Branch
2300 E. Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122
Map
OBLIGATIONS OF AWARD RECIPIENTS
If your project is selected for funding, you will need to meet the requirements listed below:
City and state business licenses are required for payment (you do not need a business license to apply). To receive final payment, individuals awarded funds from the Office of Arts & Culture must have a Seattle business license and a Washington State Unified Business Identification (UBI) number. You may include the cost of getting your business licenses in your budget.
Award recipients will sign a contract committing to produce their project with activities including intended dates and park location for a public presentation. Early confirmation of event details is encouraged.
Award recipients will be responsible for working with Seattle Parks and Recreation to complete and submit the required permit documents by deadlines.
Award recipients will be responsible for securing Event Liability Insurance for their project.
Award recipients are responsible for paying all applicable taxes.
Award recipients commit to recognizing the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and Seattle Parks & Recreation in press releases, printed materials, social media, and signage visible to the public or in other ways appropriate to the project.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Create or update your CaFÉ profile at callforentry.org right away.
Explore the online application ahead of time, especially if you’re a first-time applicant.
Attend a workshop/draft review session, especially if you’re a first-time applicant.
Start writing or outlining your application narrative early. It is best to write your application answers first in a separate document and copy and paste them into the application text boxes.
Be sure to review your application materials before you submit. It can be very helpful to have another person read/edit your application materials. This can help ensure your vision is communicated effectively.
Call the project manager with questions well in advance of the deadline. We are happy to assist you, but last-minute help is limited due to capacity.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Please contact Benjamin Gale-Schreck at benjamin.gale-schreck@seattle.gov or 206.615.1742 for questions regarding this call or project.
For technical assistance with the CaFÉ online application process, please contact CaFÉ tech support at 888.562.7232 or cafe@westaf.org, Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time.