Call to Artists
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Call for Artists

 

Our First Community:
First People in Seattle’s First Neighborhood

Introduction

The Pioneer Square Residents’ Council (PSRC) is pleased to announce the initiation of Art Outside the Box—a neighborhood project to enhance the streetscapes of Pioneer Square with art on signal boxes. The first phase of the project includes five signal boxes. These boxes will be embellished with original art created by Coast Salish1 artists, First People in Seattle’s First Neighborhood.

In collaboration with the Chief Seattle Club, up to five artists will be selected for their exceptional contemporary or traditional inspired designs for five signal boxes in Pioneer Square. Artists will work with the project team and may participate in the approval processes, via the Pioneer Square Preservation Board (PSPB), Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), and the fabricator to provide adjustments as required to designs. Artists may be asked to modify submission based on feedback from the PSPB, SDOT or fabricator. Artist will submit digital images of the final design, meeting the specifications of the fabricator’s template (project team will assist with digital translation of artworks).

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Eligibility

This call is open to professional artists at all stages of their careers who may submit up to three works of art. Applicant must provide proof of Coast Salish tribal enrollment or descent.

Budget

Selected artists will receive a $1,000 commission per artwork: 50% at selection and 50% upon successful installation of artwork.

Theme

The theme for this call is broad and open to artistic interpretation: “Our First Community.”

Application Deadline

11:59 PM PST, January 31, 2019

Application Requirements

Provide images of new or existing work that is proposed for installation on signal boxes as vinyl wrap. Application must include the following to be considered:

• Contact information: name, address, email address, website, and social media addresses.

• Verification of eligibility: verification of Coast Salish tribal enrollment or proof of descent required to be eligible for this call.

• Artist Statement: Briefly describe the work submitted, style, your creative interests, and inspiration (50-word limit).

• Resume/Bio: Artistic resume or statement summarizing artist’s qualifications and relevant past experience (two-page limit).

• List of images: A numbered list including title, type of work (painting, photography, collage, etc.), material(s), size stated as height” x width,” and year created for all images submitted. List of image numbering must correspond to image number in #6 below. Use the following example format for image list:

01 Sunset-Views, painting, acrylic on paper, 24”x30”, 2018
02 City-Scene, painting, watercolor on paper, 36”x30”, 2017

• Images: up to three images may be submitted. Please size images to 1920px on the longest side. Individual files can be up to 1M in size. Use the following example format for image file names:

01Colleen_Jones_Sunset-Views.jpg
02Colleen_Jones_City-Scene.jpg

Images are submitted via email separate from application form.

We recommend you prepare your answers in text documents and cut and paste into the application form. You will not be able to return to the application form after submission. Images must be sent as email attachments to the email address provided on the application form.

Timeline

December 1, 2018: call to artists opens
January 31, 2019: application deadline
timeline adjusted due to weather
March 1, 2019: artists selected
March 25, 2019: artwork due formatted for signal box
April 4, 2019: public comment during First Thursday Art Walk
   5-8pm, Tashiro Kaplan Building, 115 Prefontaine Pl S
April 2019: PSPB approval
April – May 2019: SDOT approval
May– June 2019: manufacture of vinyl wrap (provided by PSRC)
June– July 2019: vinyl wrap professionally installed
August 1, 2019 5:00 – 8:00: First Thursday community celebration (featured artists encouraged to attend)

Selection Criteria

• Quality and uniqueness of interpretation of inspiration of theme

• Quality of concept, design, and craftsmanship of submitted samples

• Artworks ability to recognize various audiences – residents and businesses of Pioneer Square, pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and drivers

• Ability and willingness to translate design into a vinyl wrap which will be professionally installed

Selection Process

Artists will be selected by a jury of art professionals and community leaders. Selected artists will be notified by February 21, 2019. Artists retain the copyright to the design but grants PSRC the ability to use images for neighborhood promotion and reporting to funders. The PSRC reserves the right to not select any artist from this call or to select one artist for more than one box or to re-initiate the call at a later time.

For questions contact: psqresidents@gmail.com.

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Tips

The goal is to enhance the streetscape and contribute to the historic storytelling of Pioneer Square.

Consider a limited palette of colors and graphically striking images that can be read easily by all.

Avoid imagery that might distract drivers. For example, no typography over 2”, no imagery which could be confused with traffic signs. Images that convey messages appearing to advertise or promote a private entity (corporation, neighborhood business, chamber of commerce, or other community organization) will not be accepted.

Palette should be in keeping with historic Pioneer Square; neon colors and graffiti-like imagery should be avoided.

If selected, a digital template will be provided by the fabricator for final layout. Final image of the artwork shall adhere to the format required for transfer to vinyl and meet file specifications of fabricator. (PSRC will assist.)

Chosen artwork will be transferred to vinyl at the expense of PSRC. Artists may need to work with fabricator to adjust final image file for optimal application.

Chosen artwork must be approved by PSPB and SDOT. Artists may need to work with these agencies to obtain approval.

Work can be one single image that will cover all sides of the box or diptych or triptych formats.

Allow space somewhere in the design for artist name, date and acknowledgment of funders.

SDOT template can be viewed for informational purposes (this is not the final template and is provided for conceptual purposes only).

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1 Coast Salish map courtesy of Denise Emerson