2023/2024 Chicago Public Art Prequalified List

The Chicago Public Art Program, a division of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), invites Chicago-based professional artists, professional artist teams, and nonprofit arts organizations to submit qualifications for potential inclusion in the 2023/2024 Chicago Public Art Prequalified List. Refreshed every two years, the list is part of DCASE's efforts to advance public art opportunities across Chicago, increase the diversity of commissioned artworks, elevate the profiles of Chicago artists, and provide equity of access to public art opportunities. Artists, artist teams, and nonprofit arts organizations prequalified through previous calls must apply to this call to be considered for prequalification in 2023 and 2024.

The Chicago Public Art Prequalified List is a mechanism for selecting candidates for public art commission opportunities via the Percent for Art Ordinance, the Public Art Menu Program, and other special projects. During 2020-2022, artists on the list had the opportunity to apply to 14 Requests for Proposals totaling $245,000, resulting in 41 commissioned artists. Each accepted applicant will be featured on the City of Chicago website with an image, representative work samples, a statement about their practice, primary medium, and website link.

Applicants must demonstrate past public art experience and the ability to implement design concepts in durable and/or permanent, low- or no-maintenance materials suitable for public and/or outdoor environments while managing all resources and subcontractors. Applicant qualifications will be reviewed by a guest panel of local and national arts professionals. The panel will select 50 prequalified Artists/Teams/Organizations from which candidates may be selected for public art opportunities in 2023 and 2024. Applicants must submit 10 images and up to 2 videos (12 total samples maximum). Eligibility is limited to individual artists, artist teams, and nonprofit arts organizations residing in or incorporated in Chicago, Illinois. Each artist must be a professional with at least two years of professional art practice, specialized training, demonstrated success in the arts, and recognition as a professional by peers. Artists must be at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents, and Chicago residents with proof of residency required.