Alameda County Arts Commission: 2011 Artwork Purchase Program

The Alameda County Arts Commission is building a public collection of artwork created by Alameda County artists. Approximately $75,000 is available to purchase artwork for the 2011 Purchase Program. The artwork will become part of the Alameda County Art Collection and will be installed at County buildings including the Clerk-Recorder's Building (1106 Madison Street, Oakland) and the County Administration Building (1221 Oak Street, Oakland), as well as other locations throughout the County to be determined.

Eligibility is open to professional artists who live, are permanently employed, or rent/own an artist's studio in Alameda County. Proof of residence, permanent employment, or business ownership within County borders is required. Alameda County employees are not eligible. Artists who currently have 4 or more wall-hanging, framed artworks in the County's Art Collection are not eligible to apply.

Artwork must be original and created within the last five years. Two-dimensional and low-relief artwork including drawings, paintings, textiles, quilts, photography, and mixed media will be considered. Low-relief artwork must not protrude more than 2 inches from the wall. Photographs and fine art prints must be signed, numbered, and in a limited edition of 250 or less. Artwork must have a minimum size of 11" H x 11" W and a maximum size of 50" H x 50" W x 2" D with a maximum weight of 25 pounds. Framed and unframed work will be considered. The Arts Commission will be responsible for framing and installation costs using archival quality materials.

Applications must be submitted online through the CaFÉ website and include an artist statement (5,000 character maximum), a minimum of three and a maximum of ten images of available artwork, an annotated image list with title, dimensions, materials, year of completion, and retail value, and a current résumé. There is no application fee. Selection will occur in two phases: artwork selection panels will review images and identify artworks for possible purchase, then selected artworks will be delivered to the Arts Commission office for final review and approval by the Public Art Advisory Committee and Arts Commission members.