Alaska Contemporary Art Bank Call for Art 2011

The Alaska Contemporary Art Bank (ACAB) was founded in 1975 by the Alaska State Council on the Arts to expose Alaskans to high quality work by contemporary Alaskan artists through the loaning of original art to public offices throughout Alaska, and to provide support to professional artists in Alaska through purchase of their work. The collection has grown to more than 600 art works in a wide variety of media, styles and subject matter. Art Bank artworks are selected for loan to display in public areas in State owned and operated buildings, University of Alaska departments, the State Legislature and in the offices of Alaskan members of the U.S. Congress.

The ACAB is implementing its second call for art since 2001, from which artworks will be selected for purchase by the Alaska State Council on the Arts' Visual Arts Advisory Committee (VAAC), a statewide group of artists and arts administrators. Artwork is purchased directly from the artist, not through galleries or agents. VAAC and Arts Council members are ineligible to apply. All Alaskan artists are encouraged to apply. Qualifications include: must be an Alaskan resident or have been at the time the work was created; work must have been created in the last five years; all applications must be submitted through CaFE (no paper applications accepted). Artists can submit up to 6 images of artwork available for purchase.

Artwork must be durable and appropriate for public areas. Two-dimensional works must be framed with hanging devices and three-dimensional works must be self-supporting. Purchase price is set by the artist, but only works under $4,000 will be considered. All media will be considered, but priority may be given to types of works most in demand by the loan program. ASCA will pay for shipping of selected artworks by a method determined by ASCA; the artist will be responsible for packing and insuring transportation. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Alaska Standard time on March 18, 2011. Artists will be notified of acceptance by April 15, 2011 (tentative).