Alaska State Council on the Arts: 2021 Alaska Contemporary Art Bank

The Alaska Contemporary Art Bank (ACAB) was founded in 1975 by the Alaska State Council on the Arts with two primary goals: to expose more 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 artists in Alaska through purchase of their work. The collection has grown to more than 700 artworks in a wide variety of media, styles and subject matter. The Art Bank provides a circulating collection of Alaskan artwork to exhibit in public areas other than museums.

Works submitted to the 2021 ACAB call 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 who advise the Arts Council in policy and art acquisition. Selected artworks are recommended to and approved for purchase by the Arts Council. Artwork is purchased directly from the artist, not through an intermediary entity such as a gallery or agent. VAAC and Arts Council members are not eligible to apply.

Art Bank artworks are loaned for display in public areas owned and operated by the State of Alaska, University of Alaska departments, the State Legislature, and in the offices of Alaskan members of the U.S. Congress. Artwork must be durable and appropriate for public areas. All Alaskan artists are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be an Alaskan resident or have been an Alaskan resident when the work was created. Work must have been created in the last eight years and must be original, not a reproduction or copyright violation. Works must be priced no higher than $4,000. All media will be considered, but priority may be given to types of works most in demand by the loan program. Due to shipping and display demands, 2-D works must be framed with hanging devices and 3-D works must be self-supporting. Imagery must be generally suitable for display in public buildings. Submit 1-6 images through CaFE (www.callforentry.org). No paper applications will be accepted.