City of Chicago Northtown Branch Public Library Public Art Commission

In a public/private partnership with the Chicago Public Library, Chicago Housing Authority, Illinois Housing Development Authority, and the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Evergreen Real Estate Group invites professional artists to submit qualifications for a public art commission for the new Northtown Branch Library. This commission is for a large two-dimensional or shallow relief wall-mounted artwork. The Selection Panel has identified a large wall in the main entrance (26 feet tall x 20 feet wide) as the primary site for consideration. While a variety of media will be considered, the community has expressed a desire for mosaic. The community seeks site-specific artwork that reflects community diversity, intellectual curiosity, creativity, and a thirst for knowledge expressed in a visually sophisticated manner.

The new Northtown Branch Library, located at 6800 North Western Avenue, will replace the existing branch at 6435 North California. The building co-locates affordable senior housing with a community library and is designed by Architects Perkins + Will. West Ridge is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Chicago, with a population of 71,942 including 51.39% White, 22.6% Asian, 20.43% Hispanic, and 11.52% Black residents. The library provides services including computer access, free WiFi, community meeting space, ESL materials, and programming for all ages.

Applicants must submit: a letter of interest (brief statement on alignment with project brief), resume highlighting relevant experience and training (maximum 3 pages, .pdf or .doc), 4-6 images of past work demonstrating skill and craftsmanship, and an annotated image list with title, media, year completed, dimensions, and retail or commission price for each image. The budget is $50,000. Three semi-finalists will be selected by 2/1/2018 and paid $500 honoraria to develop formal proposals due 4/2/2018. The finalist will be selected by 4/30/2018. The selected artist will have the site available by 10/30/2018 and until mid-December 2018 to complete and install the artwork. This call is open to all regional and Chicago-based professional artists.