City of Oakland: Oakland Open Proposals

Oakland Open Proposals invites Oakland-based artists and local communities to collaborate on the creation of temporary and permanent public art projects throughout Oakland's neighborhoods. The City of Oakland Public Art Program seeks projects that relate specifically to Oakland and to the history and natural environment of Oakland's neighborhoods. Projects should involve a community organization or neighborhood group and be based primarily in the visual arts, though innovative interdisciplinary projects are encouraged if relevant.

Eligibility is limited to practicing, professional Oakland-based artists (those who live and/or work within Oakland city limits) working with Oakland community organizations and neighborhood groups. Applications may be submitted by artists, community members, neighborhood groups, or non-profit organizations, but an Oakland artist or artist team must be the primary applicant or co-applicant in all proposed projects. All commissioned projects must take place on a publicly accessible site in Oakland. Up to $100,000 is available to fund projects in 2009-2010, with temporary project commissions capped at $10,000 and permanent project commissions capped at $14,000. Priority funding will be given to applicants with evidence of matching outside funds.

Proposed projects must be site-specific and relate to the neighborhood in which they will be sited. Projects must include an educational and/or outreach component such as artists' lectures, demonstrations, workshops, community participation in planning or execution, artist residencies, or other means of involving community members. Temporary projects must have a duration of not less than three months. All projects must be completed by November 1, 2010. The selection process occurs in two phases: initial screening for semi-finalists who will prepare full proposals, followed by panel review and interviews of semi-finalists. Selection criteria include relevance to program goals, artistic merit, site appropriateness, community engagement, artist qualifications, project feasibility, and evidence of outside matching funding.