City of Seattle: 2017 Ethnic Artist Roster Call

The Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) maintains the Ethnic Artist Roster, a pre-qualified list of artists that supports the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative by fostering dialogue about race, culture, gender, and equity through diverse exhibitions by regional artists. This roster provides ARTS and the Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery board with a juried list of artists of color eligible to show their work for exhibitions at the Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery, The Mayor's Gallery, and the Seattle Presents Gallery during the 2018/2019 calendar cycle. Artists selected for the roster will be featured in an online database of Northwest artists of color at www.seattle.gov/arts/publicart/ethnic_artist_roster. There may be an opportunity for ARTS to purchase artwork from the exhibitions for inclusion in the City's portable works collection, although this is not guaranteed.

This call is open to established and emerging artists residing in Washington or Oregon state who are over 18 years of age and have previous art exhibition experience in a location open to the public. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to stage a professional exhibition of artwork. Selected artists may display 2D or 3D artworks in either solo or group exhibitions. Artists should have an interest in working in the art field to give viewers a greater understanding of their own culture and identity, or to create a conversation questioning institutional racism.

Applications must include a résumé, artist statement, minimum of five images and up to a maximum of 16 images, and an Image Identification List (not to exceed 500 characters for each image). Selection will be based on strength and artistic merit of past artworks, creativity of approach, experience with previous art exhibitions, and ability to meet deadlines. A panel consisting of art professionals and representatives from the Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery board and the Mayor's Office will review applications. Applicants will be notified by email by early December 2017. There is no budget available for framing and transportation of artwork; however, ARTS will provide professional installation and de-installation. The Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery is located at Third Floor Arcade Level, Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 Fifth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104.