City of Seattle: 2019 Arts in Parks Temporary Art & Activations Program

The Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) and Seattle Parks and Recreation (PARKS) are seeking artists to create temporary art installations or social practice activities for selected Seattle parks to activate and engage their surrounding communities. Up to seven artists or artist teams will be selected to create installations or activities with durations of six to eight weeks, most likely installed during the warmer, drier months of June through September 2019. This call is open to artists residing in Washington State who are over 18 years old and interested in working collaboratively in public settings. Artists who have experience working with residents from historically under-represented communities, including communities of color, immigrant, and refugee communities, are encouraged to apply. Artists awarded in the 2018 cycle are not eligible to apply.

Selected artists will work with PARKS and ARTS staff to develop site-specific public art projects. The artwork should activate the space and engage pedestrians and park users, coexist with already-scheduled programming, create a unique sense of place, and have a duration of six to eight weeks. Proposed artworks can be two or three-dimensional, participatory or interactive, workshops or social practice, and should allow for short or long-term experiences. It is strongly recommended that installations do not require electricity or digging/staking on park grounds. All projects must take public safety into consideration.

Each selected artist will receive $4,500, inclusive of all fees including design development, materials, installation, taxes, insurance, and associated project costs. Payment is structured as 40% upon acceptance of the final proposal, 40% after documented installation, and 20% after documented de-installation and project documentation. Applicants must submit 16 images of past artworks, a statement describing interest in the project with a brief conceptual sketch (100 words or less), community engagement strategy, résumé, references, and completion of required application questions. The application deadline is 10:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Tuesday, October 23, 2018.