Civil Rights Public Art Project

The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, through the Metro Nashville Arts Commission Public Art Committee, is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from artists to design, fabricate, and install artwork on 5th Avenue/Avenue of the Arts before October 2013. This is a national call open to professional artists and artist teams residing in the United States.

The total artwork budget is $75,000, covering artist fees, overhead, fabrication, travel, installation, site preparation, insurance, contingency, and participation in curriculum development. This national call will result in approximately three to five semi-finalists, each receiving a $2,000 commission that includes travel expenses for a site visit to Nashville, development of a concept proposal, and presentation to the selection committee.

Eligibility requires artists to be at least 18 years old with either at least two years of visual art exhibition history or at least two years of commissioned visual or public art experience. Exhibitions or commissions created during undergraduate education do not count toward these criteria. Artist teams must consist of two or more professional artists working collaboratively, or a collaborative team led by a professional artist. Artists with conflicts of interest as outlined in the Metropolitan Government's Public Art Guidelines are ineligible.

The artworks should inform the public of Nashville's role in the Civil Rights Movement, encourage further exploration of this history, resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds, enhance the creative value of 5th Avenue of the Arts, and be suitable for the location in scale and pedestrian traffic. Submissions must include a one-page letter of interest, up to six digital images of recent work, current résumé (not exceeding four pages or 2MB), and three references with contact information. Selection will be based on artistic merit, broad professional experience, applicable experience, references regarding ability to perform according to schedule and budget, and expressed interest in and understanding of the project.