Direct Purchase from Emerging Artists

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is purchasing existing artwork by emerging artists working in any 2-D medium with special consideration given to colorful artworks. An emerging artist is generally someone in the early stage of their career (five years or less), or an artist who has caught the eye of an art critic and/or gallery but hasn't yet established a solid reputation. There is no age requirement. Purchases are chosen by a panel of arts professionals selecting artwork of high quality and diversity of expression for the city of Seattle's 1% for Art Portable Works Collection.

This competition is open to emerging artists who are residents of the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, British Columbia). The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs reserves the right to invite artists who are residents elsewhere in the United States and Canada to apply. Students are not eligible. All types of two-dimensional media will be considered, with maximum artwork measurements of 48 inches high by 48 inches wide by 5 inches deep. Preference will be given to artworks incorporating color. A total of $30,000 is available for this direct purchase.

Applicants must submit up to 20 images of available work, image descriptions (not to exceed 1,000 characters including title, year made, medium, dimensions and price), an artist's statement (not to exceed 2,000 characters), and a résumé. Artwork containing graphic depictions of violence, sexually explicit imagery, and/or nudity are highly discouraged. Selection will be based on artistic merit, appropriateness for the public setting and existing collection, artistic diversity, and completeness of application. Artists will be notified of the selection panel's decisions by mid-October 2008. Contact Deborah Paine at 206-684-7132 or [email protected] with questions.