Downtown BID Call Box Project

The Downtown BID is seeking multi-medium visual artists including fine artists, street artists, graffiti artists, metal workers, and graphic artists to design, submit, and fabricate original designs for installation on call boxes located in downtown Washington, DC. Selected artists not currently residing in the District of Columbia will be required to have a District-based artist as a project assistant on the installation.

The project seeks designs for 9 call boxes in 8 locations. Call boxes are mounted on pedestals reaching 6-8 feet in height, with some installations having poles extending another 2 feet with light fixtures. The boxes are 7.5 inches wide and 11 inches tall. Applicants can submit proposals for single or multiple call boxes (up to three unique boxes), with preference given to applicants submitting for multiple boxes. Works can be created using paint or wraps flush on call box panels, or using metal, ceramics, or other durable materials installed inside boxes with missing panels.

Eligibility: National call open to artists 18 years or older who are U.S. citizens or can legally work in the United States. Applicants must demonstrate public art creation experience, past work showing skill level and capacity as a lead artist, and ability to engage and manage a local assistant artist if not a DC resident. Artist teams may consist of no more than two members, with both meeting all eligibility requirements. Budget for each installation ranges from $4,000 to $10,000. Selected artists receive an $800 design fee, with an additional $800 if the design is ultimately selected. All project funds must be expended by September 30, 2019. Submission deadline: July 8, 2018 at 4:00 PM EST. Applicants must submit a PDF application including an eligibility questionnaire, 4-6 work samples (up to 10 digital images), annotated image list, artist bio/resume, two professional references, and signed W9 form. Contact: Mazi A.E. Mutafa, Words Beats & Life, 202-667-1192 (o), 202-494-8668 (c), [email protected].