HeART and Sole of Downtown Batesville Public Art Project

Our Town Public Art, a subcommittee of Batesville Area Arts Council (a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization), is seeking qualified artists or artist teams to create outdoor permanent art projects for multiple locations in downtown Batesville. At least one art installation is planned before September 1, 2021. This NEA Our Town Grant project serves as an arts-based civic engagement process that promotes downtown Batesville and engages audiences of all ages.

The HeART and Sole initiative seeks to enliven downtown Batesville by building the concept and design for a Living Walnut Street Corridor, which includes a plan for streetscape transformation with a public art component. Artists are invited to design and create exterior art projects for identified locations, including the Hillrom Training Center Clocktower (1 South Main St.) and the Hillrom AP Building metal warehouse addition (corner of Walnut and George St.). The artwork will enhance the overall character and atmosphere of the downtown core and support a welcoming environment. Designs should consider the location of the wall, the architecture of the structure, viewing angles, and impact on the surrounding area. Local, regional, and national artists and designers are invited to submit.

Artists must create projects within an all-inclusive budget of up to $50,000, which includes all costs associated with design, fabrication, delivery, installation, materials, travel, liability insurance, tax, and time spent in progress meetings and installation verification. The selection process includes review by a peer panel. Up to 4 finalists will be short-listed for interviews for each location and will each receive a $250 finalist award to cover costs for submission of a full proposal. Application materials must be emailed to [email protected] and [email protected] by July 1, 2020 at 5:00 PM CST. Applicants must submit a written artist bio (not to exceed 2500 characters), a description of the proposed installation and methods (not to exceed 1500 characters), and up to 8 images of past artworks. Any amateur or professional artist or designer age 18 and older is eligible to apply.