Migrant Agricultural Worker Memorial Call for Artists

The 32nd District Agricultural Association OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors is commissioning a memorial to commemorate the contributions of migrant agricultural workers to the growth and prosperity of Orange County. The project is open to California-based artists working in any media appropriate to the site and climate of coastal southern California.

Artists may consider sites within the Centennial Farm, a 3-acre working farm and agriculture education attraction on the OC Fair campus, or in the plaza and foyer area of the new entrance to the Pacific Amphitheater, an onsite performance space seating approximately 8,200. The memorial should educate the public about the history of migrant agricultural labor in Orange County, which began primarily in the mid-19th century with laborers from Mexico, China, Japan, the Philippine Islands, and the U.S. Midwest. The project should be child and family friendly, able to withstand daily visitations of school children, and demonstrate sensitivity to the history of migrant labor and the stakeholders being celebrated. The artwork must comply with accessibility building codes and, depending on its nature and location, be durable and securely attached to foundations, able to endure viewers touching and substantial public use.

One artist or artist team will be selected to create an original artwork. The project budget is all-inclusive and will not exceed $90,000, covering artist's design fees, travel expenses, all materials and fabrication costs, insurance, engineering, shipping, and installation costs. The selected artist will have approximately one year to prepare and oversee installation. Eligibility is open to established professional artists residing in California who are eligible to work in the United States and are over 18 years old. Artists with historical ties to migrant labor are encouraged to apply. Up to five finalists will be selected to develop site-specific proposals and will receive a $500 honorarium to design and produce a model or maquette. Finalists will be required to make an in-person presentation to the selection committee in Costa Mesa on June 20, 2013. Travel stipends will be granted to finalists for site visitation and presentations. Final selection will be made by a panel including arts professionals, district staff, board members, and community stakeholders. All artists will be notified of the selection panel's decisions by July 3, 2013, with preferred project installation in June 2014.