Project Spaces: Bus Wrap

Through an ongoing initiative called Project Spaces, the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation (GDMPAF) seeks to place compelling, temporary works of art in highly accessible and visible public spaces. GDMPAF invites artists to submit qualifications to be considered for BUS + TRUCK WRAPS, a commission to create a unique design to fully wrap around large public vehicles. An ongoing series, the transit bus-wrap concept will be expanded in 2017-18 to wrap recycling trucks in Des Moines. To date, five artists' designs have been commissioned to cover the surface of large transit buses. Each uniquely designed bus will be viewed daily by pedestrians and motorists, residents and visitors, in more than 10 communities throughout Greater Des Moines, traveling 2,250 miles per month on City streets and Interstate Highway 235. A template for a design will be provided.

Selected artists will receive $500 to develop proposals. The selected proposal will receive an additional $1,500 for production. Direct costs of printing, installation and removal of the wrap will be provided as part of this project and will not impinge on the artist fees listed above. The call is open to professional artists and artist teams from all cultural and political backgrounds, 18 years of age and older, who have had experience working in the public sector. Artists residing in Iowa with experience in public art projects are encouraged to submit qualifications.

Submission materials must include: an artist statement of interest; a two-page resume (PDF) outlining professional accomplishments and including three professional references; and four to six images of past work (JPEG files) illustrating two to four completed site-specific public art projects. An Image Identification List (PDF) must provide project title, location, date completed, media, dimensions, budget, commissioning agency, project partners, and brief project description. Proposals will be reviewed by a committee based on artistic excellence, previous experience, and perceived ability to complete design on time and within budget. All materials must be submitted through CaFE (callforentry.org). Entry deadline: May 30, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Jury dates in June 2017 with finalists notification on June 13, 2017.