Seattle Public Utilities Emerging Artists Portable Works Commissions

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) seeks emerging Washington artists for eight commissioned portable artworks. This project is intended to be an introduction to the public commission and contracting process for artists interested in public art. Each selected artist will work independently to create artwork(s) for SPU's Portable Works Collection, which is exhibited throughout utilities offices.

Eligibility is open to all emerging artists within 100 miles of Seattle. 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 has not yet become established. Students are not eligible. The selection process occurs in two parts: a panel of arts professionals will review submitted images and select up to 10 finalists to create proposals in response to a specific SPU location. Ten finalists will each receive $750 for their proposals. Eight artists will be commissioned to create an artwork and receive $3,000 each, with three months to complete the work. Portable artworks must be no larger than 48" x 48" x 5" for two-dimensional work and not weigh more than 50 pounds for three-dimensional artwork.

Applications require up to 16 images representing your artwork, image descriptions (not to exceed 1,000 characters), a letter of interest (not to exceed 2,000 characters) describing your artistic intent, and a résumé. Selection criteria include artistic merit, appropriateness for the public setting and existing collection, artistic diversity, and completeness of application. Notification of results will be provided by mid-December 2008. Contact Deborah Paine at 206-684-7132 or [email protected] with questions.