Small Town, Big Art: Call for Public Art in Wailuku, HI

County of Maui and Hale Hō'ikeʻike at the Bailey House/Maui Historical Society invite artists to submit applications for the Small Town, Big Art pilot program, scheduled for July 2019 – June 2020. Selected artist(s) will be commissioned to develop an innovative public art project that engages a diverse public audience. New or existing work may be submitted. Themes must align with Hale Hō'ikeʻike at the Bailey House/Maui Historical Society and address the Town of Wailuku's distinctive sense of place, history, and/or culture. The program welcomes submissions from a variety of disciplines, with particular interest in: New Media Projects (Light or Projection Installations, Video Projection, etc.), Fine Art Performances (Pop-up Performances, Street Performances, Happenings, etc.), Interactive or Participatory Projects, Mural Projects, and Experiential Art Installations.

Each project's commission or budget request may vary depending on specific needs. The maximum amount an artist may request is $15,000, with requests required in increments of $100. The program aims to support as many projects as possible and may give preference to smaller budget projects. Multiple applications with varied project budgets may be submitted. Artists will be required to provide all tools, equipment, technology, knowledge, and labor necessary to execute the proposed project. All projects will be professionally documented through video and photo recording; the County retains ownership of documentation and may promote or display work publicly at a later date, while artists retain copyright ownership.

Selected finalists will begin Project Development (March – June 2019) with guidance from the Small Town, Big Art coordinator and Hale Hō'ikeʻike staff. Art spaces may include the Wailuku Civic Complex fenced-off build zone (68 acres), neighboring business façades, sidewalks, crosswalks, and a brick plaza. Applications will be reviewed by an evaluation panel using selection criteria focused on quality, style, experience in creating communal or public art, significance to Wailuku, and alignment with Hawaiian proverbs ('Ōlelo No'eau) selected by Hale Hō'ikeʻike. Entry fee: $5.00. Up to 2 applications allowed per artist. Work samples required: minimum 3, maximum 10 total (up to 10 images, 5 audio files, 5 video files).