Storefronts Seattle: Installations 2012

The Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs and Storefronts Seattle seek artists to develop installations for vacant storefronts in various Seattle neighborhoods, including Pioneer Square, the Chinatown/International District, Capitol Hill, South Lake Union and Rainier Beach. Proposed projects may be in any two-dimensional, three-dimensional or digital medium. Installations may include video projections or other light elements, and successful proposals will engage passers-by both in daylight and in darkness. The installations are non-commercial exhibits installed in a storefront and viewable from the street, generally through the storefront windows. There is no public access into the installation space, nor is there generally the possibility for the installation to continue to the exterior of the space.

Selected participants will receive access to a vacant space in a participating neighborhood and an honorarium ranging from $250 to $1,000. There will be no occupancy fee, and the program will pay all reasonable utilities costs and liability insurance. Selected participants must enter into an agreement with Storefronts Seattle regarding terms of use, be willing to relocate or give up the space if the property owner finds a permanent tenant, present high-quality artwork and/or service activity, partner with Storefronts to market and promote events and activities, and comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

Individual artists, arts groups, or arts businesses may apply. Arts groups are not required to have 501(c)3 status. Applicants will be selected based on innovation and engagement with empty retail space, capacity to accomplish proposed work, benefit to the community and appropriateness for the public realm, high level of engagement with the street and passers-by, and artistic quality. Proposals are reviewed by a panel of arts professionals, representatives of neighborhood groups, and commercial property owners. Applicants will be notified of acceptance or rejection by late March 2012. Submit 2-5 images via the CaFÉ online application system. Application deadline is 11 p.m., February 22, 2013 (Pacific Standard Time).