Sacramento Office of Arts + Culture

Deadline:  
November 13, 2020, at 6:00 PM.  Pacific Time
CALL TO ARTISTS
All California and US-based artists are invited to submit their qualifications for inclusion in the Sacramento Artist Roster. Public artists and studio artists are encouraged to apply. The Sacramento Office of Arts + Culture manages the Art in Public Places Program for the City of Sacramento. The Artist Roster will primarily serve as a resource for selecting artwork through a public panel selection process.
Sacramento Office of Arts + Culture reserves the option of using the Artist Roster as the sole resource for identifying appropriate artists for a project, or in combination with an explicit artist call that has been posted. The Office of Arts + Culture will continue to post Calls for Artists Projects when appropriate.
Once an artist is accepted, they are retained on the Roster until it expires at the end of December 2025. All artists will be notified to reapply in September of 2025 for a new Roster. While the Roster is active, a call will open every September for additional artists to be added. Artists already accepted on the Roster during the initial call, do not need to reapply until the roster is completely refreshed in 2025. Accepted artists on the Roster may request to update their information and artwork at any time during the roster period.

TIMELINE • The call for applicants for the Artist Roster opens September 14, 2020, and closes November 13, 2020, at 6:00 PM • Artists will be notified by January 8, 2021, of their status of acceptance on the Roster. Once accepted, the Artist will remain on the Roster for five years unless they wish to be removed. • The Roster will be open every September for 4 weeks for new applications. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be posted on our website and newsletter. • This Artist Roster will end on December 31, 2025.
ELIGIBILITY Professional artists living and working in the United States are eligible to apply. All types of artwork will be considered, including: • studio work; portable work, all traditional medium, intimate and grand scale • new media, virtual art, interactive art, sound, light • film, video, animation, projections • temporary work • site-specific installation • integrated design, art enhancements, feature walls • environmental, hardscapes, landscapes, artist-designed spaces • exterior architectural surface treatments
SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA A panel of arts professionals approved by the Sacramento Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Commission will review application materials and recommend applicants to be included in the 2020-2025 Artist Roster. The goal is to establish a pool of qualified artists working in a variety of media. All applicants will be notified of their status after the review process is completed. The review panel will score applicants based on the following criteria: • 65% -- Artistic and technical quality of submitted past work. This includes proficiency in craftsmanship and technical knowledge of the materials, an aesthetic appeal, the use of innovation and creativity, as well as the development of a comprehensive body of work that defines a developed style and intention. Artists that create public artwork must show a response to the site and/or architecture where their work is installed. • 20% -- Professional experience (including commissions, awards, collections, and exhibitions) • 15% -- The value to Sacramento’s Percent for Art Collection which seeks to represent a diverse and varied selection of high-quality works and artists.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS The entire submission must be completed on Submittable at: https://sacmetroarts.submittable.com There is no application fee to apply or to use Submittable. To apply, register with a username and password, and follow the instructions. The call is listed as the Artist Roster for January 2021 – December 2025. All requirements listed below must be met or the application will not be considered. • Artist Statement: (Maximum 250 words) Include a general introduction to your work. Discuss the concepts and ideas you explore in your artwork and how these ideas and issues are presented. If you are applying as a team, the letter should clearly describe the contribution of each collaborator. Teams may present an artist statement up to 350 words maximum. • Resume: (Maximum 2 pages) Outline your recent experience and accomplishments as an artist. If applying as a team, each member may submit a separate one-page resume. • Samples of your work - a maximum of ten (10) files: digital images, video, and audio files are all acceptable with corresponding titles to match the Support Description list (PDF). Each file should highlight only one project or one artwork. • Support Description list: (Maximum 2-page PDF) For each image/file submitted, list the title, date, size (HxWxD), and medium for studio work. For public art projects, include a description, location, budget, and commissioning organization (if applicable). If the project included community outreach, list participating groups, and briefly describe the role community played in the project. • References: Include the name, title, phone number, email, and mailing address of three references who can speak about your professionalism.
DISCLAIMER The Sacramento Office of Arts + Culture does not guarantee that an artist or artist team selected for the Artist Roster will be awarded a project/commission/purchase in Sacramento. Selected artists may apply for projects administered by the Sacramento Office of Arts + Culture in addition to being on the Artist Roster. Artists not selected for this Roster may apply to open calls for specific projects administered by the Sacramento Office of Arts + Culture. All submitted materials are subject to California’s public records laws.
ABOUT US Established in 1977, The Office of Arts + Culture (formerly the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission) is a division within the City of Sacramento devoted to supporting, promoting, and advancing the arts in Sacramento. The Office of Arts + Culture provides funding for the arts through Grant programming; engages in initiatives and partnerships through the Art Education Program; and enhances neighborhoods with the City’s Public Art Collection, exhibitions, and lecture series. Sacramento’s Public Art Program is funded through City ordinance that specifies 2% of eligible City capital improvement project budgets be set aside for the commission, purchase, and installation of artworks throughout the City. The Sacramento Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Commission acts as an advisory body to the City Manager and Council regarding approval of Public Art acquisition.  
EQUITY STATEMENT The Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy (ACCE) Commission believe that all people in the City of Sacramento have the right to celebrate and engage in meaningful and relevant arts and cultural experiences. Each member of the community should experience arts that reflect and nourish their identity and self-esteem. The ACCE Commission is committed to ensuring racial and cultural equity in its outreach, funding, leadership, resource allocation, partnerships, and programs. The ACCE Commission believes that equity moves past inclusion and representation; accepting that power has created uneven starting points for some communities and individuals.  
QUESTIONS Please contact: Lennee Eller | Leller@cityofsacramento.org | 916-808-8877 Donald Gensler | Dgensler@cityofsacramento.org | 916-808-8493 https://arts.cityofsacramento.org/

CALL TO ARTISTS

Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA) with the Sacramento Office of Arts + Culture (OAC) invite artists (and artist teams) who are 18 years or older, professional artists, and reside within 100 miles of Sacramento to be considered for CADA’s “Capitol Box Art Revival” to submit their qualifications for a new box wrap project in the downtown area of Sacramento. 

CADA is the sponsor for this public art project. The original Capitol Box Art Project was launched in 2015. Selected artists were given a 3-year maintenance commitment with the understanding that after that time a new round of artists would be selected to refresh the downtown utility boxes. This opportunity will also give artists a 3-year maintenance commitment. Past artworks (as examples to review) are archived on the Capitol Box Art Project website: www.capitolboxart.com.

This current opportunity will be in two phases and will commission artists for wrap designs on a total of 34 city owned traffic control utility boxes. A diverse selection panel will determine which artists are selected and for which phase. See timeline below for phase dates and project milestones. 

ARTIST FEE, WRAP DESIGN, AND PROJECT FUNDS

Artists will be selected based on past work and paid $500 to create a design (or designs) that will be transferred to vinyl and wrapped around a City of Sacramento traffic utility box. The artist will be responsible for investigating their box location (provided after artist selection) on site and designing their box wrap to the specifications provided in the box wrap templates (to be provided). Artists should check how their design will fit on their box by physically visiting the site and verifying how their design will work on the particular box. OAC staff will be available for consultation and guidance. 

Separate project funds have been allocated for the box vendor, maintenance, and a graphic design consultant. There are no additional funds for transportation or other expenses. 

OPPORTUNITIES AND ART SITES

The 34 identified utility boxes are owned and operated by the City of Sacramento and are primarily located in CADA’s project area in downtown Sacramento. The artist-designed wraps will be applied (by a licensed vinyl wrap vendor) using a standard fabrication and installation method. Artists can and are encouraged to use a variety of media; photography, painting, collage, and digital imagery to develop their designs.

PROJECT TIMELINE

10/1/20 – Call to Artists Launches

11/16/20 – Call to Artists Ends

11/30/20 – Panel meets to Review and Select Artists

12/4/20 – Selected Artists (Phase 1 and Phase 2) Notified

3/30/21 – Final Art due for Phase 1 artists

5/1/21 – Phase 1 Box Wraps installed

9/30/21 – Final Art due for Phase 2 artists

11/1/21 – Phase 2 Box Wraps installed

SELECTION PROCESS 

A selection panel will review submissions and identify artists (artist teams) to undertake the project.   The composition of the selection panel members may vary but will typically include a member of CADA (sponsoring organization), a curator or arts administrator, an artist, and a community stakeholder.  OAC staff will facilitate and moderate the panel selection process but do not vote in selection of the artists. 

If awarded the project commission, the selected artist may be required to attend periodic meetings in Sacramento and present concept proposals to the selection panel and CADA. The selected artist or artist team will be responsible for overseeing the design and installation of the commissioned artwork and for working cooperatively with the project stakeholders, city staff, and consultants. 

ARTIST SELECTION CRITERIA

The chosen artist / artist team will be selected according to the following criteria:

· Innovation, quality, and creativity in previous projects / artwork

· Experience and success in creating a public artwork in collaboration or cooperation with governmental agencies 

· Interest in site specific installations, even if artist’s previous work is all studio based

ELIGIBILITY 

The project is open to experienced professional artists over the age of 18. The final commission will be awarded based on the Artist Selection Criteria. Previous experience with public art or site-specific art is a benefit but is not required for selection. Artist teams should have proven experience and show artwork created together. Professional artists living in the Sacramento area are particularly encouraged to apply. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 

The entire submission must be completed on Submittable at https://sacmetroarts.submittable.com . There is no application fee to apply or to use Submittable. To apply, register a username and password, and follow the instructions. The call is listed as the CADA, Capitol Box Art Project Revival!  All requirements listed below must be met or the application will not be considered. 

· Artist Statement: (Maximum 250 words) Include a general introduction to your work. Discuss the concepts and ideas you explore in your artwork and how these ideas and issues are presented. If you are applying as a team, the statement should clearly describe the contribution of each collaborator. Teams may present an artist statement up to 350 words maximum.

· Resume: (Maximum 2 pages) Outline your recent experience and accomplishments as an artist. If applying as a team, each member may submit a separate one-page resume.

· Samples of your work - a maximum of ten (10) files: digital images in jpg, pdf, and tiff format are all acceptable with corresponding titles to match the Support Description list. Each file should highlight only one project. 

· Support Description list: (Maximum 2 pages) For each image/file submitted, list the title, date, size, and medium for studio work. For public art projects include a description, location, budget, and commissioning organization (if applicable). 

· References: Include the name, title, phone number, email, and mailing address of three references who are able to speak about your work. 

· Interest in Site-Specific Design: (Maximum 250 words) Briefly describe your interest in site specific design and how you envision your work in this urban environment. 

QUESTIONS

Donald Gensler, Project Manager, Sacramento Office of Arts + Culture, Art in Public Places, dgensler@cityofsacramento.org or call 916-808-8493. http://www.arts.sacramento.org