Public Art for the Unity-Parkside Health Center

DCCAH Issues a Call to Artists to submit Qualifications for the Unity-Parkside Community Health Center Public Art Project

DCCAH seeks an artist or artist team to create a unique landmark that expresses the character, strength and vibrancy of the Parkside-Kenilworth neighborhood.

• QUALIFICATIONS DUE MARCH 4, 2013 Tonya Jordan, (202) 724-5613

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) seeks an artist or artist team with significant 3-dimensional experience to design, fabricate and install a permanent public artwork for the new Unity-Parkside Community Health Center, in the Kenilworth-Parkside neighborhood, located in the Northeast quadrant of Washington, DC.  The new health center will be located just down the road from the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, a National Park Service site that boasts some of the most beautiful water lilies and lotus flowers in the months of June and July. These famous blossoms are just one piece of Kenilworth-Parkside’s rich history. In present day, the community is largely residential and is actively invested in helping bring the changes that will define a positive future. Recently identified as a DC Promise neighborhood, Kenilworth-Parkside is experiencing a renewed investment in neighborhood revitalization and educating youth. Through surveys issued by DCCAH, it was a reoccurring theme that this public art project engage with the local history and help educate and inspire youth.

Based on their submitted qualifications, 3-5 Artist or Artist Teams will be shortlisted and awarded an honorarium of $1,000.00 to create a site-specific proposal that outlines their artistic design and vision. Shortlisted artists will be invited to visit the site and engage with the community for additional insight.

Currently, DCCAH has allocated up to $70,000  for the artist fees, design, fabrication, and installation.

For more information about the Unity-Parkside Community Health Center Public Art Project and to submit your qualifications please download the PDF below. Qualifications will be accepted from February 7, 2013 to March 4, 2013.

Related Documents:

• Public Art for the Unity­‐Parkside Health Center [PDF]

Call to artists | ART BANK

Extended Deadline:  The 2012 Art Bank deadline has been extended until Friday, November 9th at 11:59PM due to power loss and closures resulting from Hurricane Sandy. To apply to Art Bank II 2012, please visit:  http://dcarts.slideroom.com or contact Zoma Wallace at (202)724-5613 with any questions or concerns. This is not a postmark date.

Overview:

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) is the official District government agency for arts and culture.  Established in 1968, DCCAH’s primary mission is to provide grants, professional opportunities, educational enrichment, and other services to individuals and nonprofit organizations throughout the District of Columbia. In support of visual artists and art galleries in the Washington metropolitan area, artwork is purchased each year to expand the District’s Art Bank Collection, a growing collection of moveable works funded through DC Creates Public Art!  Works in this collection are owned by DCCAH under the District’s Art in Public Places Program and loaned to other District Government agencies for display in public areas of government buildings.  A segment of the collection is devoted to works that visually document Washington, highlighting the beauty and charm of our residents, neighborhoods, parks, avenues, and local landmarks.  Washington’s collection helps preserve the city’s past and is an important legacy for future generations.  Currently, close to 2,500 artworks are on display in over 150 District government agencies.  This program provides an opportunity for artists to have their artwork acquired and exhibited in public spaces as part of our continued commitment to support our vibrant artistic community.

Artwork:
The Commission is seeking two and three-dimensional works of art including prints, drawings, mixed media compositions, paintings, photographs, ceramics, and moveable sculptures. To expand the District’s collection further into new media forms of contemporary art, we strongly encourage video artists and other technological innovators to submit as well. Artists are also encouraged to submit works in series.  Representational, conceptual, and abstract works will be equally considered.

Each artist is allowed to submit up to ten images for consideration and all artwork submitted must be available for purchase and review upon submission (see calendar for dates).  Artwork must be created with archival materials and be no larger in size than 96” in any direction.  Weight shall not exceed 100 lbs.

Selection Process:
The Art Advisory Committee will review submitted images and make preliminary selections on Friday, November 9th, 2012.  Once notified, artists must deliver works identified for possible purchase to DCCAH for a final review by the selection committee no later than Friday, November 23rd, 2012.  After final selections are made, artists must retrieve works not selected by December 7th, 2012.  DCCAH reserves the right to negotiate the purchase price or decline to purchase any work selected by the committee.  As a government agency, we ask all artists and galleries for a 30% discount from retail value. DCCAH will frame all purchased artworks.  

Artist Eligibility:
This call is open to all artists who reside or maintain studio space in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.  However, preference will be given to District residents.

Calendar:

The 2012 Art Bank deadline has been extended until Friday, November 9th at 11:59PM due to power loss and closures resulting from Hurricane Sandy. To apply to Art Bank II 2012, please visit:  http://dcarts.slideroom.com or contact Zoma Wallace at (202)724-5613 with any questions or concerns.

Week of November 19-23: Artists required to drop off artwork for viewing per notification.
Tuesday, November 27: Final selections made
Week of December 3-7: Artists required to pick up works that are not accepted.

For More Information Contact:
Zoma Wallace, Art Bank Coordinator
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Zoma.Wallace@dc.gov
(202)724-5613

Online Application Checklist:

1. Application Information
2. Current Artist Resume
3. Image List (Title, medium, dimensions, and retail price)
4. Up to ten (10) digital jpeg images of artworks that are for sale.   

Frequently asked questions:

-Can I send slides or CD?
All applications are to be submitted digitally through http://dcarts.slideroom.com
Images on CD-R or in slide format will not be accepted.

-Can I submit my images via email?
Any images received via email will not be eligible.

-Can I hand-deliver my application to the DCCAH office?
All applications must be received online by Friday, September 30 at 11:59PM. This is not a postmark deadline, and there are no exceptions.  Late applications will be disqualified.

-My work is already in the Art Bank collection. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, it is equally desirous of the DCCAH to continue collecting from both new and returning artists each year.

-Should my work be framed upon delivery for selection?
No, please do not frame your work.  DCCAH will frame all selected works after purchase.