[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The Arts and Cultural Heritage Division (ACHD) of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Prince George’s Department of Parks and Recreation invites individual artists and artist teams to submit applications for exterior sculptural artwork to be installed on a temporary basis at the Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel, Maryland. ACHD is seeking existing sculptural works that fit the criteria described in this solicitation, rather than design and fabrication of new work.
The selected artwork will be placed on a concrete pad sited on a lawn area at the center of the circular driveway directly in front of the entry to the Art Center and grounds leading to Montpelier Mansion. Dimensions of the concrete pad measure is approximately 14 feet in diameter and 6 inches in height. Based on engineering specifications, the pad can support a variety of types and weights of sculpture.
Click here for the application / registration
Apply by: 4 September 2023
This public art project seeks to enhance the outdoor environment of the Montpelier Arts Center and Mansion by:
- Making a significant statement that relates to the sense of place associated with the site
- Having a strong daytime and nighttime presence
- Setting a standard of excellence for future public art projects planned for Prince George’s County
- Capturing Prince George’s County’s historic and modern significance to the Greater Washington, D.C. region
The budget for the temporary art installation is $3,000 for the two-year exhibition period. Payment for the project will be made in two installments: with a deposit of $2,000 paid upon successful installation of the artwork and initiation of the project, and a final payment of $1,000 upon the successful deinstallation and completion of the project.
About The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a bi-county agency established in 1927 that serves both Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties in Maryland by providing long-range planning, park acquisition/development, and administration of the Prince George’s County Recreation Program.
The Prince George’s Department of Parks and Recreation is a well-respected leader in the field with an unprecedented six national gold medals for excellence. It operates and maintains more than 27,000 acres of parkland throughout the county. With cooperation and input from diverse communities throughout Prince George’s County, the Department operates a comprehensive park and recreation system that offers programs and facilities designed to meet the needs and interests of patrons of all ages.
For more information, contact brittney.mcgowan@pgparks.com.
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The Oak Bay Parks, Recreation, and Culture announces a call for artists for the annual Arts Alive Public Art Program, a public art exhibition. Sculptures are selected by a peer jury to be displayed for up to a year at outdoor sites in Oak Bay, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. They are on temporary loan by the artists who are sponsored by a local business or community group.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 23 January 2023
Oak Bay Parks, Recreation, and Culture has installed outdoor sculptures in a variety of locations around Oak Bay — from stylized realistic pieces to the purely abstract, in various media including static and kinetic sculpture. They have been greatly appreciated for their artistic merit and have challenged viewers to pause and reflect about living in this special seaside community, proud of its distinct heritage even as it contemplates its future as a vibrant place to live and work. The permanent sculptures frame views, animate parks, streetscapes, and viewpoints.
Arts Alive Public Art Program Theme for 2023: What is home?
This is an excellent opportunity for both mid-career and emerging artists to showcase their work. Artists are invited to reflect on and interpret the theme ‘What is Home?’.
A physical space or place? A nation or region? A connection to land or landscape? A sanctuary? A memory? Recollections of layers of history told through stories or legends? Cultural roots that extend for many generations? A safe space that satisfies the longing for connection? A palatial, modest, temporary or mobile residence? A place that is rented, borrowed or owned? A safe space that satisfies the longing for belonging? A place to thrive, forgive, love, celebrate, play, share, and dream of the future? A place that is no longer there, hidden, or make-shift?
How can an idea of home be communicated through the medium of sculpture?
Arts Alive Artist Benefits
Artist’s work will have exposure to thousands of residents and visitors in this high-profile program. The municipality, local media, and Oak Bay Tourism will promote this show throughout the year. Related arts events like art walks, paint-ins, concerts, and celebrations will be organized, generating excitement, and building community.
- Artists based in Western Canada are invited to apply for our 2023-2024 outdoor public art program
- Work will be displayed for approximately 1 year.
- Proposals will be reviewed by an expert volunteer jury.
- Depending on community sponsorships, up to 8 works may be selected.
- Successful submissions will be provided with an honorarium of $1,600.
About Oak Bay
The municipality of Oak Bay is part of Greater Victoria and is located on the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It lies in the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən people, known today as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
Surrounded by beaches and parkland, its scenery includes splendid views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Salish Sea. This geologically fascinating area is home to the unique and rare Garry Oak meadow ecosystem.
The 18,000 residents have a deep attachment to a natural and built environment. This municipality is legendary for its fine domestic architecture; picturesque, luxuriant gardens; and parks. Its compact and charming village heart is the home of several art galleries enjoyed by local artists and art enthusiasts.
For more information, contact apass@oakbay.ca.
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The Allied Arts Council along with the City of St Joseph invites regional, national, and international sculpture artists to enter a sculpture for the 10th annual St Joseph Sculpture Walk, an exhibit of beautiful outdoor sculptures displayed for one year in Downtown St Joseph, Missouri.
Click here for the application / registration
Apply by: 10 February 2023
Notification of acceptance on or before February 28, 2023.
Financial assistance is provided by the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The selected sculptures will be displayed Downtown for the June 2023 – May 2024 exhibition.
Artists selected to receive a $750 honorarium per sculpture selected and compete for up to $15,000 in cash prize awards. Each sculpture is for sale to the public. Additionally, one sculpture is purchased to become a permanent part of St Joseph’s public art collection. Each year, the Downtown St Joseph Sculpture Walk opens with a guided “First Walk,” which is attended by over 100 guests. The event begins with a reception where the first, second, and third prize winners are announced. This is the 10th year for this project. It has a solid audience throughout the area including the Kansas City Metro region. The St Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau aids in promoting the event. Local residents and tourists are invited to vote for the People’s Choice award.
Teresa Fankhauser, Executive Director of the Allied Arts Council, said she hopes to see new artists apply and display their sculptures. “People love walking Downtown and seeing the sculptures,” Fankhauser said. “It’s great to see sculptures become permanent in St Joseph.”
About Allied Arts Council
The Allied Arts Council was organized in 1963 to provide service to St Joseph area arts organizations, artists, and the general public. The Council has since grown into a federation of sixteen arts agencies and produces community arts programs, raises funds, promotes public awareness, and provides service and support to its member agencies. The Allied Arts Council seeks to make St Joseph a better place to live through the arts. Its mission is to provide leadership and support for the arts and to its member organizations.
For more information, contact teresa.fankhauser@stjoearts.org.
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] Fontys announces a call for artists for for the international Master Performing Public Space (PPS) focused on a variety of art disciplines who currently focus on public space as their artistic environment. The program is committed to understanding how cultural developments can produce meaningful change within our shared spaces, based on the idea that public space exists only when it is socially performed.
In a time in which political and social structures are re-considered heavily, PPS offers a flexible and innovative environment to artistically question, redefine and reclaim public space in its broadest sense. Combining an interdisciplinary range of approaches and subjects, with an equally diverse range of research methods, PPS creates the opportunity for artists to explore their practice and its potential in public space. Creatives with a background in theatre, dance, circus, music, fine arts, architecture, digital arts, and graphic design are welcome to join this program.
Click here for the application / registration
Apply by: 31 March 2023
Master Performing Public Space Program format
- One-Year
- International
- Full-Time
- Multidisciplinary
- Blended-learning program: continuous online education and bootcamps (intensive weeks hosted on-site in Tilburg, the Netherlands)
The primary goal of the program is to enable students to adopt an independent and critical reflective attitude while inventively switching between different roles in the organizational process of their artistic research. This Master offers its students the necessary tools to perform critically and effectively as artists and researchers, able to navigate complex modes and methods surrounding the contemporary artistic process and result.
Why this study?
- International art and research community
- Individual coaching and collective experimentation
- Work in an interdisciplinary setting
- Strengthen critical and artistic positioning
- 24/7 access to the online learning platform
“Performing Public Space helped me develop the vocabulary and mindset for investigative artistic practice which I can apply to solve pressing spatial issues, both digital and physical.”
– Helen Scarlett O’Neill / Artist / PPS graduate 2020 / UK
About Fontys
The Master Performing Public Space is part of Fontys Fine and Performing Arts in Tilburg. Fifteen different art courses are taught at Fontys Fine and Performing Arts. Dance, music, visual arts, design, theatre, and circus can all be found within this institute.
Fontys Fine and Performing Arts’ ambitions includes development into an interdisciplinary arts institute that collaborates in a dynamic way with partners from the professional field. In the process, Fontys distinctly wants to search for connection with international partners. In our urban and regional areas, Fontys wants to be an indicator and a collaboration partner, participating in relevant activities based on knowledge, experience, and creativity.
For more information, contact fhkpublicspace@fontys.nl.
Image: Lukáš Palatinus / Jitka Čechová, PPS Graduate 2022
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The City of Penticton, British Columbia, announces a call for artists for their Public Sculpture Exhibition which opens May 2023. Created in 2016, Penticton’s Public Sculpture Exhibition (PPSE) is a year-long outdoor exhibit of original sculptures. Seven (7) sculptures will be located along the Okanagan Lake waterfront or downtown, and one (1) larger feature sculpture for the Front Street roundabout (intersections of Front Street, Marina Way, Ellis Street and Vancouver Avenue) in Penticton, BC.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 5 December 2022
The Pentiction Sculpture Walk Exhibition is committed to serving the public by providing access to various mediums of public sculpture. It is well noted that public art slows down the pedestrian traffic, providing a positive impact on the enjoyment and mood of the general public, influences how people see and connect within their communities, and provides an opportunity for dialogue between friends and strangers. Through an annual revolving collection of sculptures, the City of Pentiction hopes to provide a freshness to public art that engages, connects, and provides its community with a sense of image and identity, as well as including artists as contributors to this cultural fabric.
General Information
- PPSE is open to professional sculptors of all backgrounds.
- Previously completed sculpture photos, or proposed designs can be submitted. For proposed designs, detailed drawings of the proposed sculpture must be included, as well as photo examples of previous work.
- Lakefront/downtown sculptures are required to remain on site for the duration of one year (May 2023 – April 2024). The roundabout sculpture may be negotiated into a two-year term (May 2023-April 2025).
- Artists will be responsible for transportation of their sculpture to and from site. Pedestals / pads will be provided by the PPSE.
- Artists will retain the ownership of their sculpture and will be responsible for carrying comprehensive insurance to cover it in the event of theft or vandalism and public liability, or will sign an indemnification in favour of the City of Penticton for any liability claims against the City as a result of the existence or location of the sculpture within the City during the exhibition. The risk of loss or damage to the sculpture will always be borne by the artist, and the artist will be responsible to repair and or replace all or part of the sculpture in the event of loss or damage thereto during the exhibition.
- The City will enter into a lease agreement with the Artist for the duration of the exhibition and the Artist is responsible to uphold all terms and conditions of the agreement as set out by the City.
- City staff will perform the installation to ensure that the work is done in accordance with City standards, and to optimize the viewing of the sculpture.
- Sculptures will be placed in predetermined locations at the discretion of the PPSE committee and City.
- Artists are encouraged to be present for the installation of their sculpture(s) in May, 2023, and removal in April, 2024. In the event the artist cannot be present, they are required to provide, in writing, a representative to be present on their behalf.
- At the end of the lease any sales/leases of sculptures will be conducted solely by the artist or their agent and will not involve the City.
- The City will be responsible for media relations and publicity for the sculpture exhibition.
- The artist will retain copyright for their sculpture and grant the City a license to take and distribute images of the sculptures. Any other likeness or models of the sculpture will not be created without the explicit permission of the artist.
Public Sculpture Exhibition Artist Benefits
Artists will be paid a set lease price of $2,000 for the waterfront/downtown sculptures and $3,000 for the roundabout sculpture. In addition to the lease amounts, prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ($500, $300, and $200 respectively) will be awarded. The sculptures are owned by the artists and leased by the City of Penticton.
With Pentiction being a year-round tourist destination in British Columbia’s heart of the Okanagan, chosen artists will benefit by receiving access to the general public for a period of one full year, for the waterfront or downtown sites, and a possible two-year period for the Front Street roundabout site. Throughout the lease period, artists gain access to further leasing or sales opportunities that may conclude at the end of the lease period. These further opportunities will be conducted solely by the artist and outside of the involvement of the City.
About the City of Penticton
Nestled between two lakes, Penticton enjoys long, hot summers, dry winters and more than 2,000 hours of sunshine each year. The city is located in the southern Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, which is easily accessed by major highways and airports. Known for beaches, wine, and orchards, not to mention a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. Hop on your bike to discover award-winning wineries and trails with stellar views. Shop at the bustling outdoor market, peruse art galleries or go skating at the modern Community Centre. Ski champagne powder slopes or take in a hockey game or concert at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Penticton is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people. Its name, from the Interior Salish word snpintktn, is commonly translated as “a place to stay forever,” or more accurately, “a place where people live year-round.” It’s the kind of place where people come to visit for the holidays – and never want to leave.
For more information, contact info@proficientartstallations.ca.
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The City of Newport Beach announces a call for entries for Phase VIII of its ongoing Newport Beach Sculpture Exhibition to further activate the splendor of the City’s Civic Center Park. Artists, private collectors, galleries, and museums/non-profit institutions are invited to submit artworks for consideration for a temporary exhibition at the site.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 30 November 2022
Up to ten artworks may be selected and showcased for two years in the heart of Newport Beach in Civic Center Park. The 14-acre, ocean view site was specially designed by renowned landscape architect Peter Walker as an intended sculpture garden. There is no application fee.
An all-inclusive honorarium of up to $5,000 will cover transportation logistics, insurance, and artist’s fee. Tens of thousands of visitors walk through Civic Center Park every year, and frequently pose with and share pictures of the sculptures. At least one work has been purchased for permanent display and another for a private collector. Brochures, audio tour, and online promotion describe the work and artist. There is an annual celebratory luncheon debuting the newly-installed works.
This is the eighth cycle for the Newport Beach Sculpture Exhibition, which has become a beloved public art institution in the city. Several artists have become repeat exhibitors, embraced and celebrated by the community for the character of their work and how it activates the environment of the Civic Center.
About Arts Orange County
Arts Orange County (ArtsOC) is the independent nonprofit arts council for Orange County, California, and is dedicated to sustaining, strengthening, and advancing its creative ecology. Designated by the County as its official local arts agency, ArtsOC is the community’s leading advocate and service provider for the arts and arts education. As one of the portfolio of services, ArtsOC is contracted by the City of Newport Beach to provide administration and facilitation services for this public art call.
For more information, contact nthurkettle@artsoc.org.
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] Embracing Our Differences announces a call for artists for their 20th annual outdoor juried art exhibit celebrating diversity featuring 50 billboard size images (12.5 feet by 16 feet) created by local, national, and international artists and writers.
The display reflects the artists’ interpretations of the theme “enriching lives through diversity.” The exhibit will be on display January 18 through May 29, 2023 in three locations through Sarasota and Manatee counties in Florida.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 5 October 2022
Art is a powerful tool to evoke social change. Without uttering a single word, artists can enlighten, educate, and affect change around the world. Since 2004, Embracing Our Differences has used the power of art and prose to promote diversity.
In celebration of Embracing Our Differences’ 20th anniversary, the outdoor juried art exhibit award amounts have been doubled this year.
- Awards are given for “Best-in-Show Adult,” “Best-in-Show Student,” and “People’s Choice” categories, with the last chosen by visitors to the exhibit.
- Adult winners each receive $2,000; students receive $2,000 with $1,000 to be directed to the student and $1,000 to their school’s art program, if they worked under the direction of an educator.
In 2022, over 370,000 people visited the exhibition when it was located at Bayfront Park. With the exhibition moving to three separate locations, Embracing Our Differences expects there to be even more exposure for the artists’ artwork.
About Embracing Our Differences
Embracing Our Differences is a nonprofit organization based in Sarasota, Florida, that uses the power of art and education to expand consciousness and open the heart to celebrate the diversity of the human family. It accomplishes this through an annual, large-scale, juried art exhibition as well as a comprehensive series of educational initiatives, programs, and resources designed for teachers and students. Embracing Our Differences’ annual outdoor exhibit is at the heart of a year-round program of activities designed to use art as a catalyst to create awareness and promote diversity.
Education initiatives are crucial to Embracing Our Differences’ mission. Presented in partnership with regional school districts and nationally recognized educators, these programs positively impact the lives of thousands of area teachers and students every year. Programs include workshops and retreats that provide diversity curricula for area educators, free bus transportation for students and teachers to visit cultural venues, and student docent programs in high schools.
Embracing Our Differences continues to lead as one of the largest education programs in southwest Florida. Since 2004, more than 529,000 students have participated including 52,274 students and 1,808 teachers during the 2021-2022 school year.
For more information, contact liz@embracingourdifferences.org.
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[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The Decatur Arts Alliance, with the City of Decatur, seeks sculpture artists for acquisition of existing work for Sam’s Crossing retail/residential district in Decatur, Georgia. The work will become a part of the city’s permanent collection. Sculpture artists can submit completed or in-progress work. The Decatur Arts Alliance invites submissions from artists who are eligible to work in the United States.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 16 October 2022
The Decatur Arts Alliance is seeking three different sculptures, each to be installed at one of three specific sites within the retail/residential district. Total compensation is based on the site specifications.
- Site A: Up to $40,000 – South side of the retail district on East Ponce de Leon Avenue. The work can be up to 8 feet in diameter and 30 feet in height.
- Site B: Up to $50,000 – Located adjacent to the residential apartment community on the corner of East Ponce de Leon Avenue, 5 feet in diameter and 40 feet in height.
- Site C: $30,000 – Located between 2 freestanding retail buildings, the work should be no more than 3 feet in diameter and up to 10 feet in height.
The Decatur Arts Alliance and the City of Decatur are working with the developers of the retail space and the residential community for this public art installation. The Sam’s Crossing retail/residential district is located on a 10-acre site comprised 69,000 square feet of commercial retail space, including a Publix grocery at 2720 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue and 290 unit Notion apartments at 175 North Arcadia Avenue. Building construction of the retail development was completed in 2021. The residential apartments will be completed in 2022.
About Decatur Arts Alliance
The Decatur Arts Alliance is a nonprofit partnership of artists, business owners, and residents dedicated to supporting and enhancing the arts in the city of Decatur. The Decatur Arts Alliance sponsors the annual festivals and special art events for members only. It provides a collaborative environment to coordinate the interests of artists, gallery owners, theater groups, dance groups, and performance venues within Decatur as well as develop the city as a strong arts community.
Public art has long been recognized as a community asset, but because many of its benefits seem intangible, it is often treated as a low priority, especially during challenging economic times. The Decatur Arts Alliance has shown that prioritizing public art can lead to increased levels of community engagement and social cohesion.
For more information, contact artsubmissions@decaturartsalliance.org.
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[Sponsored Listing] The Milford Cultural Council is seeking artists to submit designs for the Trash To Treasure Barrel Project; 30-gallon steel trash barrels to be placed on the Upper Charles trail and in parks in Milford, MA. Anyone who is a Massachusetts resident can apply to design and paint a barrel, including both amateur and professional artists as well as art and educational institutions, businesses, and youth groups.
The Council would like to have the broadest possible reach in hopes of acquiring the highest level of talent and imagination for this project. Participants from art educational institutions may consist of students, faculty, and alumni.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 17 June 2022
Trash To Treasure Barrel Project Artist Benefits
- Paid a stipend between $250-500
- Recognized on a metal plaque installed on each barrel upon completion
- Included in an online portfolio of all final designs
- Names will be listed in all press releases announcing winning artists and completed projects
- Invited to attend reveal event on September 10 so they can meet members of the community
All participating artists will be considered for future public art projects in Milford, MA.
About Milford Cultural Council
As a local partner of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Milford Cultural Council seeks to promote excellence, inclusion, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and sciences to foster a rich cultural life for all Milford residents; thereby, contributing to the vitality of the community and economy. The Council launched their first public art initiative last year, Brush to Table Picnic Table Project, which was greeted by overwhelming enthusiasm by the community. The Council looks forward to working with a diverse range of artists to bring new public art projects to a successful reality.
For more information, contact culturalcouncil@townofmilford.com.
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[Sponsored Listing] The City of Woodstock, Illinois, seeks artists’ proposals for the North Benton Street Mural as part of an outdoor dining and entertainment area in its historic downtown district. The commissioning of a new mural in the historic district is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to give residents and visitors opportunities to engage with the arts.
The mural will be attached to the exterior, west-facing facade of a privately owned building at 220 North Benton Street. The proposed mural site is located on a street adjacent to the historic Woodstock Square and within the historic district. During summer months, the street is closed to vehicular traffic. It is used as an outdoor dining and entertainment space by several nearby restaurants. The site has high visibility and a significant amount of pedestrian traffic.
Residents and visitors come to the historic Woodstock Square to attend performances at the Woodstock Opera House and private music and movie venues, as well as numerous special events throughout the year. The award-winning Woodstock Farmers Market, locally owned shops, and popular bars and restaurants attract people to the Woodstock Square in large numbers.
Click here for the application / registration
Enter by: 25 Feb 2022
Timeline:
- Finalists selected: By March 4, 2022
- Design submissions: By March 25, 2022
- Mural agreement available: By April 15, 2022
- Project completed: By July 15, 2022
There is no submission fee. Artists may submit more than one proposed concept. Designs must be the artist’s own work and must not violate any copyright restrictions. Any artist with previous mural design and installation experience is eligible to submit a proposal. All correspondence and contracts are part of the public record. By submitting materials you are (1) consenting to the release of those materials by the City in response to requests under the Public Records Act and (2) agreeing to indemnify and hold harmless the City for release of such information.
Artists shall submit the following for consideration:
- Artist Application
- Resume
- Link to portfolio
- One to two paragraph narrative describing design concept, including substrate
- Reference
City staff will review applications for completeness and eligibility. The City Council will determine final project award and contract terms. Designs may also be subject to review by the City’s Historic Preservation Commission and the City’s Arts Commission. After review by an art advisory group, finalists will be selected and notified to submit a full-color design for consideration. A $500 design fee will be paid to those artists not chosen as the finalist.
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Artistic excellence, vibrancy, and originality of the artist
- Appropriateness of the design for its site in Woodstock’s entertainment district
- Documented experience of the artist in completing similar projects
The mural will be mounted to the west-facing brick façade of a historic building. The space available for the mural is approximately 30 feet by 12 feet. Permission from the building owner has been secured. It is clean and in good condition for an installation. The wall abuts the sidewalk; there are no obstructions. The City will work with the selected artist to accommodate requests for access to power and water as well as overnight storage of materials. The mural should be installed to withstand weather and other site conditions for a term to be agreed upon by the selected artist and the City in the mural agreement. The mural is subject to removal by the City at any time during or after the agreed upon period.
Policies:
- The selected artist must show proof of liability insurance prior to beginning mural installation. The City of Woodstock, Benton Street LLC, and any other parties participating in installation must be named as additional insured entities.
- Proposed designs remain the property of the artist unless the design is selected by the City. The selected design and installed mural will be the property of the City of Woodstock. As such, no royalties or fees, beyond the initial artist’s fee, will be attached to its ongoing use by the City.
- Any unapproved substitutions or deviations from the approved final design or proposed materials may result in termination of contract, removal of imagery, and non-payment of any amount due. City staff will monitor mural installation.
North Benton Street Mural Artist Benefits
The artist stipend is $12,000. This amount must cover the artist’s design fee, supplies and travel. The City of Woodstock will pay for the substrate and equipment necessary to complete the project onsite. One-third of the amount will be paid when the mural agreement is signed; one-third at the project mid-point; and one-third when the project is completed.
Woodstock prides itself as McHenry County’s epicenter of artists, creative entrepreneurs, and those who appreciate imaginative expressions in an area rich with visionaries. Located in a collar county, Woodstock is a commuter rail stop away from Chicago and acts as a uniquely urban city surrounded by rural amenities such as agri-tourism farms, designated scenic drives and conservation areas nestled within glacial topography.
Woodstock’s rich history and vibrant sense of community provide a far-reaching opportunity for interested artists to express themselves, spark conversation, and capture the essence of a modern place rooted in its rich past.
Interested artists will find that Woodstock’s far-reaching marketing and recognizable Real Woodstock brand, along with community support for the arts, is tailor-made to propel commissioned works to the forefront of national awareness. Coupled with City support through its newly formed Arts Commission, artists commissioned for inaugural exhibits will be featured prominently as the public arts program continues to gain momentum through well-curated 2-D and 3-D art installations.
About the City of Woodstock, Illinois
Woodstock is the arts and culture focal point of McHenry County, Illinois. The Historic Woodstock Square is home to the Woodstock Opera House, Stage Left Café, and numerous other arts and entertainment venues. In its most recent downtown development plan, the City identified the creation of public art in the Woodstock Square Historic District as a goal.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized as a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and named a Preserve America Community by the White House, Woodstock is a community unlike any other. The Historic Woodstock Square offers many shops and retail establishments in a unique and nostalgic atmosphere.
Throughout the year, Woodstock is host to many events, festivals, and fairs, from Fair Diddley Art Fair, to Summer Band Concerts, award-winning Farmer’s Market, to HarvestFest, and Groundhog Days–celebrating Woodstock’s starring role as Punxsutawney, PA in the 1992 Bill Murray classic movie Groundhog Day. The beautiful Gothic style Opera House serves as the cultural entertainment center of Woodstock, featuring plays, concerts, and performances throughout the year, including the Midwest Mozart Festival each summer.
For more information, contact kcoltrin@woodstockil.gov.