REQUEST FOR ARTIST QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) Town of Spencer Downtown Mural Program
DEADLINE: November 18, 2024, 5:00PM
Project Overview:
The Downtown Mural Program Selection Committee is seeking qualifications from artists or artist teams for the commission of several outdoor public murals in the Town of Spencer, NC. The Town expects to select at least two artists or artist teams to contribute murals to an ongoing mural walk project.
The exact number of artists selected, and the number of murals commissioned is subject to change based on the Town’s discretion, budget, and location availability. The murals will be located throughout Spencer’s downtown and are created with the aim of enhancing connectivity between cultural and economic assets in Spencer’s town center.
The Town is considering other locations for murals in downtown Spencer, and the Town may reach out to artists not chosen for the two locations in question, for another associated mural project. If the artist is not interested in being considered for other mural locations, they should state so in their application.
Artists and artist teams are welcome to express interest in completing one mural and/or a series of murals. This is a qualifications-based selection process; artists will develop concepts after they are selected based on their experience, artistry, alignment with the program’s goals, and demonstrated interest. The goals for the Mural Program, adopted by the Spencer Mural Selection Committee providing oversight for the program, are as follows:
To use creative placemaking efforts to develop Spencer’s contemporary identity through community-based collaboration.
To explore the vibrancy of Spencer through the cultural experiences that promote the history, arts, industry, and regional authenticity that make this town special.
To revitalize downtown as a cultural and shopping experience for both residents and visitors.
To provide economic opportunities for local and regional artists, establishing Spencer as a place for creative people to live, work, and collaborate.
To inspire, motivate, and instill pride in residents by creating an accessible outdoor gallery of beautiful and thought-provoking public art that reflects the unique character of our community.
Artists will work extensively with both the Town of Spencer, the Spencer Mural Selection Committee, and potentially certain experts to develop mural concepts and concept work. As all of downtown Spencer is within a historic district, the final concept work will need to receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) as well as final approval from the Spencer Board of Aldermen (the elected town council).
The Committee will select artists with consideration to their entire portfolio of walls with the aim of having a variety of artistic styles, mural themes, and artistic backgrounds represented. We welcome applications from seasoned muralists, local artists, as well as national and international artists. The Committee is especially interested in receiving submissions from artists with experience and interest in collaborative, community-based mural projects that build social ties, represent diversity, and/or develop a sense of communal ownership of public spaces. Preference will be given to North Carolina artists or artists with a strong North Carolina connection.
Tying this whole project together will be a digital guide accessed through onsite QR codes which will give visitors access to digital content including interviews with historians and the artists, footage of the mural creation process, custom filters, photographs, audio, and augmented reality features. Artists will be asked to give their permission to be filmed and participate in interviews and related project development, as well as to document the mural creation process themselves. Please refer to Charlotte South End Mural Walk as an example of this technology in action.
All materials shall be submitted to Skye Allan by email at sallan@spencernc.gov in a single PDF document by Monday 10/18/ 2024 at 5 PM. The Town of Spencer and the Spencer Mural Selection Committee reserve the right to change the project timeline
MARY ALICE WARREN COMMUNITY CENTER MURAL
CALL FOR ARTISTS
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 1, 2024
PROJECT DEADLINE: May 10, 2025
SUBMITTALS ACCEPTED ELECTRONICALLY ONLY: publicart@lewisville.net
TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET: $2,500
Overview
Through a grant from the Shallow Ford Foundation and town funding, The Lewisville Public Art Advisory Committee is seeking an artist or artist team to submit a proposal for a permanent, indoor mural for the Town of Lewisville to be installed in the Mary Alice Warren Community Center.
About Mary Alice Warren Community Center
The Mary Alice Warren Community Center is a 12,000 square-foot center that includes a multi-purpose conference room used for meal set-up, events, receptions, parties, and classes. The building includes an arts and crafts room, a small conference room, a large atrium area with a fireplace and a covered porch with an outdoor fireplace facing the wooded landscape. In addition, the new facility includes a large, covered patio. Public Art themes suggested by the citizens of Lewisville include, but are not limited to: nature (plants, flowers, animals, etc.), music, and family. Also included are suggestions of incorporating history, this could somehow include a “gateway to the Shallowford” or the theme of “crossing the Shallowford.” However we suggest that you not get caught up on the theme of solely a wagon. Of course, artistic ideas rest in your hands and we look forward to your submission.
Project Budget
The total amount to be paid to the artist is up to $2,500, inclusive of the research, engagement, proposal, fabrication, materials, travel and any other costs incurred by the artist.
Artist Eligibility
Artist/Artist team MUST be a Lewisville, NC resident. Artists submit a detailed design proposal
as well as examples of past work. Artist must be available for the mural reception on May 16, 2025; 5:30 - 6:30 PM.
Project Measurements and Placement
The mural should fit with an 8.5 feet by 3.5 feet space located in an alcove off the main entrance of the Mary Alice Warren Community Center (see attached photo of location and measurements). The mural will be created by the artist offsite (as one large piece or in panels, in any medium) and then installed by town staff once completed. We highly encourage artists to visit the Community Center to see the location in person.
Questions shall be submitted via email to publicart@lewisvillenc.net
GRAND CENTRAL ART CENTER
TWO FULL-TIME FACULTY POSITIONS OPEN
ASST PROF OF DRAWING & PAINTING and
ASST PROF OF ENTERTAINMENT ART / ANIMATION
DEPARTMENT OF VISUAL ART
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON (CSUF)
The Department of Visual Arts at California State University, Fullerton, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Drawing and Painting and a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Entertainment Art / Animation, both appointments to begin Fall Semester 2025.
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is a minority-serving institution, affirmative action, and equal opportunity employer. CSUF is firmly committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum and fostering an inclusive environment within which students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences. Individuals advancing the University's strategic diversity goals and those from groups whose underrepresentation in the American professoriate has been severe and longstanding are particularly encouraged to apply.
SOUTH ARTS
UPCOMING GRANTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
JAZZ ROAD TOURS
DEADLINE: December 4, 2024
Jazz artists, take your music to places it’s never been. Jazz road Tours offer grants of up to $15,000 to develop tours into communities across the country.
LITERARY ARTS GRANT
DEADLINE: December 4, 2024
As part of its Literary Arts Initiative, South Arts is excited to announce grants for literary arts projects for writers and publishers. These grants deepen our commitment to amplifying literary traditions and practices of the American South through directly funding the initiation, development, and completion of literary arts projects in poetry, fiction, creative or literary nonfiction, young readers literature, and drama (playwriting and screenwriting).
EXPRESS GRANTS
ONGOING
Open to organizations in rural communities of 50,000 people or less, the Express Grant program offers expedited awards of up to $3,000 supporting the presentation of touring artists.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ARTISTIC PLANNING GRANTS
ONGOING
These grants offer up to $1,000 to support artistic planning and the professional development needs of Southern presenters, programmers, or curators.
SOUTHERN PRIZE AND STATEFELLOWSHIPS FOR LITERARY ARTS
The Southern Prize and State Fellowships for Literary Arts support, acknowledge, and celebrate writers in our nine0state region with $80,000 in awards. The genre for the 2025 cycle is Poetry.
SOUTHERN PRIZE AND STATE FELLOWSHIPS FOR VISUAL ARTS
The Southern Prize and State Fellowships is open to visual artists in our nine-state region to support, expose, and celebrate the breadth, depth, and diversity of artistic excellence.
CALL FOR PRESETNERS AND VENUES
ONGOING
We are looking for presenters of all types, from jazz clubs to places of worship to performing arts centers to house concerts to non-traditional presenters, and communities from rural or isolated to urban.
AUGSBURG LUTHERAN CHURCH
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Request for Proposal
Baptismal Font Basin
As part of campus renovations and renewal at Augsburg Lutheran Church, we would like to commission an artist to produce a basin to replace the current basin. This art piece will visually link us to the sacrament of Holy Baptism with literal, figurative or abstract imagery.
Current
Currently, this hexagonal, wooden font has a copper liner that fits the opening in the wooden top surface. The liner receives a metal bowl.
Font physical dimensions
The top plate of the font is 23” h X 23” w.
The opening in the top plate is 13” diameter.
The liner that fits the opening is about 4.5” deep.
The lip that the liner rests on is about .375” in depth.
The inner shelf is 11” below the lower edge of the lip.
The lid has a “plug” that fits into the basin, and is about 11.5” diameter, and .75” thick.
Modifications
The lip, possibly the opening, and the lid could be modified to work with a new basin.
Parameters
The new basin should be easy enough to lift out of the font base for cleaning and emptying. The piece should be sturdy enough to endure weekly use.
Inspiration
Baptism is one of two sacraments of the Lutheran Church (ELCA). Here are words from the
Baptismal Service:
In baptism our gracious heavenly Father frees us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are born children of a fallen humanity; by water and the Holy Spirit we are reborn children of God and made members of the church, the body of Christ. Living with Christ and in the communion of saints, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God.
We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight. Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family, and through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By the baptism of Jesus' death and resurrection you set us free from the power of sin and death and raise us up to live in you.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, the power of your living Word, that those who are washed in the waters of baptism may be given new life. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Process
We are open to proposals executed in ceramic or glass. Proposals should include a narrative description and/or possibly a sketch along with portfolio examples representative of your proposal. Discussion is welcome. Proposals will be accepted through December 20, 2024. A decision will be made by January 17, 2025. The final piece will be due by May 30, 2025.
Questions and proposals should be submitted to Kevin Kooken. kevinkooken@gmail.com
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