Applications Now Open, Erie County Artists Encouraged to Apply
ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County is excited to announce the launch of the Arts in Public Places 2024 Call to Artists, part of a new initiative designed to enhance the cultural landscape of our community through public art. The Call to Artists invites Erie County artists to submit proposals for public art installations that will beautify public spaces, engage the community, and promote cultural awareness. The selection process will be overseen by the Department of Environment & Planning and the Arts in Public Places Committee (“the Committee”), which is committed to ensuring that all projects reflect the values and diversity of Erie County. Today, Deputy Erie County Executive Lisa M. Chimera joined Erie County legislature Chairwoman April Baskin, Chairwoman of the Arts in Public Places Committee Alexa Wajed, Director of the WNY Artists Group Don Siuta, and personnel from the Department of Environment and planning to discuss the Call to Artists and other Erie County cultural supports.
“Art beautifies our community in many ways and shows that we care about the place we live in, transforming regular spaces into artistic creations that spur conversations and enrich our lives. Through the work of the Arts in Public Places Committee more thought-provoking pieces will be appearing throughout Erie County,” said Deputy County Executive Lisa M. Chimera. “This Call to Artists will recruit local artistic talent to further the mission of placing public art all across the county.”
The Committee seeks professional artists or artist-led teams to design, fabricate and install public art at the following locations:
- Seneca Bluffs Natural Habitat Park
- Como Lake Park
- Ellicott Creek Park
- Erie County Health Mall
- Buffalo Convention Center
In 2023, the Erie County Legislature passed a Local Law that provides ongoing financial support for public art to make art more accessible to all Erie County residents and visitors and to foster a sense of community connection and civic pride. The Arts in Public Places Committee was established to support the initiative by commissioning, selecting, placing, and preserving public art in a variety of media throughout the county.
The project is open to professional artists and artist-led teams residing in Erie County with an additional focus and priority for artists who are racially and ethnically diverse. Applicants should have experience completing projects of a similar size and budget, experience in completing projects on time and on budget, experience in public art, and experience working with other professionals including fabricators, landscape architects, engineers and government officials. Artists should also have experience creating permanent artwork in materials suitable for the climate of Erie County.
Artists may submit budgets up to $200,000. Proposed budgets must include artist fees and any and all other project expenses including but not limited to the design, engineering, fabrication, travel, transportation, delivery and installation of the artwork. The award will be paid over the course of the commission with milestones at design, fabrication, installation, and closing.
A virtual information session for artists is scheduled for November 15, 2024. The deadline for submissions is December 16, 2024 at noon.
For more information, visit: 2024 Call for Artists | Arts in Public Places (erie.gov)
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