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2025 Call for Art: Small Works

 

Public Art Opportunity

County of Erie (New York) Arts in Public Places (AIPP)
Call Open: June 2, 2025
Deadline for Submissions: TUESDAY July 15, 2025. 12PM NOON
Please Note: Only Erie County residents are eligible to apply
Click HERE for the flyer.

Project Overview: 

The Erie County Arts in Public Places Committee seeks artwork for installation at the Buffalo Convention Center. Works should be original (no reproductions), and should be ready for installation and exhibition. Works may be in any medium. There are no size limitations other than those dictated by the exhibition space. Artists may submit up to three works for consideration, please complete a separate application for each work.

Works collected through this Call for Art will be part of Erie County’s new Public Art Collection. 

Project Background: 

In 2023, the Erie County Legislature passed a Local Law that provides ongoing financial support for public art. The law seeks to make art more accessible to county residents and visitors and 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 Arts in Public Places Committee is committed to enhancing Erie County’s public spaces with the inclusion of artwork that reflects the diversity and creativity of the local community. As part of this commitment, the Committee will consider the purchase of small works of art to be displayed inside the Buffalo Convention Center. Once purchased, small works may be moved periodically for display in other county-owned buildings, such as government offices, libraries, and community centers, where they can be enjoyed by the public and contribute to a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere. This initiative provides local artists with an opportunity to contribute to the aesthetic and cultural landscape of the region while promoting public engagement with the arts.

Project Location: Buffalo Convention Center

Address: 153 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202.

Details: Owned by Erie County, the Buffalo Convention Center recently underwent major upgrades including an overhaul of the building’s façade along Franklin Street and renovations to interior lobby and convention spaces. Additional investment is planned in the coming months including the installation of a mural on the facility’s Pearl Street exterior. Building on this momentum, the facility’s attendance reached approximately one hundred seventy thousand visitors in 2024, with even higher attendance anticipated for 2025. Selected Works will be displayed prominently in the facility’s first floor, offering a strong opportunity for Erie County artists to showcase their Work. 

Below is a link to the layout depicting where the artwork will be installed within the Convention Center first floor area. Please note arrows on the floor plan indicate wall dimensions of exhibit space where artwork will be displayed. The Committee will identify the appropriate location to install each Work. The artwork will be affixed to the wall; sculptural or freestanding pieces will be placed at the discretion of the Committee within the first-floor area. Submissions should consider the dimensions of available exhibit space. There are no size limitations other than those dictated by the exhibition space as noted on the floor plan.

EXHIBIT SPACE LAYOUT (with dimensions): Click HERE
EXHIBIT SPACE PHOTO/ Franklin St. Front Hallway: Click HERE

Artwork Pricing:

Artists may set a purchase price no greater than $2,000. The purchase price must include any and all associated costs including, but not limited to, shipping/transporting the work to the designated Erie County drop off location.

Eligibility:

The project is open to artists residing in Erie County with an additional focus and priority for artists who are racially and ethnically diverse. Erie County artists already completing a 2025 Arts in Public Places public art project are not eligible. Artists who live outside of Erie County are not eligible.

Submission Requirements

Please complete a separate application for each work. Each application must include:

  1. Two (2) quality photos of the artwork. Please ensure the photos are free from glare, and the artwork is properly illuminated. The photos should be an accurate depiction of the artwork.
  2. Description of artwork: dimensions (inches), materials, concepts, colors.
  3. Is the work ready to be installed? Description of installation requirements. (Any framed works requiring glass or acrylic must have UV filtration)
  4. Final purchase price. The purchase price must include any and all associated costs and be no greater than $2,000.
  5. Short Bio and/or Artist Resume.

*Artists may submit up to three applications (if an artist submits more than three applications, only the first three will be considered).

Submission Process

Click HERE to submit applications via the online form

Click HERE for a downloadable (PDF) Application for mail/hand delivery.

Applications may be mailed or hand-delivered* to the following address:

Erie County Dept. of Environment & Planning
c/o Monica Boutin
95 Franklin Street, 10th floor
Buffalo, NY 14202

*Please do not bring original artwork to the Rath Building, only complete applications may be submitted. Mailed or hand delivered applications must be received before the deadline, no exceptions. 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: TUESDAY July 15, 2025, 12PM NOON (Late submissions will not be accepted).

We strongly encourage applicants to apply BEFORE the deadline. If you encounter any issues submitting your application, please email publicart@erie.gov or call Erie County Dept. of Environment & Planning at (716) 858-8390 before the submission deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted. 

Please note: Artists may submit up to three Works for consideration, please submit a separate application for each Work (if an artist submits more than three applications, only the first three will be considered).

Selection Committee and Criteria

The Erie County Arts in Public Places Committee, comprised of visual arts professionals and community representatives, will review eligible submissions. The Committee will ensure that the Works align with the County’s goals of cultural representation, diversity, and public engagement.

The Committee reserves the right to select one, multiple, or no works arising from this Call for Art. Works are subject to approval by the County Executive and the County Legislature. Approved artists will work with county officials to execute purchase contracts.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Artist Background (10 pts)
  • Originality, creativity, craftsmanship, and skill of artwork (40pts)
  • Ready to install (10pts)
  • Overall quality of submission (40pts)

Project Schedule (subject to change)

June 2, 2025 Call for Art Open Date
June 23, 2025 Deadline for questions on Call for Art
June 25, 2025 Erie County releases Q&A document with answers to frequently asked questions.*
June 26, 2025 Virtual Information Session for Artists*
July 15th, 2025 at 12PM NOON Deadline for Submissions. We strongly encourage applicants to apply BEFORE the deadline. If you encounter any issues submitting your application, please email publicart@erie.gov or call Erie County Dept. of Environment & Planning at (716) 858-8390 before the submission deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
By August 1st Semi-finalists will be notified via email.
August 4 – 6 Semi-finalists drop off work for in-person review. Details and location will be provided.
By August 15th  Notification of Finalists via email.
August 20th Last day to pick up non-accepted works. Details will be provided.
August 22, 2025 Recommendations submitted to Erie County Legislature for approval.
September – October 2025 Purchase contracts finalized with artists for approved works.
Fall 2025 Exhibit Opening. 

*For Questions & Answers, visit: https://www4.erie.gov/publicart
*For link to Virtual Information Session, visit: https://www4.erie.gov/publicart

Projects are funded by Erie County. Per 2023 Erie County Local Law #4, ownership and title of all works of public art acquired by the County shall be vested in the County of Erie. 

Copyright Information:

COPYRIGHT Information included in Artist Contract: The Artist expressly reserves every right available to him / her in common law or under the Federal Copyright Act to control the making and dissemination of copies or reproductions of the Work, except as those rights are limited by the Agreement: The Artist expressly permits the County to use the Work graphically for purposes strictly for the sole use and benefit of the public. All uses of the Work shall contain a credit to the Artist-Sculptor and copyright notice substantially in the following form: "Copyright, Artist's name, year of publication," in such a manner and location as shall comply with the U.S. Copyright laws. The Artist owns the design, and the County owns the physical Work.

Acquisitions are funded by Erie County. Per 2023 Erie County Local Law #4, ownership and title of all works of art acquired by the County shall be vested in the County of Erie.

Questions and Contact Information

For questions, please contact publicart@erie.gov