OPEN CALL: WEST SIDE LOTS PUBLIC ART INITIATIVE

Call Summary for CEPA Gallery West Side Lots Project

Made possible by a grant from NEA Art Works, CEPA Gallery seeks proposals from professional visual artists or artist teams to design, fabricate, and install site-specific, short-term artwork in designated areas of Buffalo’s West Side, specifically vacant parcels within the 14213 zip code. The intent for the temporary public art is to cultivate curiosity, spark imagination, and engage the community in a meaningful dialogue about art and other relevant issues, while fostering work by local, national, and international artists.

Multiple commissions will be awarded, some of which are curated through CEPA, who will be inviting a select group of artists. The remainder will be selected through this open call. The budget for artwork ranges from $2,500 to $7,500 for each open call commission.

Project Description

CEPA’s West Side Lots Project seeks to create a critical awareness of Buffalo’s West Side through temporary installations of interactive public art. With commissioned installations that are engaging, timely and relevant, the West Side Lots Project will leverage the creative potential of Buffalo’s West Side to draw attention to its diversity and determination. CEPA’s goal is to commission works that engage residents, draw audiences, encourage dialogue and foster interaction among diverse individuals and groups. It will include the active participation of important local and national artists as well as key community stakeholders to highlight and expand upon those tremendous revitalization efforts already underway in this distinct urban neighborhood.

Budget Description

A minimum amount of $2,500 and a maximum amount of $7,500 is available for each public art project. Though multiple commissions may be awarded, there is no set number of commissions. The selected artist(s) will be responsible for development of a budget to include all necessary aspects of design, fabrication and construction including design, travel expenses, possible insurance costs, installation costs, foundation or bases, and any landscaping around the piece as part of installation or de-installation.

Artwork Goals

» Expose citizens to contemporary artworks;
» Foster engagement between artist, artwork, and the community;
» Facilitate public discussion, civic dialogue, and collaborative partnering for programming;
» Promote new interest and increased participation in, and focus on, public art;

Artwork Location Description

A variety of both privately and publicly-owned lots, yet to be finalized, will be made available for projects within the 14213 zip code. Lot size may range from 1,500 up to 5,000 square feet. CEPA will make every effort to assign lots based on the specifications required by the proposed works. Artists will be responsible for any installation and removal after the artwork has been de-installed or lifespan concluded. Site-specific, short-term may be installed according to the timeline indicated by the artist(s) within the exhibition dates, and the concept should take various factors into consideration, including durability of materials, appropriateness to the site, safety, neighborhood, and stakeholder input, etc. Dates of exhibition are tentatively set to begin in mid/late July 2015 to a date TBD.

Each artist or artist team must submit for review to the selection panel:
• Letter of Interest with Conceptual Narrative of Proposal;
• Sketches, renderings, or CAD images of proposed artwork;
• Materials List;
• Approximate budget including additional outside funding resources (if any);
• Proposed completion timeframe
• 10 portfolio images and descriptions of past work (sized to 1200px max on longest dimension);
• Resume (please include your name and contact information);
• List of 3 Professional References (please include name and contact information).

It is possible that only part of the budget for a proposed project may be granted. Artists are welcome to include an alternative version of their proposed project with the full version that reflects a contingency plan and/or budget OR may include other potential sources of funding in lieu of full project sponsorship. If no alternate plan or funding is proposed it will be assumed that your project requires the fully requested amount.

Submission Process
All submissions should be saved as a single document in PDF format. Please save with ‘Reduced File Size’ to permit your application to be emailed. The total file size should not exceed 10mb. Email final proposals to david@cepagallery.org.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email upon receipt. Please refrain from inquiries once your confirmation is received. Awards will be announced in July 2015.

Selection Criteria
The selection of an artist or artist team shall be based on whose qualification best meet the requirements contained in the Project Outline.

» Artistic ability, conceptual merit, and technical expertise;
» Responsiveness to the physical and cultural context of the site;
» Ability to foster engagement and/or interaction by those encountering the work;
» Attention to safety and appropriate choice of materials.

*Murals are not being considered for this project at this time.

Timeline (Tentative Schedule)
June 15, 2015: Deadline for submission by 5:00 p.m.
June 29, 2015: Selection Panel review of submissions and recommendation of finalists
July 6, 2015: Recommended artist(s) selected
Mid-July 2015: Awarded artists announced
Late July-December 2015: Fabrication, Installation and Exhibition

Contact Information
David Mitchell
Artistic Director
CEPA Gallery
617 Main Street, Suite 201
Buffalo NY 14203
david@cepagallery.org
716-856-2717 ext 15