HUNTSVILLE – Arts Huntsville is offering every artist’s dream – opportunities to have their work on public display at prominent places throughout the city, including the new City Hall.
And artists are invited to apply for two program proposals for projects in the community.
The first is a call for artist proposals for the 2022-2023 Artist-Initiated Public Art program.
Invitations are extended to artists and artist teams within a 35-mile radius of Huntsville, in partnership with sites within the city. The Public Art Program is made possible by funding from the National Endowment for the Arts’ American Rescue Plan and the City of Huntsville.
The second is for Phase II of the public art plan for the new City Hall.
The City Hall public art plan was developed in accordance with the Huntsville Public Art Master Plan, under the guidance of the Huntsville Public Art Committee and Arts Huntsville. Both are contracted by the City of Huntsville.
“This is an exciting opportunity for local artists and one which the community originally identified in Huntsville’s Public Art Master Plan,” said Allison Dillon-Jauken, executive director of Arts Huntsville. “While most public art projects define specific parameters and a site location for artists, this program allows artists the freedom to work in partnership with a community group, neighborhood association or property owner to enliven different areas of the city through public art.”
Local artists’ works will be featured at four locations inside the new City Hall: the first-floor entrance; a pre-function area; a corridor on the sixth-floor hosting Huntsville City Council offices; and a conference room on the seventh floor hosting the mayor’s office.
The public artwork budgets for the four galleries range from $30,000 to $60,000 and are intended to inspire a sense of reflection, community and/or civic engagement.
Currently under construction, the new City Hall complex should be complete sometime in 2024.
“While City Hall serves extremely important functional purposes for our community as the seat of municipal government, it also serves an important symbolical role,” said John Hamilton, Huntsville city administrator. “It provides a gathering spot and outward facing representation of our great city – adding interest and beauty contributed by our local artist community furthers the iconic nature of this important public infrastructure.”
Up to 14 semi-finalist artists or artistic teams will receive $1,500 honorariums to create and present a design proposal for City Hall. Of those, four finalists will be selected in December 2022. All Huntsville City Hall public art awards will be announced in early 2023.
The Public Art Program is an “ideas competition” that encourages local artists to find ways to bring their artistic practice into the public space. In addition to the financial award, Arts Huntsville will provide professional and technical support and work with the artists and their site partners to promote their programs or projects.
If you know of a public place in Huntsville that would get a boost from having local artwork on display that reflects the values of that neighborhood or establishment; or if you have an accessible, eligible space that might be enhanced by public art, the Huntsville Public Art Committee is awarding up to $15,000 in grants to up to 10 artist-initiated public art projects and/or programs this summer.
“While these proposals must be artist initiated, we’re here to help connect artists with potential sites,” explained Arts Huntsville Public Art Program Manager Jennifer Johnson. “Sites must be located within Huntsville city limits and cannot be historically protected to be eligible.
“We welcome hearing from potential sites receptive to public art and will work to connect artists with interested site partners,” she added.
Artist applications can be found here. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through Oct. 10 or until all the funds are awarded, whichever comes first.
Download the proposal writing workbook here, and a video providing additional guidance can be viewed on the Arts Huntsville YouTube channel.
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