Public art enhances neighborhood and community identity. It enhances the visual landscape and character of the city. It turns ordinary spaces into community landmarks and promotes community dialogue and, most importantly, it is accessible to everyone. 

Hood River, located along the Columbia River Gorge within a designated National Scenic Area, is one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier destinations for recreation, wine, food and craft beer connoisseurs, business meetings, leisure travel and special events. Hood River is an outstanding natural setting that people in most places only dream about. 

In its sixth exhibit, the Art of Community BIG ART Walking Tour consists of up to 15 Sculptures on loan from artists around the country. Artists are asked to submit applications for placement of their sculptures around the downtown Hood River area for  a period of about two (2) years. 

Throughout the year Hood River has major events that attract thousands of people. Events such as Blossom Festival, Pacific Northwest Plein Air, Hood River Hops Fest, Hood River Valley Harvest Festival, Wine and Pear Festival, Gorge Artists Open Studio Tour, and Northwest Exposure Wine Weekend to name a few. 

The potential buyers that might be viewing your art is quite significant. The Artwork will all be professionally photographed in their site and we will be designing and printing 20,000 Walking Tour Maps and distributing them throughout the Pacific Northwest to help improve your exposure to new customers. Please see our www.website art-of community.com.

Application Requirements

THE ART- WORK 

The minimum size of artwork is suggested to be 48 inches tall or larger and must be designed and fabricated for long-term outdoor durability and ease of maintenance, including strong wind. Sculptures taller than 11 feet will need to have a certified engineer stamp of approval to be considered for installation in a public setting. We have  some large spaces so works that require more than one footing or multiple works such as  triptychs will also be considered. We look forward to artistic interpretation and creativity  in this call. 

2-Dimensional Submittals Encouraged! 

BUDGET & PAYMENT SCHEDULE E 

The artists selected will be paid a stipend of $500 after receipt of the artwork and an additional $500 at time of pick up. Temporary  plaques with details of the art and the artist's links to their websites will be included with each installation. The displayed works will be regionally promoted and will also be offered for sale with Art of Community receiving a 20% commission from the sale. Pieces that are purchased by individuals or businesses and then donated back to the city will be relocated to an appropriate permanent location within the city limits. All pieces must  remain on-site through the duration of the contract. 

SELECTION PROCESS 

Responses to this “Call to Artists'' will be evaluated by a selection committee consisting of members of the Art of Community and Art Partners (sponsors). Selection criteria to be used for consideration shall include, but not be limited to the following: Artistic quality, context, compatibility with the site, appropriateness to the site, materials’ suitability and safety, possible contribution to the City’s public art collection, public safety, environmental impact, media, diversity, feasibility, and duplication. 

Submissions should include two or more digital images taken from front and back viewpoints, size and scale and installation requirements. The selection panel will select up to thirty (30) pieces, which will be submitted to the Art of Community Jury. The attached contract for artists/galleries must be completed and returned to the submission address below and constitutes the entire contract between the artist and/or gallery submitting the artwork.

ARTISTS’ RESPONSIBILITY 

The Artist certifies that the submitted work is original, available for purchase, and is  soundly and professionally constructed of durable materials, suitable for outdoor  exhibit. Furthermore, the artist is responsible for transporting, installing and removing  the sculpture to and from the exhibition site. Artwork must arrive at the site ready to be  secured to the preexisting pad with tabs, cement anchors or other approved installation  methods provided by the artist. The Artist shall bear the cost of installation and removal of the artwork. Art  of Community will be available to provide a portable generator and possibly extra  hands to help off load and set the works however the installation is the responsibility of  the artist. Art of Community will confirm art and installation conforms to our safety  standards.

Eligibility Criteria

The project is open to all artists regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability. Artist teams are eligible to apply, including teams of artists from multiple disciplines.