Project Overview

Public art can be a change agent for the community.  It creates and 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.

Located on the shore of one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, Coeur d’Alene is one of the West’s premier four‐season destinations for business meetings, leisure travel and special events.  Coeur d’Alene is proud of its extensive public art collection, including works from its “ArtCurrents” program. 

The Coeur d’Alene “ArtCurrents” program consists of sculptures on loan from artists residing in the Northwest United States and British Columbia.  Artists submit applications for placement of their sculptures in the Coeur d’Alene downtown area, Riverstone, and Atlas Waterfront Park areas for a period of one year, with an option to renew for a second year.  Applications must include photographs of the submitted work taken from the front and back viewpoints, and a short written description of each piece must be included.  From the submissions, a committee will select the pieces to be installed.  The two-year period will run from the beginning of October, 2022, through the end of September, 2024.

Throughout the year Coeur d'Alene has major events that attract thousands of locals and visitors.  With over 250,000 people attending these events and visiting Coeur d’Alene, many potential buyers will be viewing the art. 

The Artwork

The minimum size of the artwork must be 36" tall or larger, three-dimensional, stand-alone piece, and must be designed and fabricated for long-term outdoor durability and ease of maintenance, including potential vandalism.  We look forward to artistic interpretation and creativity in this call.

Budget and Payment Schedule

After the receipt of the artwork, the selected artists will be paid a stipend of $1,000.00 for the first year.  A second stipend of $1000.00 will be paid to the artists at the start of the second year.  The artist will be responsible for transporting the artwork to and from its present location and for any costs associated with the transport of the artwork.  Temporary plaques with the name of the art piece and purchase information will be included with each installation.  The displayed art pieces will also be offered for sale with the City of Coeur d’Alene receiving a 25% 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.

ArtCurrents Selection Process

Responses to this “Call to Artists” will be evaluated by a selection committee consisting of local arts professionals, local citizens, a councilmember, and other members as determined by the Arts Commission.  Selection criteria to be used for consideration shall include, but not be limited to the following: artistic quality, context, compatibility with a 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 (2) or more digital images taken from front and back viewpoints, and installation requirements. In addition, artists should submit a written statement that includes a brief explanation of and inspiration for the piece and how it fits into the Coeur d’Alene community. The selection panel will select various pieces that will be submitted to the Arts Commission and Coeur d’Alene City Council for approval.  Before the selected art work can be placed, a contract for artist/galleries must be completed and signed, which constitutes the entire contract between the artist and/or gallery submitting the artwork.

Timeline

These dates are subject to change.

July 8, 2022                 Artist submission deadline

July 21, 2022               Artists/pieces selected

July 26, 2022               Arts Commission approval of selected artists/pieces

August 16, 2022          City Council approval of artists/pieces

August 25, 2022          Artist/gallery contracts mailed

September 30, 2022    Art due

Onsite installation to be scheduled during the month of October, 2022.

Submission Requirements

Applications must be received through the CaFÉ website (www.callforentry.org) no later than 5:00 p.m. PST on July 8, 2022.  The call is entitled: “Coeur d’Alene Art Currents 2022.”

Eligibility

The project is open to all artists residing in the states of Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability, etc.  Artist teams are eligible to apply, including teams of artists from multiple disciplines.  Selection panelists and their immediate family members are not eligible for participation.

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The City of Coeur d’Alene reserves the right to change the dates of the project timeline, to modify this solicitation, to request additional information or proposals from any or all participating artists, to re-open the competition and/or to accept or reject, at any time prior to the commissioning of a work, any or all design proposals.

For more information about the Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission, visit our website at www.cdaid.org/arts.

Application Requirements

Applications must be received through the CaFÉ website (www.callforentry.org) no later than 5:00 p.m. PST on July 8, 2022.  The call is entitled: “Coeur d’Alene Art Currents 2022.”

Eligibility Criteria

The project is open to all artists residing in the states of Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability, etc.  Artist teams are eligible to apply, including teams of artists from multiple disciplines.  Selection panelists and their immediate family members are not eligible for participation.