CaFE question: Description Introduction The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities invites artists to submit images of two-dimensional or three-dimensional artwork depicting weather related or atmospheric phenomena for a competitive direct purchase for SPU’s Portable Works Collection. Artwork should reference air, water, temperature or light and may or may not be representational. Artists working in color are encouraged to apply. The artwork must be available for purchase. Purchases are chosen by a panel of arts professionals who are charged with selecting high quality artwork that reflects diversity of expression. The call is open to professional artists residing in Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, Montana, Idaho or Alaska. Applications close 11 p.m., Jan. 28, 2013, Pacific Standard Time). Background Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) provides a reliable water supply to more than 1.3 million customers in King County and provides essential sewer, drainage and solid waste services to city of Seattle customers. The SPU Portable Works Collection is exhibited throughout the utilities’ offices, engaging both employees and the public by helping to create an interesting and diverse work environment. The purchase is made possible with SPU 1% for Art funds. Eligibility This competition is open to professional artists residing in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, Montana, Idaho or Alaska). The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs encourages diversity in its collection. Artists whose work is well represented in the city’s collection are eligible to apply, but the selection panel will consider artistic diversity as one factor in the selection process. Students are not eligible to apply. Scope of Work All types of media will be considered for purchase. Maximum artwork measurement for two-dimensional work is 48 x 48 x 5 inches. Artwork not conforming to these dimensions may be disqualified. Sculpture and/or three-dimensional objects should be no larger than 24 x 24 x 16 inches in size and under 50 pounds in weight. The artwork will enter a rotating portable works collection and objects may need to be moved by one person. Artists may submit up to 10 images of available work. Multiple artworks by an individual artist may be purchased. Artists from outside the Seattle area must include shipping costs for each artwork (as a separate line item) on the image description form. Budget A total of $125,000 for all artworks is available for this direct purchase. Application Deadline 11 p.m., Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 (Pacific Standard Time). Please allow ample time to complete your application; applications submitted after the 11 p.m. deadline will not be accepted. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Up to 10 images of available work: CaFE requires applicants to submit 10 images into CaFE. If you have less than 10 images to submit, you must insert a blank image as a placeholder. Please contact Sandy Esene at sandy.esene@seattle.govto receive a blank placeholder. Do not submit images of artworks that are not available for direct purchase. If any submitted artwork no longer becomes available please contact Deborah Paine, curator and collections manager, at (206) 684-7132 or deborah.paine@seattle.gov.
• Image descriptions (not to exceed 1,000 characters): Please describe your work samples by including title, year made, medium, dimensions and price. Artists from outside the Seattle area must include shipping costs for each artwork (as a separate line item) on the image description form.
• Artist’s Statement (not to exceed 2,000 characters): Please write a brief description of your artistic intent.
• Résumé

Selection Criteria Artwork will be selected on the basis of the following criteria: artistic merit, appropriateness for the public setting and the existing collection, artistic diversity of the collection, and completeness of application. The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs is committed to reflecting the diversity and cultural richness of our city in the selection of artists and artworks. Selection Process A panel of three arts professionals will select works for purchase directly from digital submissions. Diversity within the collection is highly encouraged. However, artworks that contain graphic depictions of violence, sexually explicit imagery and/or nudity are extremely difficult to display. Notification of Results All notification regarding application status will be provided via the CaFE system. Artists who apply will be notified of the selection panel’s decisions by mid-March 2013. The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs reserves the right not to select any of the applicants. We’re Here to Help! Please contact Deborah Paine, deborah.paine@seattle.gov or (206) 684.7132 with any questions. For assistance with the CaFE online application process, contact CaFE tech support at (888) 562-7232 or cafe@westaf.org, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria