Exhibition Overview.

The City of Blue Springs, Missouri established the Blue Springs Public Art Commission (PAC) in 2000 in order to enhance the artistic vitality of Blue Springs and to create a culturally rich community for citizens to live, work and shop.

This is our fourteenth year of offering a temporary exhibition of art, which will be entitled ““Seasons”.  This “Call to Artists” is seeking Artists wishing to be considered by the Selection Panel for an exhibit placed for one year, from April 1, 2024 to March 1, 2025. Four artists will be selected to provide a work of art for exterior display.  The four artworks will be placed along a major thoroughfare with sidewalk access to the sculptures. The “Call to Artists” is open to all professional artists over the age of eighteen. Emerging and professional artists are also encouraged to apply.  In the past, one or more artworks have been purchased from each exhibition to remain in our City as permanent art.

For this exhibit we will be sponsored by the Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Department whose mission involves “creating outstanding recreational, cultural and natural experiences to enrich and enhance the quality of life for our community today and for future generations.”  In addition to the 13 parks throughout the community, the Department is widely acclaimed for its 35 miles of bike/walking trails spread throughout seven parks and three roadways in Blue Springs, encouraging positive lifestyle recreation for citizens and families.   We will also be sponsored by the Blue Springs Art League whose mission is “to foster greater interest in the visual arts among the residents of the community”.  The Art League supports placing art in public places in addition to holding an annual fine arts show.

Display of artworks within the heart of the community helps fulfill the purposes of these organizations and PAC.  By placing four sculptures along a portion of a popular bike/walking trail, citizens will be able to participate in the cultural experience that public art provides.

Due Date for Application: All applications should be submitted through Café not later than Monday, October 15, 2023 by Midnight Mountain Daylight Time

Theme:  Any proposed artwork should relate to the artist’s conception of the exhibit theme of “Seasons”.

A season is a period of the year that is distinguished by special climate conditions. Each season of the year is characterized by a particular climatic feature a particular activity, event, festivity or holiday.

Seasons concepts may be; spring; new beginnings, summer; the time of growth, fall; a time of change and maturity, winter; a time of passing or rest.

Site:  The exhibition will be in the southeastern corridor of Blue Springs, located along Adams Dairy Parkway near the intersection with Moreland School Road.  This area is being newly developed and includes several subdivisions that are near the Blue Springs South High School. The four selected artworks will be placed along the walking trail on the west side of the Parkway.  For photos of possible art sites, go to: https://www.bluespringsgov.com/2142/Site-Photos-for-Call-To-Artist---Seasons

Media:  Media can include, but are not limited to, bronze, stone, wood, metal, ceramic, mosaic or other materials suitable for exterior display.  Kinetic, solar, neon or interactive art is encouraged. Artworks should be appropriate in size and height to site, and can be easily seen while walking, biking, or driving by.

Compensation:  Each Artist will receive an honorarium of $2,500 for the 11-month exhibition.  Artists may offer their work for sale but PAC reserves the right of first refusal for any artwork purchase from the exhibit. If PAC chooses to purchase an artwork for permanent exhibit, the $2,500 will be credited toward the purchase price.  PAC will encourage the offer of sale to others if it does not choose to retain the art.

Installation: Artists are responsible for transporting and installing artworks for the exhibition and will be responsible for removing the artwork after the exhibition if not purchased. PAC will be responsible for site preparation and on-site equipment needed for installation.  Artwork should be durable and require no maintenance during the 11-month exhibition period.  In western Missouri, heavy rains, high heat and humidity, high winds, and seasonal snow or freezing precipitation may occur, so consideration should be given to resistance to the effects of weather.

Installation and Exhibition Dates:  Installation of artwork will be between March 26 and March 29, 2024 as arranged between the Artist and PAC.  Exhibition will be from April 1, 2024 to March 2, 2025.

Promotion:  Each Artist will be interviewed and videotaped during installation for use by PAC in promotion of the “Seasons” exhibit.  Artists will receive brochures and access to all media about the artists and artworks of the display.   Artworks will be promoted in local and regional publications and will be part of the City of Blue Springs website with photographs and a map of the location of each artwork. Artists will be invited to attend a dedication event for the exhibit during June, 2024. 

Selection Process:  An Artist Selection Panel composed of artists, art administrators and community residents will review all submissions meeting the application requirements and deadline in order to select the top candidates.  The Selection Panel will interview candidates via phone to discuss their proposed artwork.  An illustration of the proposed piece or photograph of a pre-existing artwork must be provided prior to the phone interview. Artworks that are offensive or politically motivated or those which do not meet community standards of decency will not be approved, Artworks must satisfactorily address public safety and liability issues and assure structural integrity. Resistance to vandalism will also be important. The four selected artists must enter into a contractual agreement with the City of Blue Springs. The artist may request a specific site for an artwork but the final decision will be made by the PAC.

Application Requirements:  Interested artists should submit the following to be considered:

• Letter of interest. Please explain why you want to be considered for this exhibit. Indicate the specific artwork you wish to display or describe the sculpture you intend to create for display.  Suggest your interpretation of how your art would fit the theme of the exhibit.
• Current Resume. Include information and details about educational background, previous work, gallery showings, and past experience in public art exhibits.
• Digital Images. A minimum of four and a maximum of six jpg images representative of your body of work are required.  Also include with images (1) title of work (2) dimensions of the work (3) materials used (4) sale price for each artwork.  One additional video file is optional.
• CAFÉ. Any questions regarding file preparation should be directed to the homepage of CAFÉ which is https://www.callforentry.org.

Project Timeline:

Questions:  Contact CAFÉ administrator about the “Seasons” exhibit or email Justin Stuart at jstuart@bluespringsgov.com or phone 816-228-0137

Application Requirements

Application Requirements:  Interested artists should submit the following to be considered:

• Letter of interest. Please explain why you want to be considered for this exhibit. Indicate the specific artwork you wish to display or describe the sculpture you intend to create for display.  Suggest your interpretation of how your art would fit the theme of the exhibit.
• Current Resume. Include information and details about educational background, previous work, gallery showings, and past experience in public art exhibits.
• Digital Images. A minimum of four and a maximum of six jpg images representative of your body of work are required.  Also include with images (1) title of work (2) dimensions of the work (3) materials used (4) sale price for each artwork.  One additional video file is optional.
• CAFÉ. Any questions regarding file preparation should be directed to the homepage of CAFÉ which is https://www.callforentry.org.

Eligibility Criteria

N/A