Project Overview

Public art is a distinguishing part of our public history and our culture. It creates and enhances neighborhood and community identity. It adds to the visual landscape and character of the city.  It turns ordinary spaces into community landmarks, promotes diverse dialogue and, most importantly, is accessible to everyone. ArtCurrents is looking for creative artists who capture the spirit and atmosphere of the environment in which we live. Pieces are encouraged which center on themes or interpretations of the Northwest in any form. These artworks may be in any medium that will withstand the elements year-round and can be abstract or realistic. ArtCurrents provides high visibility outdoor gallery space for each piece chosen throughout high traffic streets, parks, and public spaces in town. These pieces enrich the beauty of our city landscape while providing exposure to the artist with the intent of selling the piece. 

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, with the intention to sell, from artists residing in the Northwest US and British Columbia.  Artists submit applications for placement of their sculptures in the Coeur d’Alene downtown, Riverstone, and Atlas Waterfront Park areas for a period of one year, with the option to renew for an additional year.  Applications must include photographs of the submitted work taken from the front and back viewpoints and provide a short-written description of each piece.  From the submissions, a committee will select the pieces to be installed.  The first-year period will run from the beginning of October 2024, through the end of September 2025 with a second-year option running from October 2025 through the end of September 2026.

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

The Artwork

The Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission is encouraging artists to submit pieces that center on themes or interpretations of the Northwest in any form for the 2024-2026 term, with the added intention of appealing to the community. ArtCurrents provides high visibility outdoor gallery space for each piece chosen throughout high traffic streets, parks, and public spaces in town. These pieces enrich the beauty of our city landscape while providing exposure to the artist with the intent of selling the piece. The minimum size of the artwork must be 36” tall or larger, a 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 $1,000.00 will be paid to the artists at the start of the second year, should the piece be retained for the collection.  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 be offered for sale with the City of Coeur d’Alene receiving a 25% commission from the sale. In order to appeal to a wide range of buyers, art pieces should be valued at a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $25,000.

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, appeal, media, diversity, feasibility, and duplication.

Submissions should include two 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 1, 2024                 Artist submission deadline

July 8, 2024                 Artists/pieces selected

July 23, 2024               Arts Commission approval of selected artists/ pieces

August 13, 2024          City Council approval of artists/pieces

August 26, 2024          Artist/gallery contracts mailed

September 30, 2024    Art due

Onsite installation to be scheduled during the month of October 2024

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.

Application Requirements

The minimum size of the artwork must be 36” tall or larger, a 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.

Submissions should include two (2) or more digital images taken from front and back viewpoints and the 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 artwork 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.

Eligibility Criteria

The project is open to all artists residing in the states of Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon 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.