Call Description

Kherson Park (307 West Gowe Street) includes a Lunar Rover replica, a life-sized astronaut, Lunar Lander and Mission Control play elements, and a large wall with projection capabilities. The Arts Commission provides artistic content for the projection component by showcasing artwork from digital/video media artists.

One large screen (approximately 30’ x 20’) located on the side of a building facing south toward Gowe Street is visible to the public from Kent-Kherson Park, as well as the sidewalks and streets at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Gowe Street. 

Works are displayed in rotation during presentation hours, generally dusk to 11 p.m. daily.

Each selected artist will receive a $500 honorarium to help defray related expenses. Artists’ name(s) and artwork title(s) will be posted on the screen before and after the work(s) play.

Up to five artists will be selected to present from one to three artworks based on completed or proposed media work, for a period of one year. Artworks should be five minutes or less in length. Artworks may include sound, but it is not required.

Selected artists will work with Arts Commission staff to adapt selected work for optimal presentation. (Playback will be done through a digital video player at 1920x1080, so final videos should be compressed, optimally with an H264 Codec wrapped in either MP4 or MOV depending on preference, with a file size cap of 1gb.) The Kent-Kherson projector utilizes software that will rotate artworks by all selected artists on a loop during presentation hours.

Evaluation/Selection Process

A selection panel including representatives from the Kent Arts Commission, professional artist(s), a City councilmember, and community representative(s) will review the submitted proposals.

Applicants will be notified by email about selection of artwork. Selected artists will engage in a contract for services with the City of Kent. The honoraria payment will be made upon receipt of final files, as well as information for promotional purposes.

Application Requirements

To Apply

All Artists are required to submit their materials in the format specified below by September 26, 2025, 10:59 p.m. (PDT) Qualification materials include:

1. Artist’s Statement

2. Current resume or CV (PDF)

3. Upload a file or link to video online.

File upload:

File Type: MOV, MP4, WMV, 3GP, AVI, ASF, MPG, M2T, MKV, M2TS.

File Size: under 100 MB.

Resolution: minimum 640 x 480, maximum 1920 x 1080

Aspect Ratio: 4:3 or 16:9

Bit Rate: recommended above 240 kbps

Frame rate: minimum 12 fps, recommended 30 fps

Link to video online: If your video is publicly available online, you can enter the URL to embed the video in your portfolio. Supported URLs: YouTube, Vimeo. Note: Ensure the linked video is set to be shared publicly. Your video will not play if it is set to private.4. Artwork details as outlined in CaFE upload process, including title, media, dimensions, date)

* Only qualifications submitted through CaFE will be reviewed.

Applicants are responsible for all costs incurred in preparing or responding to this request for qualifications. All materials and documents submitted become the property of the City and will not be returned.

Qualifications will not be accepted after the September 26, 2025, 10:59 p.m. (PDT) deadline.

Eligibility Criteria

This opportunity is open to artists residing in the United States, age 18 and older.