Call Detail
City of Plano Portal Project
Visit Organization Website
Contact Email: michelleb@plano.gov

Entry Deadline: 5/9/16
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum:Min. 10, Maximum:Max. 20
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 10, Maximum:Max. 20
Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: National
State: Texas

Selected Artist compensation: $300,000 includes design, implementation and install

The City of Plano has seven designated locations on 15th Street between US75/Central Expressway and G Avenue as you approach the historic Downtown Plano Arts District. Six of the locations are lining the newly renovated north and south sides of 15th Street, and there is one larger area in the landscaped median at 15th Street and the Frontage Road. Each location has power available. The City of Plano is seeking original artwork at these locations to declare the entrance of the arts district. Consideration should be given to traffic sightlines and pedestrians. 

The Downtown Plano Arts District
From its founding in the 1870s through the mid-20th Century, Downtown Plano was the heart of this small farming community. Plano citizens and surrounding Collin County residents came Downtown to access the cities of Dallas or Sherman by rail, to shop for household goods, and for access to critical services at the local hospital, school, and governmental offices. It has been noted that the reason for Plano’s growth was that it was a major mule exchange for regional farmers.

Arts in Downtown Plano: The arts began emerging in downtown Plano in 2001 with the opening of the Courtyard Theater and not too long after, the Cox Playhouse opened as well. In 2006, the Douglass Community Mural was completed and dedicated. Other cultural assets in the area include the Interurban Railway Museum, the Grand Stand and the Through the Park sculpture in Haggard Park.

During the last 15 years, more than ten restaurants have opened in the beautiful historic stores providing food, beverages and entertainment. Several galleries are in downtown and artist studios are located in adjacent neighborhoods with more expected in the next few years. In 2015, the area was recognized as one of the Great Neighborhoods in America by the American Planning Association and City Council approved the area pursuing the arts district designation. In 2016, we look forward to adding McCall Plaza, an outdoor concert venue, and the Saigling House, a renovated historic home that will be managed by the Art Centre of Plano as an additional event space. 

Submission Requirements:
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH CALLFORENTRY.ORG
Artists are asked to submit 10-20 images of previous works along with the locations, references, and a description of each project. Images must be submitted in 72 ppi/dpi resolution, no smaller than 1920 pixels on the longest side, in a .jpeg file format only.
In addition:
o    Please submit an Artist Statement, which includes your philosophy towards your art (3,000 words max)
o    A bio no longer than 900 words
o    Resume 

Selection:
City of Plano has selected a board comprised of residents of the area, downtown Plano merchants, and representatives of the arts community and city staff to review the submissions. Artists will be evaluated on creativity and the style that is the best fit for the Downtown Plano Arts District. Upon the first evaluations of submissions, several artists will be asked to provide their vision for the specific project, taking into consideration the automobile and foot traffic along 15th Street and durability to withstand the outdoor elements.   

The second evaluations will narrow down the selected artists to three and will be presented to the City Council for the final selection. 

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria