OVERVIEW

Tahoe Public Art's mission is to enhance the cultural landscape of the Tahoe region by providing dynamic art experiences inspired by the Lake Tahoe Basin’s natural beauty and heritage to create momentum towards local environmental preservation efforts.

With the new Tahoe Public Art Trail program, we have a lake-wide, basin-wide permit to place temporary and mobile environmental art installations at public, private, and resort locations around Lake Tahoe. Temporary installations can be exhibited for up to one year (12 months) per location; TPA has secured a dozen art sites so far in California and Nevada.

The program is designed to have a transformational effect on the greater Lake Tahoe community through art created by local, national, and international artists that collectively educate, inspire, and activate locals and visitors alike to protect and improve the extraordinary natural, recreational, and cultural resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

TPA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in CA and NV.

APPLICATION

Applicants submitting proposals for the Tahoe Public Art Trail program must fill out all of the sections and include all of the information, materials, and attachments through the CaFE™ artist application system, including:

• Artist Statement (3,000 words or less)
• Artist Resume / CV
• Project Budget
• Photo, video, or audio samples of the existing work of art you or proposing - OR -
• Conceptual renderings (photo/video/audio) for a proposed new work of art
• All of the information in the drop-down menus with details for your work of art

DEADLINES

The application deadline for the Tahoe Public Art Trail is rolling. Jurying is scheduled to take place in two rounds as follows:

March 10, 2018 - Proposal deadline for consideration in the 2018 - 2019 cycle.

June 1, 2018 - Proposal deadline for consideration in the 2019 - 2020 cycle.

The jury process is active for two weeks following each deadline. Notifications to applicants will be made by the third week after each proposal deadline noted above.

Applicants can also check the box if they would like to become a part of our TPA artist pool (if additional sites become available between the 2018 - 2020 cycles).

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must have successfully completed at least two temporary or permanent public art commissions and/or can demonstrate that they have had more than five years of professional experience creating site-specific art installations in the public domain.

Professional artists living and working the United States are eligible to apply. Professional artists who are non-US residents must be able to demonstrate ability to work in the United States or must note if you would need to apply for an O1B Artist Visa to temporarily work in the United States.

Artists must be 18 years or older to apply.

CRITERIA

Applicants can submit proposals for existing works of art or proposals for new works of art.

Each artwork must fit within the parameters of being a “temporary environmental art structure.”

“Temporary” means up to 6 months per location, with an option for an additional 6 month extension, with a total of 12 months. If a local community wishes to keep the art installation longer, we will handle it on a case by case basis, with a review after the first 6 months.

“Environmental Art Structure” - as it pertains to the Tahoe Public Art Trail - means artwork that encompasses the public’s relationship to our local environment (cultural, ecological, historical, social) in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and is installed in a way that does not have a detrimental impact on the installation site, leaving the art site and local environment unharmed.

The artwork should demonstrate the artists ability to interpret their connection with the Lake Tahoe region, and ability to find inspiration from the natural environment (ie. climate change, endangered species, forests, geology, indigenous knowledge, lake clarity, lake temperature, invasive species, plastic/waste, science/solutions, water, etc.)

Types of artwork considered:

Architectural constructions, assemblage, conceptual installations, ecological art, ephemeral displays, interactive installations, kinetic sculptures, land art, mosaics, multimedia installations, murals, new media, performance art, sculptures, stained glass, etc.  Artwork should ideally be created out of sustainably sourced materials.

SITE CONSIDERATIONS

The Lake Tahoe Basin is a rural environment, and works should be suitable for placement in a setting that is accessible to audiences in the physical public domain 24/7, usually outside and accessible to all.

Artists should consider Lake Tahoe weather, and demonstrate how their artwork can withstand extreme sun/heat, strong winds, subfreezing temperatures, snow, ice, and rain.

Sites along the Tahoe Public Art trail may include parks, squares, plazas, pedestrian paths, bike paths, main thoroughfares, public or government building properties, resort properties, and in some cases remote areas that the public is encouraged to hike, bike, or paddle out to.

INSTALLATION

Applicants must agree to track and calculate all CO2 emissions from start to finish of the installation/deinstallation process, including fabrication, transportation, travel, equipment/heavy machinery, power, etc. and provide a report so TPA can invest in clean energy offsets to ensure the installation has a zero carbon footprint.

If power is required, its recommended the proposal includes solutions for sustainable energy, such as solar, wind, tidal, etc.

If the proposed artwork requires a footing, pedestal, or other base to secure the artwork in place, the artist will be responsible for submitting structural engineering documents to demonstrate the safety of the installation as per Nevada and California state standards. If the proposed artwork is selected and assigned to a specific site, then we will work with the Artist to request a site installation plan.

The dimensions and weight of each artwork will vary, however, estimates must be included with the proposal.

In terms of the installation timeline, artists should make note of the earliest date of completion of their artwork (if it’s not an existing work of art) or if it is an existing work of art currently displayed somewhere else when it would become available to install on the Tahoe Public Art Trail. Also, make note if this is a seasonal or year-round installation piece, and what the proposed duration would be.

BUDGET

Proposals should include an estimated project budget with clear line items breaking down costs and where applicable a payment schedule. Scheduling and budgets for each installation will vary and will be finalized (upon selection) when working with TPA’s staff.

For existing works of art: TPA will cover expenses including: a monthly artist fee (for the proposed period of time the artwork is exhibited) transportation/shipping, travel, accommodation, installation, deinstallation, insurance, publicity/promotion, signage, opening reception, and maintenance.

For new works of art: TPA will cover expenses including: an artist commission fee, materials, fabrication, transportation/shipping, travel, accommodations, installation, deinstallation, insurance, publicity/promotion, signage, opening reception, and maintenance.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

All proposals will be reviewed by the jury comprised of the Tahoe Public Art’s “Art Selection Advisory Council” and members of the Board of Directors. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Artist capabilities (based on previous professional experience and art installations)
• Aesthetic and technical quality of the proposed artwork
• Relevance and Impact to the Lake Tahoe Basin
• Connection to the greater Lake Tahoe community (how it activates public space and engages audiences - locals and visitors alike)
• Size/scale of the artwork (installation and maintenance)
• Structural integrity (installation and maintenance)
• Budget and timeline feasibility
• Environmental sustainability

ABOUT TAHOE PUBLIC ART

Tahoe Public Art (TPA) enhances the cultural landscape of the Tahoe region by providing dynamic art experiences inspired by the Lake Tahoe Basin's natural beauty and heritage to create momentum towards local environmental preservation efforts. In 2016, TPA became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in CA and NV.

ABOUT LAKE TAHOE

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake located in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. Lying at an elevation of 6,225 ft (1,897 m), it straddles the state line between California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, and its depth is 1,645 ft (501 m), making it the second deepest lake in the United States.

The lake was formed about 2 million years ago as part of the Lake Tahoe Basin, with the modern extent being shaped during the ice ages. It is known for the clarity of its water and the panorama of surrounding mountains on all sides; more than 75% of the lake's watershed is national forest land. Lake Tahoe is fed by 63 tributaries, and the Truckee River is the lake's only outlet. Lake Tahoe has a dry-summer continental climate classification featuring warm, dry summers and chilly winters with regular snowfall.

Lake Tahoe is a major tourist attraction in both Nevada and California, attracting more than 3 million visitors per year. It is home to winter sports, summer outdoor recreation, and scenery enjoyed throughout the year. Snow and ski resorts are a significant part of the area's economy and reputation, which is now threatened by the impacts of climate change. The Washoe People (WA SHE SHU) are the original inhabitants of the Great basin culture area, speaking a distinct branch of the Hokan language group.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria