We are still here. Water is life and moves us through time, memory and our interconnected story. Our past has shaped the now and we are still here.

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) are seeking an artist/artist team to create a permanent artwork that honors the history and current experience of the Black, African American community in the Central Area (Central District) through the idea that water connects us to history, place, and our freedom. The artist/artist team will work with ARTS, SPU, SDOT, and the community engagement team to develop a design for a two-dimensional artwork that will be reproduced by ARTS from high quality digital files into permanent, durable materials.

INTRODUCTION
SPU and SDOT are improving the 23rd Avenue S corridor with new drinking water infrastructure and streetscape improvements. This project replaces a 100-year-old water main that runs underneath 23rd Avenue from E. John St. to S. Norman St. to improve drinking water service levels and the streetscape, and safety and mobility for people who drive, walk, bike, and use transit in the area. Streetscape improvements include modifying 23rd Avenue from a four-lane street to a three-lane street, replacing the pavement, and widening and repairing sidewalks.

More information about the 23rd Avenue Improvement project can be found here.

BACKGROUND
The Central Area in Seattle was a predominately Black, African American neighborhood until recently due to historic red-lining and other forms of housing segregation. Since the 1990s the Central Area has seen widespread displacement and gentrification that has reduced the neighborhood’s black population from 70% down to 20%. The Central Area is still a place that is a centralizing beacon for the Black community. Art, music, food, and history are all things that keep the Central Area a vibrant neighborhood for Black community and culture. ARTS and SPU partnered together to engage residents who have roots in the neighborhood to see how art can weave the fabric of a community together.

ARTS and SPU have worked with the community engagement team of Jill Freidberg (Shelf Life Community Stories), Rachel Kessler (Yesler Terrace Artist in Residence), and Inye Wokoma (Central Area photographer, journalist, and filmmaker) on a series of community engagement activities that asked people who have roots and or relationships to the Central Area what they want to see in an artwork and how clean drinking water affects their lives. View photographs from the community engagement process so far here.

Below you will find words that compile and distill the feedback from the community. These themes and ideas are meant to be an entry point for the artist/artist team.

Suggested themes include:  life, purity, movement, blood, restoration, reflection, power, freedom, connection, collective, future, peace, fluidity, tributaries, and constellations.

The artwork should not feel like a memorial but rather an artwork that connects us from the past to the future.

SCOPE OF WORK
The artist/artist team will work with ARTS, SPU, SDOT, and the community engagement team to develop an artwork that will be sited on the retaining wall located at 23rd Avenue S and S Massachusetts Street. The artwork can be based in painting, printmaking, photography, collage, or any other 2D artistic media.

The design will reflect the community engagement that has taken place so far and future input from the Central Area community. The artist will design an artwork that honors the history and current experience of the Black, African American community in the Central Area through the idea that water connects us to history, place, and our freedom.

The artist/artist team will submit high quality digital files of the artwork to ARTS. ARTS will then hire a fabricator to reproduce the artwork into permanent, durable materials. The artist/artist team will work with ARTS and the contracted fabricator to determine what materials the artwork should be translated into. ARTS will also manage the installation of the artwork. The artist/artist team will also be on site to consult with ARTS and the installation team.

ELIGIBILITY
This call is open to professional artists living in the United States. Artists who apply for this call must explain their connection to Seattle’s Central Area neighborhood.

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture encourages diversity in its collection. Artists whose work is well represented in the city’s collection are eligible to apply, but the artist selection panel will consider artistic diversity as one factor in the selection process. Students are not eligible to apply.

BUDGET
The selected artist/artist team will receive a commission of $20,000 to design an artwork and to work with ARTS who will manage and implement the fabrication and installation of the artwork with oversight from the artist.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
10:59 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time), Wednesday, December 12, 2018. Please allow ample time to complete your application; applications submitted after the 10:59 p.m. deadline will not be accepted.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Letter of Interest (not to exceed 2,000 characters) describing your interest in this unique opportunity, and addressing your connection to the Central Area and how you would honor the history, culture, and future of the Central Area.

OR

• Video/Audio Statement (not to exceed 1.5-minutes in length) describing your interest in this unique opportunity, and addressing your connection to the Central Area and how you would honor the history, culture, and future of the Central Area.

Please note that this should not be a highly produced/edited video, a short recording that speaks directly to your interest in this project will suffice. The intent of this option is to provide an opportunity for individuals who feel they can represent themselves better verbally versus in writing through the letter of interest (for example for applicants for whom English is a second language and/or other considerations). Guidelines and resources to assist with the creation of a video/audio file can be downloaded here.

• Bio (not to exceed 2,000 characters)
• Three References
• 8 to 16 Work Sample Images
• Work Sample Description List (not to exceed 500 characters for each image). Explain clearly. If you completed a project as a team member, the image identification should indicate your role for each image submitted. Do not omit the Image Identification List or your application will be incomplete.

SELECTION CRITERIA
The artist will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

• Quality of concept, design, and craftsmanship of past works
• Visual and technical sophistication
• Creativity of approach
• Relevance of Letter of Interest or Video/Audio Statement and connection to Central Area community
• A proven ability to listen to and work with community
• Experience with previous art projects

The Office of Arts & Culture is committed to reflecting the diversity and cultural richness of our city in the selection of artists and artworks.

SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process will take place in two parts. During the first round, a panel of arts professionals, client representatives, and community members will review the applicants’ images, qualifications, and other materials. The panelists will identify up to four finalists to interview at a second panel meeting two to three weeks later. The panel will select one artist/artist team to be awarded the commission.

NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision by email by early February 2019. The Office of Arts & Culture reserves the right not to select any of the applicants.

WE'RE HERE TO HELP
Please contact Elisheba Johnson at 206.684.0182 or elisheba.johnson@seattle.gov
Office Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Talk with the Program Staff.  Discuss questions or concerns. Get Started NOW! It is fine to call before you have the application written. The earlier you contact the project manager the better. Do not wait until the Deadline Day!

GETTING HELP WITH YOUR APPLICATION

• Watch our best tips video:  https://youtu.be/TpOgV9HhPcM
• Technical Assistance with CaFÉ? Contact CaFÉ at 888.562.7232 or cafe@westaf.org, Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
• Attend an Application Workshop (optional)

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria