Eligibility

Professional artist or artist team residing in the United States with public art project experience that matches the scope of the project and who has successfully managed and completed at least one publicly-funded commission on schedule and on budget.

Introduction

The Tim C. Crummett Family Charitable Fund was established in 1991 for beautification projects in North Kansas City.   The Tim C. Crummett Family Charitable Fund Projects Committee was established to identify beautification projects that enhance the quality of life and create a culturally rich community for people to live, work and play.

Call Overview

This “Call to Artists” is seeking Artists wishing to be considered by the Committee for a commissioned unique and site-specific sculpture(s).  This will also be a long-term attraction to entice residents, visitors and celebrate the City's history and heritage.  The Tim C. Crummett Family Charitable Fund Projects Committee will direct all activities in the selection process.

Theme/Concepts to Consider

• Rich History of North Kanas City
  • Missouri River
  • Industrial History
  • Urban Neighborhoods
• North Kansas City High School’s mascot – Hornet
• North Kansas City’s Vision:  The vision for North Kansas City is to support existing places and create unique and sustainable activity centers, with an enhanced character that can be branded to grow economic development and support the community.

 Resources

• North Kansas City History (see below)
• North Kansas City Master Plan
• North Kansas City High School website

Media

Materials and designs need to be durable enough to last through potentially severe and hazardous weather, including high winds, and withstand harsh conditions over a long course of time without extensive maintenance.  Artwork(s) should be constructed to reasonably discourage theft and vandalism and must take into consideration the ground surrounding the piece.  Approval of artwork will be contingent on satisfactorily addressing liability issues and assuring structural integrity.  Artwork(s) should be appropriate in size and height to site.  Please include plans for nighttime lighting.

Site

The exhibition will be located in Richards Park, located near the heart of North Kansas City across the street from the North Kansas City YMCA.   The site is located across the street from Dagg Park, a very popular sprayground/playground, and is close to North Kansas City High School.   Richards Park features a large, 25’ 6” square brick wall on which the sculpture(s) can be located, but the park could host axillary pieces in the surrounding green space.  The brick wall could be removed if necessary.  Artists can visit www.nkc.com for information about the City and its recreational and cultural opportunities.  Attached to this call are photos and maps of Richards Park and North Kansas City.

Compensation

The juror panel selected artist/s will receive an honorarium of up to $75,000 for the commissioned piece(s). This shall include all costs including: optional site visits by the artist, design, materials, fabrication, engineering costs, transportation of sculpture to the installation site, and artist-related installation materials. Artists will be paid one-half of the compensation upon awarding of the commission and the remaining amount as arranged by contract. The City of North Kansas City will assist with site preparation, in-ground piers or the like, scheduling and installation assistance as may be needed including lifting equipment.  The City will also provide the landscaping and lighting for the artwork(s).

Installation 

Artists are responsible for transporting and installing the artwork.  Most installation costs regarding site preparation and some on-site equipment may be provided by the City of North Kansas City.  

Selection Process 

An Artist Selection Panel composed of artists, administrators, and community residents will review all submissions meeting the application requirements and deadline. Finalists will be interviewed by phone by the Tim C. Crummett Family Charitable Fund Projects Committee to discuss their proposed artwork.  An illustration of the proposed piece or photograph of a pre-existing artwork must be provided for approval by the committee. Artworks that are offensive or those which do not meet community standards of decency will not be approved. Selected artists must enter into a contractual agreement approved by the City of North Kansas City. 

Application Requirements 

Interested artists should submit the following to be considered:

• Letter of interest. Please explain why you want to be considered for this exhibit.  Suggest your interpretation of how your art would fit the North Kansas City community.
• Current Resume. Include information and details about educational background, previous work, gallery showings, and past experience in public art exhibits.
• Digital Images. A minimum of four and a maximum of six jpeg images representative of your body of work are required.  Also include with images: (1) title of work (2) dimensions of the work (3) materials used.  One additional video file is optional.
• Rendering of Sculpture(s).  A rendering of proposed unique and site-specific sculpture(s).  This can be a hand drawing, computer rendering or a photo of a scale model.
• CAFÉ. Any questions regarding file preparation should be directed to the homepage of CAFÉ which is https://www.callforentry.org. 

North Kansas City History

 In 1883, Willard E. Winner came to the area with visionary plans of building a city and bridge.  He built a rock road that became Swift Avenue, started constructing a bridge across the Missouri River, purchased land, and laid out subdivisions in town lots.   North Kansas City was well planned and built with homes, commercial houses, paved and lighted streets, a waterworks system and parks in advance of residents calling it home.

 In 1891, a post office called North Kansas City was established, hence the name North Kansas City.  Large-scale development of the area was not possible before the construction of levees protecting North Kansas City from flooding from the Missouri River. The levee on the north bank of the Missouri River was constructed between 1909 and 1912 and is owned and maintained by the North Kansas City Levee District. The City is also protected by a hillside levee.

The City was incorporated on November 4, 1912. A five-member board of trustees was elected in 1914 to oversee municipal affairs. One of the original trustees was William E. Macken, who was elected as the first mayor of North Kansas City in 1924. The city's largest park, Macken Park, is named for him.

In 2012, North Kansas City celebrated its Centennial with a citywide celebration.  Today, North Kansas City is a thriving, progressive community where residents, industry, commerce, and government work together for the common good.

Population

North Kansas City’s resident population is approximately 4,300, but due to the robust business community, the daytime population boasts more than 25,000.  North Kansas City is a bustling center of commerce with just the right touch of small-town warmth.

Economic Base

North Kansas City is home for nearly one thousand companies engaged in manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, wholesale and retail trade, and business and personal services. This strong and stable economic base keeps taxes low and municipal services high in quantity and quality.

Major businesses include: Cerner Corporation’s world headquarters, North Kansas City Hospital, Harrah’s Casino & Hotel, BNSF Railway Company, Ingredion, and Helzberg Diamond’s corporate headquarters.

Residential Areas

From the shaded elegance of well-established mature neighborhoods to the crisp, clean lines of contemporary design, you can find what you like in North Kansas City.  If a modern apartment, townhouse or duplex is more your style, those too are readily available. 

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria