Overview

Friends of Lakeview, a leading organization supporting the display of public art throughout Chicago’s largest community area, is currently accepting qualifications from artists and arts organizations interested in activating public spaces in West Lakeview with original works of art. Friends of Lakeview and its partner entity, Special Service Area (SSA) 27, have identified opportunities to create approximately 15 small- and large-scale murals throughout West Lakeview in 2019. A majority of these projects are planned for the Lakeview Low-Line—a one-of a kind project that re-envisions the half-mile space beneath the CTA ‘L’ tracks between Southport and Lincoln avenues as an exciting Chicago art destination and a fun and dynamic path connecting Lakeview.

This Request for Qualifications seeks information about artists practicing in any discipline, although there is a short-term need and strong preference for visual artists who can create two-dimensional murals as described above. Applicants who apply via this Request for Qualifications may be selected for a 2019 project site, or if opportunities are not identified for an artist as part of the 2019 jury process, applicants may be considered for different projects in a future year. All applications must be submitted by March 1, 2019 in order to be considered for current or future projects. Due to the volume of applications, we kindly request that you do not contact us and will notify all applicants about the status of their submissions at the conclusion of the current jury round.

About the Lakeview Public Art Program

Friends of Lakeview and its partner entity, Special Service Area (SSA) 27, are champions of public art. Guided by the 2011 Lakeview Area Master Plan, which prioritized the need for “more regular and district-wide public art," these three entities work together with local partners to fund the installation and exhibition of new works of art that meet the following goals:

• Reflect the spirit of West Lakeview and its unique subdistricts, generating buzz that instills a sense of pride in locals and entices visitors to flock to the neighborhood.

• Increase foot traffic along commercial corridors, encouraging pedestrians to explore shopping, dining and entertainment options.

• Celebrate Chicago as a cultural city and position Lakeview as a leading creative community that welcomes diverse perspectives.

For more information about the Lakeview Public Art Program, including examples of past projects, please visit www.lakeviewchamber.com/art.​

Eligibility

• All projects will take place within the boundaries of West Lakeview, which include the area bounded by Racine Avenue, Ravenswood Avenue, Diversey Parkway and Irving Park Road.

• This Request for Qualifications is open to local and international artists, although there is a strong preference for artists based in Chicago.

• Artist must be over the age of 18. Artists who are students at a college or university are eligible and welcome to apply.

• Artists who have experience executing public works of art are strongly encouraged to apply, although all complete applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed regardless of any artist’s past experience.

Review Criteria

All submissions will be evaluated based on whether they meet the following criteria:

• Context: Artist articulates how her/his artwork will work within the context of the neighborhood, embodying the goals and intent of the Lakeview Public Art Program. Artist must describe any specific requirements, such as the need for electricity or space limitations.

• Originality: Artist demonstrates an original or exemplary approach to her/his medium. Artist explains how she/he would contribute a unique perspective that is underrepresented in other works of art found in Chicago and elsewhere, reinforcing Lakeview’s status as a community that embraces diversity and inclusivity of people and ideas.

• Engagement: Artist’s work is likely to inspire an emotional reaction and appeal to a wide audience. It has the potential to attract attention to its site, encouraging pedestrians to break habits and discover different parts of the neighborhood.

• Quality: Submission is thorough and complete, illustrating how artist strives for excellence and values attention to details. Artist must have relevant experience creating public works of art, or if no such experience exists, demonstrate the ability to adapt her/his artwork for display in public places.

Review Process

Phase 1: Prequalification

All applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed for completeness. Submissions that are deemed incomplete or that clearly do not meet the criteria will be automatically removed from the selection pool. The remaining submissions will be considered prequalified and will advance to Phase 2.

Phase 2: Committee Review

All submissions that are prequalified during Phase 1 will be reviewed in March by the Lakeview Public Art Committee, consisting of approximately 15 volunteers who share diverse experience in the arts and fundraising or are acting as community representatives. Submissions that meet the criteria stated above and are determined by the committee to be the best possible fit for 2019 projects will then proceed to Phase 3, subject solely to the committee’s discretion.

Phase 3: Preparation of Site-Specific Concepts

Artists selected by the Lakeview Public Art Committee for consideration for 2019 projects will be invited to create site-specific concept drawings for one or more project sites. Artists who accept this invitation will each receive a stipend and more information about the project site(s) with which they are paired. Multiple artists may be considered for a single project site, and therefore, an artist’s invitation to proceed to Phase 3 shall not constitute her/his final selection for that site.

Phase 4: Final Selection

The Lakeview Public Art Committee will convene again in Spring 2019 to review all site-specific concepts. The committee will evaluate each concept based on a second set of site-specific criteria that will be shared with artists as part of Phase 3, and the committee will recommend a final concept for each 2019 project site. The committee’s recommendations will then be shared with the boards of one of the following partner entities, depending on where each site is located, and those entities will be responsible for making all final decisions:

• Lakeview Special Service Area (SSA) 27: An entity managed by the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce that funds enhanced services along commercial streets in West Lakeview.

• Friends of Lakeview: A 501(c)(3) non-profit affiliate of the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce that focuses primarily on making improvements along residential streets in West Lakeview.

Phase 5: Execution of 2019 Projects

All final concepts selected at the conclusion of Phase 4 will be executed beginning on or after June 1, 2019. Artists will be compensated for their time and materials, based on a fee that is reflective of the size and scope of each project site, contingent upon each artist’s agreement to the terms and conditions outlined in the Lakeview Public Art Agreement. Artists that are not selected for a 2019 project site will be notified during or following the conclusion of Phase 5 and may be considered for a future project opportunity.

About Lakeview

Lakeview is one of the most sought-after communities in the Chicago region. Just minutes north of downtown, Lakeview’s vibrant streets are home to some of Chicago’s best culture, shopping, and dining. Here you’ll find an eclectic mix of “off-Loop” theaters in the Belmont Theater District, the perfect day of shopping in the Southport Corridor, and an incredible variety of indie businesses on Lincoln Avenue. Join us spring through fall as we celebrate our community at our outdoor festivals, farmers markets, summer concerts, and other community events. Embrace the winter months as we gather in warm theaters and restaurants with friends and neighbors. Or, turn down our side streets to stroll tree-lined residential blocks with lush parkway gardens, home to many families attracted to our neighborhood’s outstanding schools. Whether you’re a local, a regular visitor, or someone discovering Lakeview for the first time, there are plenty of experiences to enjoy time and time again.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria