Potential public art sites nominated by community members are incorporated through the DC Creates Public Art Community Initiatives. With the support of other neighbors and key stakeholders to the site small to large scale public art projects are placed addressing the interests of the community. Commemorating notable citizens and local history creates a stronger identity for the neighborhood as well as an artistic enhancement to the site.

 

Calls to artists are open to professional artists with site-specific and/or public art experience. Often times a Community Initiative project requires an artist to live in or near the District of Columbia in order to engage the community in the design, fabrication and installation of the work. Preference is given to artists who reside in the District of Columbia. Artists who apply should have experience working with community representatives, landscape architects, businesses and government entities. 

 

A selection committee, representing diverse interests and expertise, will review slides submitted by the artists and recommend between (3) three to (5) five semi-finalists. Each semi-finalist will be awarded an honorarium to create a site-specific design proposal that would include a scale model or rendering, an itemized budget, a project timeline, and a project narrative. Out-of-the-area artists will also receive a moderate allowance for transportation costs to present the proposal to the panel. The selection committees will reconvene to review the designs and will recommend (1) one finalists for the project. 

 

The design proposal and the selection committee’s recommendations will be forwarded to the DC Arts Commission for review and approval. The artist whose design is approved will then enter into an agreement with the DC Arts Commission for fabrication and installation of the artwork.

 

For more information contact Rachel Dickerson, Public Art Manager, at rachel.dickerson@dc.gov or (202) 724-5613.