Seeking Proposals for Artwork Installations

Olympia Artspace Alliance is seeking proposals from artists and artist teams to develop site-responsive, temporary, 2-dimensional and/or 3-dimensional art installations related to the theme “Walk this Way.”  The artwork will be installed in vacant storefront windows in downtown Olympia, March 7-June 30, 2022.

Project Summary

“Art in Olympia Storefronts” is a project of the Olympia Artspace Alliance (OAA) to create a series of temporary art installations in vacant storefront windows in downtown Olympia. The project is made possible with the support of Olympia Federal Savings, and with funding from the Olympia Downtown Alliance, Olympia Grants to Arts and Culture Organizations, the City of Olympia/PBIA, ArtsWA/the Washington State Arts Commission and individual donations.

Project goals

·       Activating vacant and/or underutilized spaces downtown

·       Providing high quality exhibition opportunities to local artists

·       Increasing public access to professional art

·       Encouraging creative activity throughout our community

Installation Information

“Walk this Way” is the theme for our spring 2022 exhibition, and we invite artists to propose artwork that reflects maps, exploration, vision, gathering, and new directions. Proposals will be selected through a jury process. We particularly seek work that is innovative and that will capture the attention of people walking through the streets of downtown Olympia.

All 2D and 3D visual media accepted, including video.

Proposed installations may consist of existing or new works.  

Preference will be given to artwork that responds to the space and the scale of the site.

Content must be suitable for the general public. No explicit sexual or violent imagery or profanity will be accepted.

All materials and labor required for installations are the responsibility of the artist. This includes hanging hardware, curtains or temporary walls, tools, and any other materials/equipment required to install the artwork. Artists will be expected to comply with OAA safety protocols, including following COVID-19 precautions.

Artists are responsible for maintaining their work for the duration of the installation and may be asked to repair their work if necessary and requested by OAA.

One application per artist or artist team.

Four sites are available at The Goldberg Building, 403 Capitol Way. Overhead lighting and electric power are available for each window, and each window has a black backdrop. Note that the building can be damp.

A - The Goldberg Building - 3 windows to left of main doors
B - The Goldberg Building - Corner 6 windows
C - The Goldberg Building - West end - two large(er) window
D - The Goldberg Building - West end - two small(er) windows

Stipend:​ $500.00 per artist/artist team

Eligibility:​ Preference will be given to artists currently living within 50 miles of Olympia

Timeline
Deadline to submit proposals:​ Friday 5 pm, January 21, 2022

Notification:​ Friday, January 28, 2022

Installation:​ March 15, 2022
Completed installations in place:​ March 13-June 30, 2022

To Apply

Materials required for submission:

Contact Information – Name, address, phone number, email address, website (if any)

o   Brief resume or artist statement of relevant background

o   A statement (limit 200 words) describing your vision for the project, design elements, how it will be displayed, how you will address/cover the entire window, and a list of proposed materials.

o   A sketch or diagram in your preferred site. The jury will make the final determination.

o   6 images from your current portfolio. Images should be formatted at 1280 pixels in the widest dimension. Title each image: name_title_.jpg

Note: Only completed applications will be considered.

Send applications via email to: ​info@olympiaartspace.org​ by 5 pm, Friday, January 21, 2022. Please send one email w/ four files: Contact info + Resume, Statement, Sketch, Images

Selection Criteria:

Eligible proposals will be reviewed by a jury/selection panel convened by OAA.

Proposals will be reviewed and selected using the following criteria:

o   Overall aesthetic quality and ingenuity of proposed installation.

o   Ability to create a temporary public installation on scale with the architecture and site.

o   Appropriateness of work for general public and site.

o   Evidence that the proposed project is feasible.