Detroit Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship EXTENDS deadline on Open Call for artist to paint Farwell Rec Center Mural

2022

Detroit Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship EXTENDS deadline on Open Call for artists to paint Farwell Rec Center Mural

  • Mural is to honor community heroes as well as healing from the Covid 19 pandemic

  • Artist stipend is $30,000

  • New Deadline to apply is July 13, 2022

The Detroit Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (Detroit ACE) is seeking an artist or collaborative team for a creative place-keeping project on the Farwell Recreation Center.

The theme for the mural installation will be the result of engagement with residents in the community, who suggested that it should honor community heroes. A selection committee comprising community members and members of the Detroit ACE team anticipates choosing an artist or team by August 5.

The project is among many Detroit ACE is undertaking to better connect artists with Detroit communities and to improve the look of neighborhoods across the city. It also is a part of Mayor Mike Duggan’s Blight to Beauty initiative.

“We hope to help communities embrace artwork that reflects the values and identities of the communities,” said Rochelle Riley, the city’s Director of Arts and Culture. “Our goal is to amplify community assets and elevate the stature of some of the best artists in the country.”

Artists interested in applying should send a packet to Detroit ACE with the following information:

  • Name, address and phone number
  • Past mural experience and where those murals are located
  • Past construction experience since panels will have to be mounted to the walls. Up to five examples of past work, whether it still exists or not. Digital images must be JPEG files and must be no more than 300dpi and no larger than 1024 x 768-pixel resolution. Each image must be unlocked and downloadable for viewing. Each JPEG image must be titled with the artist’s name and image number. (Example: SaraSmith1, SaraSmith2).
  • Two references from previous public art clients
  • An artist statement explaining why he/she or they are artists. The artist statement should list all needed materials, resume and answers to the following questions: o What interests you about the project? o What are your preliminary ideas for the project? o How do you envision working in collaboration with the community and with students? o What is your past experience working on complex projects with criteria and constraints dictated by the site owner? o How would your project benefit the community?

Project Schedule July 13 - Applications are due from artists to [email protected] July 15 - ACE will review packages with Farwell community July 22 - ACE will host a meeting to introduce the three finalists to the community. August 5 - Community will choose the winning artist August 19 - Winning artist’s sketch is due back to the community. August 22 - Construction begins August 30 - Painting begins

Artist/Artist Team Responsibilities. The artist must:

  • Work in collaboration with the residents, the General Services Department and the Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship to engage in a series of art and community-based activities and a creation process aligned on themes submitted from the local community.
  • Share their personal practice with the community, as this is, inherently, a group project.
  • Conduct research to better understand the site, the project and the community’s history and current culture, along with any other elements deemed helpful to their creative process
  • Create a final approved concept and design for the mural
  • Host a minimum of one community participation day while creating the artwork Work with the General Services Department to identify and secure the services of suppliers, fabricators, installers, and/or other professionals as necessary to fulfill the artist’s responsibilities in the production and completion of the work
  • Fulfill the responsibilities within the contracted budget and timeline City Walls Detroit responsibilities.

Budget The overall budget for the project is an estimated $43,135 with $30,000 budgeted as a stipend for the artist and $13,145 to construct free-standing panels and buy paint and materials. This budget is all-inclusive, including artist’s fees, artist’s assistant costs, artist’s studio costs, materials and supplies and installation of all artwork.

Artist Selection Artists will be chosen by a community panel in partnership with the Detroit ACE and the office of Councilman Scott Benson. The panel will use the following points system:

  • Being a Detroit-based artist 10 points
  • Preliminary sketches 25 points
  • Experience in accomplishing projects of a similar complexity within the budget, timeline and technical constraints presented 25 points
  • Experience in community engagement 15 points
  • Artist Statement 25 points

All questions should be directed to Rochelle Riley at [email protected] or (313) 480-5265.