Call to Artists: Public Art at PVDFest 2024
Summary
The call for PVDFest Public Art has closed. PVDFest has many open calls for artists and vendors which can be found on their website Free Outdoor Festival in Providence – PVDFEST
The City of Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism (ACT) called artists to submit qualifications and designs for Public Art at PVDFest 2024. The deadline for proposals was April 1. We are now in the review process and will announce the awarded artists later this spring.
Sites have been pre-selected by PVDFest organizers and the Art in City Life Commission. Semifinalists will be asked to submit design proposals specific to one of these pre-selected sites. There will be two awarded finalists at two of the three sites (2 artists total, one site will not be selected based on the artist proposals and panelist discretion).
This call was open to individual artists or artist teams that are 18 years old or older with a home or studio address in the Providence Metro Area (defined as all of Rhode Island and Bristol County Massachusetts). Artists or artist teams that have received a PVDFest Public Art Commission in 2020 or 2021were not eligible to apply for a 2024 commission.
Awardees will be given $22,000 to realize their temporary projects.
Selected works will be installed in August 2024 and remain on display for up to one year.
Project Goals
The temporary public art projects at PVDFest 2024 will announce the end of summer arts and cultural activities and will remain on site for a minimum of three months and maximum of twelve months. These new and original works should enhance pedestrian-level interactions by making the streetscape more vibrant, interactive and playful, surprising, or beautiful. The Art Selection Panel will review proposals for projects that will maintain structural and visual integrity, are responsive and interactive, and will generate excitement for the entirety of the exhibition.
To learn more about previous works developed through this regular call to artists, here.
Site and Location
There are three sites associated with this Call to Artists. During this stage of the selection process, applicants must rank the sites according to their level of interest. If an applicant does not want to be considered for each site, they may note so in the form below. The Art Selection Panel will choose a total of six semifinalists, and of that group, two artists will be selected to submit designs for two of the three sites.
Site 1: Civic Center Garage
Washington Street Facade (165 Washington Street, Providence RI 02903)
This site is ideal for 2D or 3D installation. In the past, successful projects have included 2D works such as murals, billboards, designed signs, and mosaic fabrics. We also think 2D glassworks, luminary art such as projection and/or reflection, and 3D add-on works such as sculpture and pottery would be successful. Moving Image such as short film, video, and animation could work well at this site, assuming the exhibition will last the full twelve-month duration to accommodate for changes to daylight hours. We ask that Artists think about height and placement on the facade so that the work can call attention to both pedestrians and drivers. This site is private property and the City shall obtain permission for use. Artists must be able to identify the weight of any added elements to the building and clearly note the installation methods in their design proposal. The site offers electrical access at points dependent upon the installation. The access point for any projected works would be dependent on the needs of the installation and may require additional site permissions. An aerial installation is not applicable for this site.
Site 2: City Hall Apron
25 Dorrance Street, Providence RI 02903 (corner of Washington Street and Dorrance)
This site is ideal for 3D sculpture. We think freestanding murals, billboards, designed sign, mosaic fabrics, and glassworks may also work well here. Any free-standing structure will require at least 3 feet of clearance in all directions for ADA accessibility and will be exposed to pedestrian level interaction. Large public events occur downtown throughout the year and projects should be welcoming and responsive to the diverse public gatherings that our City welcomes. This site is public property, and the City shall grant permission for use. Artists must be able to identify the weight and pound square inch of any structural element being brought to the site. Electricity and projection access are available via the plaza. An aerial installation is not applicable for this site.
Site 3: Empire Plaza
444 Westminster Street, Providence RI 02903 (paved plaza just above the stairs to Empire Street)
This site is ideal for an aerial installation or freestanding sculpture. The site is frequented by municipal workers at 444 Westminster, pedestrians, residents of Cathedral Square, Roger Williams University students, and preschool children who often play at the open space adjacent to the plaza. This site is public property, and the City shall grant permission for use. Artists must be able to identify the weight and pound square inch of any structural element being brought to the site. Electricity access is available via existing infrastructure.
Project Budget
The total project budget for this program is $58,000, inclusive of design stipends, artist fees, fabrication and install. Each of the six semifinalists will receive $1000 to develop their design proposal, which will include a narrative, installation plan, budget, proposed timeline and maintenance plan for the duration of the exhibition. Each of the two awarded artists or artist teams will receive a total of $22,000 to develop and install their projects, inclusive of artist fees, fabrication and installation costs. The following breakdown serves as a guide:
| Design Stipends | $4000 | $1000 x 4 semifinalists |
| Artist Fees | $44,000 | $22,000 per awarded artist / artist team |
| Tech / installation support | $10,000 | ACT shall reserve up to $10,000 for additional tech and installation support across all two projects and sites, the $10,000 allocation of these funds will be discussed in the second phase of the art selection process and dependent on the needs of each selected proposal. |
Eligibility
This call is open to individual artists or artist teams that are 18 years old or older with a home or studio address in the Providence Metro Area (defined as all of Rhode Island and Bristol County Massachusetts). Artists or artist teams that have received a PVDFest Public Art Commission in 2020 or 2021 are not eligible to apply for a 2024 commission.
- Applicant must be 18 years or older and hold a current Providence Metro Area home or studio address to be eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate their experience with a portfolio consisting of at least three exterior works.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate project management skills and be able to adhere to deadlines.
- Those who self-identify as BIPOC, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, women, member of the disabled community, and non-mono English speakers are encouraged to apply.
Art Selection Method
Art Selection Process: We will follow the Standard Art Commissioning Process with a two-tiered competitive, design-based selection.
The Art Selection Panel will have 5 members including:
- Art in City Life Commissioner
- ACT Director /designee
- FirstWorks Staff /designee
- Two independent artists
Selection Criteria
Round 1: To Select Semifinalists
- Artist statement and previous work examples show the applicant’s work aligns with the vision for PVDFest projects
- Previous work examples show durability of public art projects and/or potential to fabricate achievable work
- Previous work examples show the artist’s preferred media and format are plausible for their site of choice
Round 2: To Select Awarded Finalists
Invited semifinalists will receive detailed instructions as to how to submit their Design Proposals. Design Proposals must include a project summary, design concept, an installation and de-installation plan, maintenance plan and project budget not to exceed $22,000 including fabrication, installation, and artist fee. Only complete design proposals will be reviewed. Criteria include:
- Artistic Merit
- Public Safety
- Site Suitability
- Durability
- Demonstrated capacity/experience of Artist
- Achievability
To Submit:
The deadline for proposals was April 1. We are now in the review process and will announce the awarded artists later this spring.
Project Schedule
| Call to artists opens | March 1, 2024 |
| Application Deadline | April 1, 2024 |
| Semifinalists notified | April 25, 2024 |
| Full design proposals due | June 7, 2024 |
| Finalists notified | June 28, 2024 |
| Finalists and alternates announced and Contracted | July 2024 |
| Install | August 2024 |
