Public Art Roster: 2025 Midterm Call to Artists

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CALL TO ARTISTS: Join the City of Seattle’s Public Art Roster!

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) invites artists to apply to the Public Art Artist Roster, which will be used to select artists for upcoming public art commissions of up to $500,000. This Midterm call is open to artists who were ineligible, unsuccessful, or unaware of the 2024 roster application. The deadline to receive applications is August 25, 2025 at 5 PM PDT. 

Artists currently on the roster do not need to reapply. All experience levels are welcome!

 

OVERVIEW & BACKGROUND

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) manages the 1% for Arts program that integrates artworks and the ideas of artists into a variety of public settings, advancing Seattle's reputation as a cultural center for innovation and creativity. In alignment with the City's Race and Social Justice Initiative, ARTS works to eliminate institutional racism in programs, public art, policies and practices.

The program specifies that 1% of eligible city capital improvement project funds be set aside for the commission, purchase and installation of artworks. These artworks enrich citizens' daily lives and give voice to artists by providing opportunities for individuals to encounter art in parks, libraries, community centers, on roadways, bridges and other public venues.

The Public Art Roster is ARTS’ primary tool for selecting artists to create new, original, and site-responsive artwork. Artists work with communities and City departments, including:

  •  Seattle City Light
  •  Seattle Department of Transportation
  •  Seattle Public Utilities
  •  Seattle Center
  •  Seattle Parks and Recreation
     

PROJECT TYPES

The Public Art Roster will be used to select artists for public art commissions of up to $500,000 and each new project will include information on the specific project budget and scope of work. Artists on the Roster may be considered for the following types of projects:

  • Sited Artwork: Work that is site responsive and/or site integrated. Artists for these projects collaborate with project design teams to develop artwork concepts. These projects can be in either interior or exterior settings. Artists selected for these projects generally have examples of past work within the public art field. 
  • Temporary Artwork: Work that is site responsive and created with materials that can have a shorter lifespan. Artists for these projects work closely with an ARTS project manager to understand the limitations of the site and create artwork that (oftentimes) can be affixed to an existing structure. Artists selected for these projects generally have examples of past work that showcase their aesthetic and craftsmanship but not necessarily examples of past work within the public art field.
  • Design-Only: Artwork is site specific but has a scope in which ARTS or other agency is responsible for the fabrication and installation of an artwork.
  • Planning Artists: Use artistic methodology to work with community groups in order to develop future projects, ideas or strategy. This type of work generally does not result in a final piece of artwork. Instead, the scope of work focuses on community engagement and frequently results in an art plan or identification of the next steps for a public art project.
  • Digital and Graphic Design: Artwork is responsive to project goals, allowing for the creation of a new artwork that does not necessarily occupy physical space. There is increased interest and desire to commission new artwork that utilizes digital storytelling, data mapping, AR/VR, and graphic design skills. 
  • Purchase of existing artwork for Civic Collection: Artwork that is suitable for purchase and display throughout City facilities and offices.  If selected through the Roster, artists will receive an invitation to submit available work for sale for potential purchase by the City.
     

TIMELINE

The current roster term began in 2024 and ends in 2026. This midterm Call for new applications allows artists who were either ineligible, unsuccessful, or unaware of the roster call in 2024 to have another chance to apply to the current roster. Artists currently on the roster do not need to re-apply. Artists accepted to the roster will have annual opportunities to update their portfolio images, bio, and contact information. 

The key dates for the 2025 mid-term call are below:

  • August 4:  Application open
  • August 12: Information session (in-person and virtual) 
  • August 25: Application closes at 5p Pacific Time
  • September: Panel review
  • October: Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) approval
  • November:  Artist notifications sent 


 

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must:

  • Must reside in the United States or US Territories.
  • Be an independent artist or artist team. Arts organizations, companies or programs are not eligible to apply.
  • Must be the lead artist whose original work is included in the roster application.
  • Must be 18 years of age or older. Collaborative groups must be composed of artists who are 18 or older.
  • Must produce or present artwork that is relevant to the community
  • Must produce or present artwork that is accessible to the public.
  • May submit only one application per artist or artist team.
     

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications must be electronically submitted via the secure online Submittable platform. Technical support for Submittable is available by visiting Submittable.com/help/submitter. Late, lost or misdirected applications will not be accepted.

All applications will require the following materials:

  • Contact Information for the artist or artist team
  • Artwork samples (up to 10) that illustrate your style, experience and materials
  • Meta data details (title, medium, etc.) for each submitted artwork sample
  • Artist Biographical Statement (max 300 words)
  • Artist Statement (max 300 words)
  • Description of experience and project preferences 
  • Demographic questionnaire (not used in selection)
     

Please note the following when filling out your application:

  • Carefully choose your images and review your materials. You may include multiple images of a project to illustrate detail, overall context or scale. 
  • Submitted audio/video must be 1 minute max and should not be a highly produced or edited. A short recording that speaks directly to your interest in this project will suffice. The intent of this option is to provide an opportunity for individuals who feel they can represent themselves better verbally versus in writing through the letter of interest (for example for applicants for whom English is a second language and/or other considerations).
  • Responses to the demographic questionnaire will not affect selection to the Roster

If accepted, we will share the portfolio of images that you submit both with the project selection teams as well as on the Public Art Artist Roster online gallery. Inclusion in the Public Art Artist Roster does not guarantee a commission of artwork.

 

REVIEW & SELECTION

A panel of artists, arts administrators, and community members will review applications based on the following criteria:

  • Unique artistic vision and/or perspective.
  • Authentic connection to subject matter.
  • Ability to create site-responsive work that is relevant to a site and/or community. 
  • Technical skill and command of materials. 

Based on their review, the selection panel will make a recommendation of selected artists to the Public Art Advisory Committee and the ARTS Director for approval.  Applicants not selected, may request feedback from the panel comments.

 

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

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Privacy Notice:

Information that you provide below will become part of a record that is subject to public disclosure. The Office of Arts & Culture will not publish this information, but we are legally bound to provide it upon request. For more information, see the Public Records Act, RCW Chapter 42.56. To learn more about how we manage your information, see our Privacy Statement at www.seattle.gov/tech/initiatives/priva

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