Waterville Creates! Public Art Task Group Issues Call for Public Art Proposals
Organization seeks temporary public art proposals relating to the theme of the Kennebec River as a focal point of Waterville’s past, current, and future identity
Waterville, Maine — The Waterville Creates! Public Art Task Group, a collaborative entity that – in keeping with Waterville’s cultural plan – seeks to provide diverse encounters with art and creativity in the public realm, invites artists to submit proposals for a temporary public art installation from May 1 through September 30, 2018. A minimum of two artists will be selected to provide works of art for exterior display, installation, and/or performance in the City of Waterville. This invitation is open to artists whether they live within or outside of the state of Maine, and proposals should relate to the artist’s reflections on the Kennebec River as a focal point of Waterville’s past, current, and future identity. Proposals are due December 1, 2017.
“Our first Public Art Task Group project, Waterville Wheat Paste, was a resounding success,” said Shannon Haines, President and CEO of Waterville Creates! “This collaborative, temporary art installation enlivened our city during the Maine International Film Festival this past July and proved Waterville has an appetite for public art. For this new project, we’re leaving it up to the artists to propose exactly what and where our next temporary art exhibition will be, and we cannot wait to see what they dream up and what we can make a reality.”
Artists are encouraged to propose specific sites that they have identified. Any site within the city of Waterville is eligible, though preference will be given to sites with high visibility and/or high volumes of pedestrian traffic, such as the downtown district, the South End, and Quarry Road. Waterville Creates! will fund projects on privately owned property provided the artist has a written agreement with the property owner.
All media, including performance art, sound, projection, and light installations, are eligible for consideration. Performance art pieces may be one-time, multiple, or ongoing occurrences. All work will be professionally documented through photographs and/or video at the expense and under the supervision of Waterville Creates!, who will maintain all rights to the resulting images and video.
The maximum stipend for the temporary public art will be $5000. Artists are responsible for transporting, installing, and removing the artwork after the exhibition. Exterior artwork should be durable and require no maintenance during the exhibition period. Waterville Creates! will work with the City of Waterville to provide site specific installation assistance as required. Limited funds in addition to the artist stipend may be available to assist with this process. Attention to public safety issues and resistance to vandalism are also important considerations. Approval of artwork will be contingent on satisfactorily addressing liability issues and assuring structural integrity.
For more information or to apply, visit: www.watervillecreates.org or email [email protected].
About Waterville Creates!
Waterville Creates! promotes increased awareness of cultural opportunities and events while supporting enhanced programming and operations for its community partners and audiences. Waterville Creates! provides marketing, administrative, and development services to arts and cultural institutions in the greater Waterville area. Learn more at https://www.watervillecreates.org