The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), working with the Chicago Public Library, invites professional artists to submit their interest in a public art commission for the new Greater Grand Crossing Branch Library. This commission opportunity is to create a site-specific artwork that responds to the community’s clearly stated desire that the public art for their library be reflective of intellectual curiosity, creativity and a thirst for knowledge expressed in a visually sophisticated manner. Uniquely, this library is a partner in Pocket Con, a comic conference held in the neighborhood for Chicago teens and focusing on underrepresented populations in the comic genre. The local youth and parent awareness of Anime and graphic novels is high. All media will be considered but it is essential that it have low maintenance requirements. The panel has identified the large wall in the main entry and the “frieze band” wall sections immediately over the bookshelves in the Reading Room as primary sites for consideration. There is also an outdoor reading garden. Artists may propose for any public area of the library and grounds. The panel will select semi-finalists in June 2015 who will be paid honoraria to develop proposals by September with finalist being selected in October. Installation by the commissioned finalist is expected within one year of contracting.
Total project budget: $44,335
Application deadline: 10:59pm CST, June 14, 2015.
For more details and to apply, please visit www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ).
Please note: If you have previously submitted materials to DCASE’s Artist Registry, you still need to apply via CaFÉ in order to be considered for this opportunity. DCASE’s Public Art Program reserves the right to commission artists who do not apply.