Call for Artists - Public Art in Chelsea 2022

The City of Chelsea is pleased to announce new opportunities for creative engagement to enliven walls across the city.

Wayfinding Murals & Public Art for 5 Sites in Chelsea to Install in Autumn 2022

The unique designs of public art define a place. They serve as anchors, orienting us as we navigate our way through the city. We’ll remember a specific corner, move towards a particular building, understand the network of streets thanks to the constellation of art arrayed throughout the community.

This project is presented through Chelsea Prospers, the City of Chelsea’s initiative for neighborhood vitality. Since 2017, Chelsea Prospers facilitates events, public art and human-centered infrastructure projects in the City of Chelsea, with the goal of weaving community connections and healthier, happier and more prosperous City. Our past work includes the Division Street Neighborway, an art-filled alley through the downtown, a variety of murals using paint, wheatpaste and chalk.

This project includes four sites for painted murals. A fifth involves painting jersey barriers with a companion installation affixed to the existing chainlink fence. A variety of materials and creative approaches to the fence are welcomed such as mesh banners, weaving, and sculpture.

Applications closed on Monday, August 29, 2022.

PROJECT GUIDELINES

Creative Approach: Preference given to designs that reflect the character of the Chelsea community and creatively respond to the proposed site.
Eligibility: Artists in any phase of their career, from emerging to established are encouraged to apply.
Installation: All murals must be painted/installed between Sept 17, 2022 and October 31, 2022. Murals will not extend above one story (~15 feet).
Honorarium: The scale of projects varies in size and challenge across the five sites. Compensation levels reflects where more ambitious designs from experienced artists are sought. Honorarium amounts vary from $1,200 to $9,000.
Project Assistance: The City will provide paint and painting supplies as well as reimbursement for insurance to cover the creative team while executing the artwork on site. The City will further facilitate permits and police details if needed.

SELECTION PROCESS

Submissions will be reviewed by a Review Committee consisting of Chelsea City staff, residents, business owners, and public art/placemaking enthusiasts. The group will review each artist's (or group’s) application and work samples. Once the artist(s) are selected, they will be notified via phone or email. We will select up to 12 semi-finalists to create mock-up designs for specific walls and from that pool, we will choose finalists to create the work. Each semi-finalist will be paid one-hundred dollars ($100.00) to create their mock-ups.

Selection Criteria: Applications will be evaluated including, but not limited to, the following criteria:

Preference will be given to Chelsea artists and those with familiarity to the community;
Artists with 2+ years of experience in large-scale, outdoor murals are encouraged to apply;
Artistic merit of body of work samples;
Strong design concept;
Potential for artist’s work to enrich the city of Chelsea;
Probability of successful execution of project within the proposed time frame;
Effective communication and organizational skills; and
Completeness of application.
Note: Content must be “family friendly." No nudity, pornography, profanity, or any offensive material.

PROJECT TIMELINE

Info session: Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 7 pm via Zoom.
Deadline to apply: Application materials must be received no later than 9 AM on Monday, August 29, 2022
Semi-Finalists Announced: September 1, 2022
Mock-Up Designs Due from Semi-Finalists: September 12, 2022
Finalists Selected, Contracting: Completed by September 16, 2022
Installation: September 17 through October 30, 2022
Celebration and Promotion: weekend of November 5, 2022