CALL FOR ART for Spring 2024 Exhibition—Theme is “Community”
Previous Art in Storefronts Exhibit in the Goldberg Building. Artwork by P.Calavara
OAA invites artists to submit work reflecting on what community means to them.
“Community” is the theme for our Spring 2024 exhibition - OAA invites artists to reflect on what community means to them and propose artwork that celebrates communities of all kinds, from our natural world and local connections to our global human networks. Proposals will be selected through a jury process. We particularly seek work that is innovative and that will capture the attention of people walking through the streets of downtown Olympia.
Applications DUE March 3rd at 11:59 pm - One application per artist or artist team.
Olympia Artspace Alliance is seeking proposals from artists and artist teams to develop site-responsive, temporary, 2-dimensional and/or 3-dimensional art installations related to the theme “Community”. The artwork will be installed in vacant storefront windows in downtown Olympia, mid-April through the end of July, 2024.
Project Summary
“Art in Olympia Storefronts” is a project of the Olympia Artspace Alliance (OAA) to create a series of temporary art installations in vacant storefront windows in downtown Olympia. The project is made possible with the support of Olympia Federal Savings, and with funding from Olympia Downtown Alliance, Olympia Grants to Arts and Cultural Organization, the City of Olympia/PBIA, ArtsWA/the Washington State Arts Commission and individual donations.
Project Goals
Activate vacant and/or underutilized spaces downtown
Provide high-quality exhibition and paid opportunities to local artists
Increasing public access to professional art
Encouraging creative activity throughout our community
Installation Information
“Community” is the theme for our Spring 2024 exhibition - OAA invites artists to reflect on what community means to them and propose artwork that celebrates communities of all kinds, from our natural world and local connections to our global human networks. Proposals will be selected through a jury process. We particularly seek work that is innovative and that will capture the attention of people walking through the streets of downtown Olympia.
Proposals will be selected through a jury process. We particularly seek work that is innovative and that will capture the attention of people walking through the streets of downtown Olympia.
All 2D and 3D visual media accepted, including video.
Proposed installations may consist of existing or new works. Preference will be given to artwork that responds to the space and the scale of the site. Content must be suitable for the general public. No explicit sexual or violent imagery of profanity will be accepted.
All materials and labor required for installations are the responsibility of the artist. This includes hanging, hardware, curtains or temporary walls, tools and any other materials/equipment required to install the artwork. Artists will be expected to comply with OAA safety protocols.
Artists are responsible for maintaining their work for the duration of the installation and may be asked to repair their work if necessary and requested by OAA.
Submitting Your Proposal - APPLY HERE
Please submit this information at the link above:
● Contact Information: Name, address, phone number, email, website/social media links
● A statement (limit 200 words) describing your vision for the proposal, design elements, and how it will
● be displayed.
● A sketch or diagram of your proposal
● Images of the work for the installation, or work you have created in a similar style
● Please indicate if you have a preferred site (see below for window options)
We suggest you visit the site before submitting your proposal. This will enhance your understanding of the windows and
their scale (reach out if you would like a tour).
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed and selected using the following criteria:
● Overall aesthetic quality and ingenuity of proposed installation.
● Ability to create a temporary public installation on scale with the architecture and site.
● Appropriateness of work for the general public and site.
● Evidence that the proposed project is feasible.
Timeline
Deadline to submit proposals: Sunday, March 3rd by 11:59 pm.
Notification: Thursday, March 7th.
Once your proposal is accepted and approved: We will schedule a meeting the week of March 11th to sign contracts and dispense your first payment as well as give you more detailed information about the site and materials available for your use.
Installation: April 13th-18, 2024.
Completed installations in place: April 19th, 2024.
Deinstallation: July 27th-28th, 2024.
Conditions
Stipend: $500
● Selected artists will receive $500 in two installments: $350 upon signing the contract, and the remainder
upon removal and clean-up of installation space at the end of the installation.
● Contracts with selected artists will grant the property owner, ODA and OAA the right to reproduce and
distribute images of the artwork in connection with marketing the Arts in Olympia Storefront Project.
● Participation in this project is done at the artist’s own risk. Property owner, ODA and OAA will not be
held responsible for loss, theft or damage, including breakage, of displayed work.
● Artists will be expected to comply with OAA safety protocols.
● Artists, and their volunteers, are responsible for installing the work. OAA Storefront Manager and Board Members will be available for some assistance if necessary.
Goldberg Building
Four sites are available at The Goldberg Building, 403 Capitol Way. OAA anticipates selecting one proposal for each of the four sites. Overhead lighting and electric power are available for each window, and each window has a black backdrop. Note that the building can be damp.
A- 3 Windows to left of main doors
B- Corner 6 windows
C- West end- 2 large(er) windows
D- West end- 2 small(er) windows
Non Discrimination
Olympia ArtSpace Alliance does not discriminate on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, or the presence of any disability.
Questions? Please email OAA Storefronts Manager Erika Naficy at storefronts@olympiaartspace.org
Partners and Sponsors of Olympia ArtSpace Alliance: Olympia Downtown Alliance (ODA), PBIA, National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsWa, Olympia Federal Credit Union and the City of Olympia.