Call to Artists

2020 Sculpture Exhibition

The Public Art League (PAL) in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois is seeking artists to display sculptures in our community. Selected sculptures will be installed in the community metro area and will serve as major visual anchor points, community identity and a statement that creativity and art are of vital importance to our existence in Central Illinois. The Public Art League (PAL) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that advances public art in the Champaign-Urbana urban areas.

Submission Deadline

May 31, 2020 5:00pm CST

Honorarium

Contingent upon a successful fundraising campaign, the Public Art League will offer selected artists a $2,500.00 honorarium to cover artist expenses such as the temporary lease of the artwork, transportation to and from the installation site, food & lodging, and artist fees for on-site availability during installation and de-installation. If multiple pieces are selected from one artist an honorarium will be awarded for each piece. PAL, the Cities of Champaign-Urbana and Business sponsors will provide logistical and staff support, site design parameters, and incur the costs associated with site preparation, the physical installation and promotional events and materials.

Artist Eligibility

This opportunity is open to all professional visual artists, aged 18 and older, with public art experience. Selection panelists and their immediate family members are not eligible for participation.

Artwork Themes

We encourage the entry of pieces with an exciting, vibrant, and energetic nature. We also encourage human representational pieces, and/or work that incorporates illumination at night. Submissions must be existing, completed works and available for delivery during the summer/fall of 2020.

Artwork Scale

There is no required size, however, the sculptures should be capable of serving as visual showpieces along major highways and entryways into the community, or, be suitable for placement on city sidewalks.

Artwork Materials

There are no recommended materials but the artists should consider the viability of the work's structure and appearance and ability to be displayed outdoors for many years. The east-central Illinois climate is hot and humid with intense sunlight, periodic rain, thunderstorms and high sustained winds during the summer, and very cold with frequent sub-zero temperatures during the winter. All artwork must require limited to no maintenance. A statement of recommended maintenance for a 24-month period is required for all submissions.

Artist Responsibilities

Artists selected to exhibit their artwork will be responsible for:

Transportation of artwork to the exhibition site.
Assistance and supervision of the installation of the artwork.
Availability for public information, educational interviews and materials.

Notification

Selected artists will be notified of their selection by e-mail.

Lease Agreement

A signed two (2) year lease agreement will be required after the selection process, before the honorarium is disbursed.

Insurance

Insurance covering the Artworks selected for the Sculpture Exhibition is as follows:

PAL & the City will provide local General Liability Insurance.
No insurance is provided by PAL or the City for the value of the Artwork, however artists may provide their own policies if desired.

Questions and Additional Information

For questions and additional information, please contact the Public Art League at (217) 898-8263 or by e-mail to publicartleague@gmail.com

A complete application must contain the following:

At least 3 images (Front, Back and one side), but no more than 8 images of each entry.
A written statement and diagram with measurements outlining installation requirements.
Maintenance requirements for the entry for the next five years.
At least two images of previously completed artwork. Digital images in PDF format are preferred. All digital images must correspond with an image list. All images must be labeled as follows: artist's last name_first initial_image#.pdf (ex. smith_a_01.PDF)
A current professional resume or curriculum vitae, with an emphasis on public art.