Local Artist Skills Wanted for Downtown Plano Arts District - $300K Compensation

Do you or someone you know have creative and beautiful artwork that could be a great addition to Downtown Plano?

Accepting submissions until: May 9, 2016

Artist compensation: $300,000 includes design, implementation and install

Apply through callforentry.org

The Project. The City of Plano is searching for original works of art to dress up the entrances of the new arts district. The seven designated entrance locations are on 15th Street between US Highway 75 and G Avenue as you approach the historic Downtown Plano Arts District. Six of the locations are lining the newly renovated north and south sides of 15^th Street, and there is one larger area in the landscaped median at 15^th Street and the Frontage Road. Each location has power available. A good note for artists to remember: Give careful consideration to traffic sightlines and pedestrians while coming up with the proposal.

A friendly game of competition. The City will first call for artist qualifications. A panel of downtown stakeholders will then choose a few artists and ask for their proposals for downtown. Once the artists’ proposals are submitted, the panel will choose finalists to present their proposals to City Council members for final selection.

Submission Requirements:

All applications must be submitted through callforentry.org.

Artists are asked to submit 10–20 images of previous works along with the locations, references and a description of each project. Images must be submitted in 72 ppi/dpi resolution, no smaller than 1920 pixels on the longest side, in a .jpeg file format only.

In addition:

• Please submit an Artist Statement, which includes your philosophy towards your art (3,000 words max)
• A bio no longer than 900 words
• Resume

Selection:

City of Plano has selected a board comprised of residents of the area, downtown Plano merchants, and representatives of the arts community and city staff to review the submissions. Artists will be evaluated on creativity and the style that is the best fit for the Downtown Plano Arts District. Upon the first evaluations of submissions, several artists will be asked to provide their vision for the specific project, taking into consideration the automobile and foot traffic along 15^th Street and durability to withstand the outdoor elements.

The second evaluations will narrow down the selected artists to three and will be presented to the City Council for the final selection.

Eligibility:

This call is open to artists working in any media with experience in public art, and at least 18 years of age. The artist will be responsible for the complete and successful installation of the art according to all codes. If selected in the first round, there will be additional liability and insurance requirements.

Downtown Plano Arts District

From its founding in the 1870s through the mid-20th Century, Downtown Plano was the heart of this small farming community. Plano citizens and surrounding Collin County residents came Downtown to access the cities of Dallas or Sherman by rail, to shop for household goods, and for access to critical services at the local hospital, school, and governmental offices. It has been noted that the reason for Plano’s growth was that it was a major mule exchange for regional farmers.

Arts in Downtown Plano: The arts began emerging in downtown Plano in 2001 with the opening of the Courtyard Theater and not too long after, the Cox Playhouse opened as well. In 2006, the Douglass Community Mural was completed and dedicated. Other cultural assets in the area include the Interurban Railway Museum, the Grand Stand and the Through the Park sculpture in Haggard Park.

During the last 15 years, more than ten restaurants have opened in the beautiful historic stores providing food, beverages and entertainment. Several galleries are in downtown and artist studios are located in adjacent neighborhoods with more expected in the next few years. In 2015, the area was recognized as one of the Great Neighborhoods in America by the American Planning Association and City Council approved the area pursuing the arts district designation. In 2016, we look forward to adding McCall Plaza, an outdoor concert venue, and the Saigling House, a renovated historic home that will be managed by the Art Centre of Plano as an additional event space.