BEAD Announces Two Public Art Requests for Proposals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2009

For more information, please contact:
Miah Michaelsen, Assistant Economic Development Director for the Arts, City of Bloomington, 349-3534
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov





Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington is seeking artists or artist teams for two new public art projects in the City's Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD).

The deadline for all submittals is 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, and hard copies of all proposals must be turned in to Miah Michaelsen, City Assistant Economic Development Director for the Arts, at the Economic and Sustainable Development Department at City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street, Suite 210.

The first project is part of BEAD's Garage Culture, a series of projects slated for installation at the City's three public parking garages. Artists are asked to submit proposals outlining design, fabrication and installation of their creations at Garage Art, the 4th and Walnut Parking Garage. Artwork should respond to the site as a public parking garage and reflect downtown as an arts and cultural destination.

Materials and application techniques are not limited and may include structural installations, surface application and lighting and audio components. Proposals should focus on the exterior of the structure, however the interior of the site may be considered as well. The size of the finished artwork is flexible, but once installed it must make a significant visual impact on the garage.

Garage Culture blends Bloomington's spirits of innovation and entrepreneurship with the artistic, creative and visual elements of BEAD in the rebranding and promoting the City's three public parking garages. The campaign is designed to enhance downtown's visual landscape while increasing garage usage and visibility.

The second project is part of BEAD's Pocket Art program, which seeks to enliven downtown Bloomington by generating opportunities for local artists to create art in unexpected places. BEAD is currently looking for proposals for a mural to be painted on a fence surrounding a recycling and refuse containment area located behind the Buskirk-Chumley Theater at 4th and Washington Streets. Respondents for this project should submit design proposals that reflect downtown as an arts and cultural destination, and the selected artist or artist team will be awarded a budget to cover material costs and provide artist honoraria.

All visual artists 18 and over who are current residents of Indiana are invited to submit proposals. Full project descriptions and artist selection criteria are available at www.bloomington.in.gov/BEAD.

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