Stop and StART Program Invites Artists to Transform Traffic Boxes

Bloomington, Ind. - The Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD), the Bloomington Arts Commission (BAC), and the Department of Economic and Sustainable Development (ESD) invite area artists or community teams to submit proposals to transform city traffic boxes into works of art.  Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. on September 7 at the following email address: starowis@bloomington.in.gov.  Artists chosen will be notified by September 28 and projects must be completed by the end of 2018.  There is no application fee to submit a design, and artists chosen will be paid a stipend upon completion of their project.

Since 2007, the Stop and StART program has seen the transformation of more than a dozen city traffic boxes from functional landmarks into works of public art.  Proposed designs should reflect the character of the traffic box’s specific locale. Artists are encouraged to visit the following locations to become familiar with the spatial and environmental specifics of each site:

• College Avenue and 11th Street

• College Avenue and 10th Street

• Walnut Avenue and 7th Street

• Kirkwood Avenue and Adams Street

• 2nd and College

• Covenanter and College Mall
   

Artists need not have had public art experience to apply.  Designs will be selected on the basis of originality, composition, and visibility from a distance, as well as the artist’s experience,  by a panel consisting of staff from ESD, members of the BAC and of several neighborhood associations, along with other City staff. Consideration will be given to showcasing the diversity of local artists and artistic forms, and to enhancing the beauty of the built environment.

Two-dimensional media including paint and/or collage will be considered. Entries must be appropriate for all ages, and must not include defamatory, commercial, or offensive content.  Artists must provide their own insurance, brushes, cleaning supplies, and drop cloths to protect the sidewalk.

Proposals should be submitted electronically with the following information:  name, address, telephone number, email address, Illustrations, renderings or sketches of the proposed artwork, an artist’s statement, and a conceptual description of the proposed project.  Artists are encouraged to provide examples of previous work and a resume (two pages maximum). Files should be submitted in a .pdf or .jpg format and will be acknowledged upon receipt. Please state “Stop and StART Proposal” in the subject line.  

A $300 stipend to cover artist fees, materials, and equipment purchases required to execute the project will be awarded upon its completion. ESD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, either in whole or in part; to waive any irregularities and/or informalities; and in general to make awards in any manner deemed to be in the best interest of the City.
 

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