Application Deadline: June 7, 2023, 11:59 PM

 

Budget: $1,500 for 4 stamp designs

 

To Apply: Read the full Call to Artists for all details and apply at: https://tacomaarts.submittable.com/submit/262625/2023-concrete-stamps-safe-routes-to-school

Opportunity 

The City of Tacoma is seeking 3 artists to each design 4 digital artworks, which will be reproduced as large stamps to be applied to freshly poured concrete throughout the city. This project is designed to highlight the Tacoma Safe Routes to School (SRTS) partnership, which works to support and encourage students and families to safely walk and roll to school. This opportunity is open to visual artists living in the City of Tacoma. The final designs must be delivered as vector files. The City will pay for and manage stamp production and installation. Successful designs will spark joy, create visual interest, and be dynamic enough to capture the attention of those who walk and roll by. Artists will be selected based on past work only and should not submit design proposals in their application. Stamps will be installed at Safe Routes to School projects near Manitou Park, Whitman, Edison, and Birney Elementary Schools and Lincoln High School. In addition to these locations, final stamp designs may be installed in other areas of Tacoma as street improvements are completed. 

 

Eligibility

• Applicant must live in Tacoma, WA
• Applicant must be able to translate digital designs into vector files
• Applicant must be 18 years or older
• Applicant cannot be on the Tacoma Arts Commission or an employee of the City of Tacoma
• Applicant cannot have created concrete stamp designs for the City of Tacoma previously

Selection Criteria

• Artistic quality as exemplified in past work
• Ability to think and work in a graphic style
• Ability to deliver designs in a vector format
• Artists with a connection to one or more of the school sites where stamps will be installed will be prioritized (Manitou Park, Whitman, Edison, and Birney Elementary Schools; Lincoln High School)
• Artists will be selected as a “cohort” meant to represent a diversity of styles and perspectives

Timeline

• June 7, 2023, 11:59 PM - Applications Due
• June 23, 2023 - Notification of Artist Selection
• July 17, 2023 - Draft designs due
• July 31, 2023 - Final designs due as vector files
• August – October 2023 - Stamp production and installation

Submission Process: Submit the following items via Submittable (https://tacomaarts.submittable.com/submit/262625/2023-concrete-stamps-safe-routes-to-school)

1. Basic Information: Series of yes/no and multiple choice questions
2. Work Samples with Descriptions: Submit 5 digital images of past work with short descriptions.
3. Narrative Questions:
   a. Why are you interested in this opportunity, and how do you think your work will translate to concrete stamps? (250 words max).
   b. Anything else you want to tell us? If you have a connection to one or more of the school sites, please let us know (Manitou Park, Whitman, Edison, and Birney Elementary Schools; Lincoln High School) (250 words max).

Questions?

Contact Rebecca Solverson, rebecca.solverson@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5564

  

 

Photo credit: Installation of Chris Duenas' octopus medallion concrete stamp design

Workshop 1: Building Better Business Foundations Part I
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 6-8pm
If you have a business idea but are not sure where to start, this workshop will walk you through some of those first steps that are at the core of your business. In this 2 hour foundations workshop, we will explore your ‘why’, vision, mission, and values statements. Do you know the difference between knowing your ‘why’ and having a passion? It is very important for you to know the difference when we are talking about business. The vision, mission, and values statements form the foundation for all activities in an organization. These statements guide the behaviors of people in the organization. At the end of this workshop, you will have a clear understanding of these foundations…this is an interactive workshop, so bring your pencils! Pre-registration required. This is a hybrid workshop, register for address and zoom information at: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sc-irpzwuGtCqsHsPvNbse1Ox0i8icSQP

Workshop 2: Building Better Business Foundations Part II
Wednesday, July 12, 2021 at 6-7:30pm
In this 1.5 hour workshop, we will talk about the importance of market research for your product or service and how to collect that data. The purpose of Market Research is to verify market need. A business must understand who needs a product or service and why they need it. Learn about testing your product or service in the market and different ways you can conduct research. Pre-registration required. This is a hybrid workshop, register for address and zoom information at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsduyqpzwsEtefQT2nHdetYtB3lxE68o79

❓If you have questions about accessibility or workshop details, please contact Jennifer English (she/they) at JenniferE@tacomachamber.org.

Since 2021, the Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality has been collaborating with local organizations to provide free professional development workshops for Tacoma creatives, artists, creative workers, cultural workers, and arts advocates.

What is a Panel?

A panel is a group of individuals pulled together by staff to review applications or nominations for Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality managed programs or opportunities. Panel members use published review criteria to evaluate applications and make recommendations about who gets grant funding, public art projects, roster appointments, etc.

Panelists are selected for a variety of reasons which can include: their connection to community, knowledge of relevant subject matter, and the diversity of perspectives and experiences they bring to the group overall. For each opportunity, we assemble a unique panel of three to nine people to make collective recommendations about which applicants should receive funding or commissions through our office. Those recommendations generally go to the Tacoma Arts Commission or the Tacoma Creates Advisory Board for final approval.

Why be a Panelist?

The Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality (OACV) is deeply appreciative of the time and expertise community members invest in serving on panels. Serving on a panel is a proactive way to impact how public funds are spent in Tacoma, and panelists receive valuable professional development as well as insight into how the application review process works from the inside.

OACV provides panelists with free parking and food during meetings, in addition to offering a monetary stipend.

The length and number of meetings needed for a selection process vary based on the project. Depending on the application, some panels will require a small amount of prep work in advance, one to two hours, and some panels may require extensive reading and evaluation work in advance of the in-person panel meeting, anywhere from 10-50 hours. Community members will be offered a stipend for their service as follows:

• $50 – quarter day meeting (1 – 2 hours)
• $100 – half day meeting (3 ‐ 4 hours)
• $200 – full day meeting (6 – 9 hours)
• $100 – pre‐meeting work to digitally read and score applications (only when requested)

Members of a City‐appointed commission or board are volunteers and are not eligible to receive a stipend for their service on a panel. City of Tacoma employees and project staff are not eligible to receive a stipend for their service on a panel.

Submit a Panel Interest Form

Please complete the online form to be considered for a position on an upcoming OACV panel: www.surveymonkey.com/r/tacomapanels 

 

Staff will take into account many factors when putting together panels, and may not be able to use the services of all qualified individuals who submit. If an individual is offered a position on a panel but is unable to participate because of scheduling or conflict of interest, OACV will continue to consider them for future panels. Panel Interest Forms will be saved and reviewed periodically for up to three years from the submission date.

Questions

If you have questions, please contact Naomi Strom-Avila at nstrom-avila@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5191.