The City of Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority is seeking to commission artists or artist teams to design two unique public artwork projects:
PROJECT ONE:
Wayfinding Art
DEADLINE:
October 20, 2024 at 11:59pm EST
PROJECT TWO:
Farmers Market Sunshade
DEADLINE:
October 20 at 11:59pm
EST
PROJECT ONE
Wayfinding Art
BUDGET:
$150,000
ELIGIBILITY:
Open to artists or artist teams residing in the United States of America
DEADLINE:
October 20, 2024 at 11:59pm EST
OPPORTUNITY
The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) Elevate Program aims to fund public art and placemaking installations that enhance the downtown experience for all people. Reflective of this commitment to public art and the Elevate Program goals, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority is seeking to commission an artist or artist team to design and install unique and creative art as a wayfinding system to connect the Ann/Ashley Parking Structure to the Farmers Market in Ann Arbor, MI.
The installation area will start at the parking structure, follow the south side of Miller Ave/Catherine St to 4th Ave, and 4th Ave to the Farmers Market. The DDA is open to proposals from different types of artists (including 3D-based artists, 2D-based artists, and designers) and desires a family-friendly, playful, and engaging work that visually connects pedestrians and cyclists throughout the entire path.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Kerrytown neighborhood is home to Community High School and several other Ann Arbor attractions, including Zingerman’s Deli, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Kerrytown Concert House, the Ann Arbor Artisans’ Market, and more. In addition to weekly Farmers Markets, the neighborhood annually hosts Kindlefest and the African American Festival. The neighborhood is considered family-friendly and walkable and becomes quite busy during farm market hours.
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is located in Kerrytown neighborhood of downtown Ann Arbor, MI. The market proudly brings fresh produce, farm products, prepared food, beverages, and artisan items to the community all year. The 105-year-old market is producer-only, featuring 125 vendors from Michigan. The market is open every Saturday and Wednesday from May to December and every Saturday from January to April.
Due to the amount of traffic during market hours and limited street parking, the DDA would like to encourage visitors to park in the garage and walk or bike to the market. This wayfinding project aims to make the path toward the farmers market enjoyable, welcoming, and fun!
ELIGIBILITY
The City is seeking artists or artist teams who can commit to working in Ann Arbor as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this project. Any artist or artist team residing in the United States can apply.
TIMELINE
All dates except the submission deadline are approximate, subject to change, and are presented for guidance only.
- Call Submission Deadline: October 20, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Time
- 3 Semi-finalists Selected: mid-November, 2024
- Semi-finalists Proposals Due and Interviews coordinated: mid-December, 2024
- Finalist Awarded: February 2025
- Project Completion and Installation: Summer 2025
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Written Proposal Statement and Visual Support (i.e. sketch, photo, rendering, or other)
- CV/Resume
- 3 References
- Artist Bio
- 5-10 Past Work Images. Videos are permitted.
HOW TO APPLY:
FOR QUESTIONS:
This Call-for-Art is managed in collaboration with the Downtown Development Authority of Ann Arbor by the A2AC’s Art in Public Program. Please direct your questions to:
artinpublic@annarborartcenter.org or call 734-926-4122
PROJECT TWO
Farmers Market Sunshade
BUDGET:
$50,000
ELIGIBILITY:
Open to artists or artist teams residing in the United States of America
DEADLINE:
October 20 at 11:59pm
EST
OPPORTUNITY
The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) Elevate Program aims to fund public art and placemaking installations that enhance the downtown experience for all people. Reflective of this commitment to public art and the Elevate Program goals, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority is seeking to commission an artist or artist team to design and install a unique shade structure at the Farmers Market in Ann Arbor, MI. The DDA is open to proposals of different mediums, including fabric or rigid materials, and desires a work that is positive, balances shade and light for different times of the year, and involves color.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is in the Kerrytown neighborhood of downtown Ann Arbor, MI. The market proudly brings fresh produce, farm products, prepared food, beverages, and artisan items to the community all year. The market has been in its current location since 1930, after opening in 1919, next to the County Courthouse. The market’s roof was a WPA project completed in 1941. The 105-year-old market is producer-only, featuring 125 vendors from Michigan. The market is open every Saturday and Wednesday from May to December and every from Saturday from January to April.
The adjacent plaza was constructed in 2019 as part of a street reconstruction project. The neighborhood is home to Community High School and several other Ann Arbor attractions, including Zingerman’s Deli, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Kerrytown Concert House, the Ann Arbor Artisans’ Market, and more. In addition to the weekly Farmers Market, the neighborhood annually hosts Kindlefest and the African American Festival. The neighborhood is considered very family-friendly and walkable.
The site for the shade structure is on the east side of the Farmers Market at the intersection of Detroit Street and N 5th Avenue in the recently constructed plaza space. This area is equipped with new picnic tables and landscaping to make space for visitors and residents to socialize, enjoy the offerings of the market and businesses of Kerrytown, and take leisure. This public art project should create a comfortable space by providing shade and adding a creative, visual, and experiential component to the shared urban space.
Download Project Images and Site Plan
ELIGIBILITY
The DDA is seeking an artist or artist team who can commit to working remotely and in Ann Arbor as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this project. Any artist or artist team residing in the United States can apply.
TIMELINE
All dates except the submission deadline are approximate, subject to change, and are presented for guidance only.
- Call Submission Deadline: October 20, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Time
- 3 Semi-finalists Selected: mid-November, 2024
- Semi-finalists Proposals Due and Interviews coordinated: mid-December, 2024
- Finalist Awarded: February 2025
- Project Completion and Installation: Summer 2025
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Written Proposal Statement and Visual Support (i.e. sketch, photo, rendering, or other)
- CV/Resume
- 3 References
- Artist Bio
- 5-10 Past Work Images. Videos are permitted.
HOW TO APPLY
FOR QUESTIONS:
This Call-for-Art is managed in collaboration with the Downtown Development Authority of Ann Arbor by the A2AC’s Art in Public Program. Please direct your questions to:
artinpublic@annarborartcenter.org or call 734-926-4122