Public Art Fund: In the Public Realm: Overview

About the Program
How it Happens
What to Submit
When and Where to Submit Materials

Deadline: February 1, 2008

About the Program

Now in its thirteenth year, In the Public Realm is an opportunity for artists living or working in New York State to create a temporary work in a public space. Up to ten artists will be selected by a distinguished panel of artists and curators and commissioned by the Public Art Fund to develop formal proposals for public art projects. From these proposals, the Public Art Fund will select three artists to realize a work in the coming year.

In the Public Realm is a program of the Public Art Fund designed to encourage innovative public art projects by emerging artists living and/or working in New York State. Artists selected through the program will make proposals, develop their work in relation to urban conditions, and ultimately present an artwork in the complex arena of public life in New York City. Artists are encouraged to investigate the physical, social, and environmental conditions of diverse neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs. Previous experience working in public spaces is not necessary for selection in this program.

Previous In the Public Realm artists include:
Alexander Brodsky, Jackie Chang, Chris Doyle, Gregory Green, Arnaldo Morales, Kirsten Mosher, Maria Elena González, Valeska Soares, Dan Witz, Ron Baron, Christine Hill, Tony Matelli, Paul Pfeiffer, Jocelyn Taylor, Olav Westphalen, Keith Edmier, Paul Ramirez Jonas, Jonah Freeman, Anissa Mack, Josiah McElheny, Sarah Sze, Isidro Blasco, Mark Handforth, Clara Williams, assume vivid astro focus, David Altmejd, Dave McKenzie, Ivan Witenstein, Jennifer Cohen, Alejandro Diaz, Corin Hewitt, Allison Smith, Nina Katchadourian and Beth Campbell.

How it Happens

PHASE ONE, Spring 2008: Artist Submissions
In Spring 2008, a selection panel of artists, and curators will select up to ten artists to develop formal proposals for a public art project. Artists will be selected on the basis of materials submitted (see What to Submit).

PHASE TWO, Spring 2008: Artist Proposals
Ten selected artists will each receive $1,000 to create a formal proposal. Investigating potential sites and communities in New York City for their proposed project, artists will develop working drawings, prepare a maquette, and present a budget.

PHASE THREE, Summer 2008: Commission Projects
In the summer of 2008, the selected artists will submit their proposals to the Public Art Fund. The Public Art Fund will choose up to three projects for realization. Artists selected to create projects will receive up to $15,000 towards fabrication and installation, based on the finalized project budget, and an artist fee of $2,500.

PHASE FOUR, 2009: In the Public Realm exhibitions
The selected projects will be exhibited in 2009. Projects may be exhibited for up to one year.

What to Submit

Submit your materials in a 10" x 13" envelope. Do not use staples on any application materials. All work must be submitted in one of the following three formats:

a) Six 35mm slides of recent and/or current work in a clear, plastic slide sheet. Each slide must be clearly numbered and labeled with your name, title, date, media, dimensions and the TOP must be indictated. Please include a slide description sheet with corresponding numbers. Larger format transparencies, photographs and drawings will not be considered.

b.) Six digital images saved to one CD. We will only accept JPG file formats. All JPG's must be sized at 250 dpi, 5" x 7". Number and title each JPG and include a description sheet with corresponding numbers. The sheet should list your name, and the dates, titles, media, and dimensions of your work. Please also include a labeled print-out of each JPG on standard 8.5 x 11" paper.

c.) MPEG-2 video(s) on DVD totaling no more than fifteen minutes in length. Video should be in standard DVD format (720 x 480 resolution NTSC) and each video on the DVD should be a single chapter. We will not view QuickTime files. Clearly mark the outside of the DVD with your name and title(s) of the work(s). Do not submit original work.

All submissions must also include the following:

1) Brief cover sheet, including your name and contact information, stating the format of your submission. Use one of the following descriptions: 35mm slides, CD, DVD, or VHS. We will only review one format per artist.

2) Current resume/bio, including name, address, telephone number, and email address.

3) A brief statement of interest (no more than 300 typewritten words). This should generally describe your work and will be used by the panel during the review. PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT A PROPOSAL.

4) A self-addressed stamped envelope large enough to return submitted materials containing the correct amount of postage (stamps only, no postage meter strips). Submissions without S.A.S.E. will not be returned.

When to submit

Materials must be received at the Public Art Fund's office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 1, 2008 (postmarks are not acceptable). Hand deliveries will be accepted. Artists will be notified by letter in May 2008. Please do not call before this date.

Please mail application materials to:

Public Art Fund
In the Public Realm
One East 53rd Street, 12th Floor
New York, New York 10022

If you have any questions please call the Public Art Fund at (212) 980-4575.

In the Public Realm is supported in part by public funds from National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts, A State Agency; and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

The fine print: While every effort will be made to ensure the safe handling of all submitted materials, the Public Art Fund cannot be responsible for any loss or damage. It is at the panel's sole discretion to make the final decision of selection, and the panel is under no obligation to select from the materials submitted. Beyond formal notification, the Public Art Fund will not enter into any correspondence regarding the decision of the panel.