2024 Visual Arts Call for Artists

Deadline for submissions: Monday, March 18, 2024, 11:59 p.m.

The Art in the Loop Foundation (AILF) is in search of artists to bring their creativity to Downtown Kansas City for the 2024 Summer Public Art program (11th Annual).

Through a competitive, open-call process, AILF selects local artists to create temporary, site-specific work along and near the KC Streetcar route in Downtown Kansas City. Your artwork will be viewed by thousands of KC Streetcar riders and Downtowners daily! Selected artists will receive funds and project support to bring their big ideas alive for a 6-month outdoor program. 

2024 Theme/Prompt: Convivencia

This year’s theme is convivencia (Spanish: to coexist with others through practicing the way we share space and resources despite our differences. To be “at ease” with difference.)

Convivencia is a space between harmony and conflict. It expresses a shared life with others that is a constant practice, effort, negotiation, and joint achievement while recognizing friction or opposing energy. We recognize that artists and creatives are very familiar with navigating space, energy, and time amongst one another and within their communities. 

Throughout Downtown Kansas City and on board the KC Streetcar, we observe moments of Convivencia through the interactions of visitors, residents, workers, and commuters. 

This year we invite artists to share how they practice or observe convivencia. We challenge artists to explore moments that demonstrate the act of joint achievement and negotiation, whether that be in an abstract or a representational sense. 

We ask artists to consider the following prompts: Can we be at ease with difference? How do we share space with our community while balancing both harmony and conflict? How does this tension inform our work and practice? 

We are looking for artists to respond to this word, feeling and experience and to explore their vision of convivencia.

Eligibility, Requirements & Schedule:
Professional visual artists, or artist teams, art students, at least 18 years of age residing within 50 miles of Kansas City are eligible. Click here to learn more about the selection process, requirements, and schedule.

Art in the Loop Mission:
The mission of the Art in the Loop Foundation (AILF) is to contribute to the visual identity, enrichment, and revitalization of Downtown Kansas City, create new opportunities for artistic development, and expand public interaction with new art of excellence. AILF values an equitable, diverse, and inclusive art community.

To be considered, artists may submit a proposal for ANY of the FOUR following categories: 

Please review the details below. You may submit artwork for multiple categories; however, if you are selected, it will be for only one location.

• KC Streetcar Wrap 
• KC Streetcar Shelter (Within the Frame)
• KC Streetcar Shelter (Live Painting)
• KC Streetcar Sculpture + Shelter

To see examples of previous projects, please visit our website.

A. KC STREETCAR WRAP (Art Car)

Artists are invited to wrap one KC Streetcar vehicle with their artwork. If accepted you will be asked to provide a print-ready file at the appropriate dimensions. Click HERE for a downloadable pdf template and helpful tips to wrap the KC Streetcar. Please superimpose your idea on the streetcar digital file. This helps the selection committee see your artwork as you envision it on the streetcar.

One artist/artist team will be selected to wrap one streetcar.

The selected artist will be paid a fee of $2,500 to create the print-ready artwork. Art in the Loop will pay for printing, installing, and removing the artwork.

Click HERE for a downloadable pdf template and helpful tips on how to design a KC Streetcar.

B. KC STREETCAR SHELTER (Within the Frame)

Artists are invited to propose a 2-dimensional work to be displayed on a KC Streetcar Stop. Two artists/artist teams will be selected to install their works at a KC Streetcar Shelter. 

If accepted, you will be asked to provide a print-ready file at the appropriate dimensions. The display area dimensions are 61.25” x 166.75” for the larger streetcar stop shelters and 58.63” x 83.44” for the smaller streetcar stop shelters. The area for artwork on KC Streetcar shelters is on the back panel glass. The printed graphic may take an organic shape, or fit within the standard dimensions. Artwork does not need to take up the entire back-panel glass. The artwork is not to encroach on the blue frame.

We suggest considering the ambient light at the stops. Please note the artwork will be viewed from both sides of the shelter and should be visually interesting from either view. (Hint: check out previous artwork at KC Streetcar stops to get ideas HERE.)

Selected artists will be paid a fee of $1,000. Art in the Loop will pay for printing, installing and removing the artwork. Art in the Loop will also manage the installation process with the printing and installation company.

C. KC STREETCAR SHELTER (Live Painting)

One KC Streetcar stop will include a Live Painting installation. Artwork may be applied directly to the glass of the shelter. Artwork may also be installed in the area around a KC Streetcar stop; however, provisions must be made for accessibility and safety as well as permission granted by the KC Streetcar Authority and/or property owner. Additionally, all artwork must be able to be removed from the streetcar stop or adjacent area.

Proposals based in social practice and/or community engagement are encouraged. Social practice includes any artform that directly engages the community in collaboration and social interaction. Social practice works are often co-created with the public, with that collaborative aspect holding equal importance as the artwork itself. (Hint: check out previous artwork at KC Streetcar stops to get ideas HERE.)

Selected artists will be paid a fee of $1,500 (includes artist’s time, materials, installation, and removal costs).

D. KC STREETCAR SCULPTURE + SHELTER

One KC Streetcar stop will include a 3-dimensional installation/artwork. Artwork will be installed in the area around a KC Streetcar stop; however, provisions must be made for accessibility and safety as well as permission granted by the property owner. Additionally, all artwork must be able to be removed from the installation area and the streetcar stop. In addition to the Sculpture, we are asking artists to include an artwork or written artwork proposal for a KC Streetcar Shelter that amplifies their design and connects the audience with the artist and their artwork. (Hint: check out previous artwork at KC Streetcar stops to get ideas HERE.)

Selected artists will be paid a fee of $2,500 (includes artist’s time, materials, installation, and removal costs).

Deadline for application is March 18, 2024 Click here to apply 

Learn more at artintheloop.com

2024 ART IN THE LOOP APPLICATION GUIDELINES

DEADLINE: March 18 11:59 pm, CST

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY: 

Professional visual artists, or artist teams, art students, at least 18 years of age residing within 50 miles of Kansas City are eligible. Selection panelists and their immediate family members are not eligible for participation. Eligible artists with a strong interest in working in the public realm are invited to submit qualifications to be considered.

SELECTION PROCESS:

A selection panel (arts professionals, community representatives and business leaders) will review materials received from qualified artists in response to this call for concepts. The final selection of proposals will also be dictated by availability of funding and final property owner approval.  

ART IN THE LOOP ENVISIONS THE ART WILL (BE):

• Temporary (hours or few days) or semi-permanent (3-6 months)
• Surprising, unconventional, thoughtful and fun
• Engaging to the public and activating the environment
• Encourage community engagement and interaction
• Appropriate for all ages
• Not polemic or polarizing
• Does not depict the likeness of specific individuals within the public realm

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

Criteria will vary depending on skills required for project, but could include:

• Originality of concept and aesthetic strength of proposal
• Demonstration of experience in technique/materials to complete project
• Education, training, awards, fellowships, or other evidence of creative practice

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND DETAILS:

• The Artist must be willing to collaborate with property owners.
• Installation and removal will be scheduled with Art in the Loop.
• Selected artists will be asked to adhere to the requirements described below

IMPORTANT DATES:

• March 18, 2024 – Application deadline
• March – Selection Panel Meeting
• April – Artists notified of status in early April
• April – Sign Contracts in mid April
• May – Install Artworks in late May
• June 12, 2024  – Kick Off Event at Kansas City Public Library – Central
• July 17, 2024 – Art Car Reveal/Ride
• September  – Prepare and print catalog
• October 12, 2024  – Art Walk
• November 6, 2024 – Closing Reception at Kansas City Public Library – Central
• Nov 15-Nov 31  – Remove Artworks*

*Some artwork may remain in place longer at the discretion of the property owner.

ARTIST REQUIREMENTS FOR SELECTED ARTISTS 

• Descriptive material and photo for website – Artists will provide a brief written description of their work and provide a photo for the project website.
• PR and marketing materials – Artists will provide written material to assist in developing press releases, programs and other materials.
• Impact Statement – Artists will write a 500-word max statement about the impact of the project on their practice due no later than September 1.
• Kick-Off Event – Scheduled for June 12, 2024, from 5-7 pm. at the Kansas City Public Library Central Library. Artists are asked to attend.
• Artwalk – Scheduled for October 12, 2024, from 2 – 4 pm. Artists are asked to participate in the annual Artwalk and speak about their work. 
• Closing Reception – Scheduled for November 6, 2024, from 5 – 7 pm. Artists will attend and make a 2-minute presentation about their work for the project.
• Artwork Removal: Artists working in 3-D will be responsible for removing their artwork in coordination with Art in the Loop and adjacent property owners. Art in the Loop will remove 2-D vinyl artwork.

ART IN THE LOOP WILL PROVIDE:

• Web presence for each project on artintheloop.com
• Social media, PR, and other marketing
• Signage for each project
• Logistical support and coordination with property owners and partners
• Curatorial support
• Documentation of projects (still photography and video as available)
• Printed summary catalog of entire project

Contact Visual Art Director, Marissa Starke, marissastarke@gmail.com or Program Director, Ann Holliday, ann@downtownkc.org with any questions.