The 2020 Call for Artists deadline was February 17,2020. The application period is now closed. Thank you.
2020 ART IN THE LOOP PROJECT: Call for Artists
The Art in the Loop Foundation (AILF) is in search of artists (visual and performing) to bring their creativity to Downtown Kansas City for a 2020 Summer Public Art program (7th Annual).
Through a competitive, open call process, AILF selects local artists to create temporary, site-specific work along 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 5-month outdoor program.
Art in the Loop’s mission is to provide opportunities for local artists to gain experience in creating and performing public art. We aim to infuse the heart of Downtown Kansas City with innovative and engaging art for a Downtown KC audience of employees, residents and visitors.
To be considered, artists should submit a proposal for ONE of the THREE following categories:
A. KC Streetcar Stop Call
B. Open Call Along the KC Streetcar Route
C. Wrap a Streetcar +Big Idea Call
a. KC Streetcar Stop Call
- Artists are invited to propose a 2-dimensional work to be displayed on KC Streetcar Stops that aligns with our goal of “infusing the heart of Downtown KC with innovative and engaging art.”
- 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 7/16” for the smaller streetcar stop shelters. Artwork may either be printed with transparent or opaque. If opaque, artwork must allow for a 6 inch clear border around the entire artwork.
- Selected artists will receive be paid a fee of $750. Art in the Loop will pay for printing, installing and removing the artwork.
- Click on the images above and then enlarge to view artists’ names. Views of original artwork and some concepts are also provided. Click here to view catalogs of works from previous years.
b. Open Call Along the KC Streetcar Route
- Call to all artists and performers, for any idea, any media, anywhere along the KC Streetcar route.
- This call is specifically vague in order to grant artists more freedom and fewer limits as they imagine possibilities for expressing their creativity.
- Open to all ARTISTS: Visual artists, Sculptors, Dancers, Poets, Choreographers, Videographers, Fashion Designers, Performance Artists, Digital Artists, etc.
- Open to all TYPES & MEDIA: 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, interactive, performance, events, multi-media.
- Open to all LOCATIONS along Main Street on the KC Streetcar route: For example, KC Streetcar interior (2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, installation, interactive and performance), Streetcar stops, Smart City Digital Kiosks located at streetcar stops (Video, interactive and digital work may be displayed on SmartCity kiosks along the KC Streetcar route.), sidewalks, in-between spaces, walkways, storefronts, planters, buildings, etc, along the KC Streetcar route.
- Proposal must include budget outlining costs to create, install and remove your work. The maximum budget is $5,000, including artist’s fee.
- Click on the images above and enlarge to view artists’ names. Views of original artwork and some concepts are provided.
- Looking for more inspiration? Click here to view the Art in the Loop Vision Plan or click here to view catalogs of works from previous years.
c. Wrap a KC Streetcar + Big Idea Call
- Call to all artists who are interested in wrapping a KC Streetcar vehicle with their artwork and engaging our Downtown audience.
- Art in the Loop, KC Streetcar and our partners are looking for a multifaceted public art project
- The centerpiece of the project will be the artist’s plan to wrap the KC Streetcar with artwork. In addition, the project proposal should include elements that expand the project’s theme, community reach and impact. Broadening your project concept (ie. your Big Idea) could include multiple components for community engagement such as:
- unique programming
- additional sites
- educational information
- partnering with local non-profits or businesses
- collaborating with other artists
- creating opportunities for unique/unexpected interactions
- social media plan
- outreach to new/diverse audiences
- interactive elements
- coordinating performances or a special event
- Your BIG IDEA is not limited to these suggestions.
- BIG IDEA example: in 2019 artists Christina Bereolos and Amanda Gehin wrapped the KC Streetcar to create “Macrocosmos Caterpillar: Monarch Streetcar”. The wrapped streetcar looked like a caterpillar, a project designed to highlight Monarch conservation issues. Their “BIG IDEA” was to add planters with native plants along Main street to feed and support Monarchs in their migration path. Thanks to a partnership with River Market & Downtown Community Improvement Districts, the Lepidopteran Art Group, and with donations from Green Thumb Gardens, City Roots and the Missouri Department of Conservation, planters along the streetcar line were transformed into microhabitats. The artists also organized a corresponding exhibit entitled “Caterpillar Waystation/Herbivory Labyrinth” at a gallery in the Crossroads Arts District during the month of July.
- Proposal must include budget outlining costs to create, install and remove your work. Maximum budget of $5,000, including artist fee. (This does not include the cost of wrapping the streetcar; Art in the Loop will cover the cost of wrapping the streetcar.)
- Click on the images above and enlarge to view artists’ names. Views of original artwork and some concepts are provided.
- Click here to view catalogs of works from previous years.