The City of Tacoma is launching two unique training programs: Public Art: In Depth (PA:ID) and the Tacoma Murals Project. Visual artists working in a diversity of artistic styles who have a desire to learn how to translate their current studio practice into the creation of public art, are invited to apply for either one or both of these programs. Both programs will culminate in the creation of public art projects.
I. Public Art: In Depth (PA:ID)
PA:ID is designed to provide Tacoma artists, who already have a serious studio practice and wish to learn how to develop artwork for the public realm, with the training and experience necessary to be competitive when applying for public art projects locally, regionally and nationally. The free training for the artists selected will include a combination of four day-long workshops over the course of four months, field trips, hands-on experience, mentorship and peer discussion sessions. Participating artists will have the opportunity to apply and compete for one or more of at least seven public art projects, funded by the City of Tacoma, Sound Transit and Metro Parks. Artists selected to complete a public art project will receive mentorship, guidance, and support from concept through dedication of the project. Artists may work in a variety of disciplines and may or may not have previous public art experience. The applicant must be a practicing visual artist, producing artwork on a regular basis, 18 years or older, and live within the Tacoma city limits. If selected, the applicant also must be able to commit to classroom training and completion of a public art project.
II. Tacoma Murals Project
The Tacoma Murals Project is designed to train adult artists, who already possess strong artistic skills, to adapt their skills and work with the community to design and implement high quality painted murals that are technically and aesthetically successful. The project includes a series of five classroom sessions followed by the design and implementation of several training murals in summer 2011. Those who graduate from the training program will have the potential to be selected to help design and paint community murals in summer 2012, designed to fight blight and combat vandalism in select neighborhoods in Tacoma. Artists will be expected to push the boundaries of their current artistic style and work collaboratively as a team member to develop murals which are truly reflective of the communities in which they are sited. Artists will invest approximately 40 hours into the classroom sessions and training murals. Training sessions are planned for a series of five Saturdays, May 21 to June 25, followed by the creation of several training murals in July. Training is provided at no cost to the selected artists. Artists who graduate and move on to participate in the community murals in 2012 will be paid at a rate of $12 per hour for their time creating those murals.
Applicants must be a practicing visual artist, 18 years or older, and residing in Pierce, Kitsap, Thurston or South King counties.
The deadline for application submissions for both PA:ID and Tacoma Murals Project is April 25, 2011. A complete prospectus for both programs is available for download at http://www.tacomaculture.org/arts/opportunities.asp . Information is also available by calling (253) 591-5191 or by emailing nstrom-avila@cityoftacoma.org .
