FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sculpture Walk Springfield and the City of Springfield are seeking the next round of sculptures for the Commercial Street Historic District. The application period is open through Jan. 6, 2023. Artists must be 18 years of age and older.
“The primary purpose of this exhibition on C-Street is to encourage the artistic transformation of Springfield through outdoor art and sculpture. This joint effort with the City of Springfield is to enhance our already thriving artistic and cultural community,” said Sculpture Walk Springfield Executive Director Avery McQueary.
Selected pieces will be on display April 2023-March 2024. Artists can submit two entries for consideration. All work submitted must be ready for display, made of strong materials and suitable for outdoor display. There are no size restrictions, and all work must be available for purchase. Selected artists will receive a $1,500 minimum stipend.
A committee comprised of artists, community leaders and select individuals will choose this year’s exhibition. McQueary can be reached at [email protected] to answer questions.
It is the intention of Sculpture Walk Springfield that all acceptances will be considered final, however, the City and/or Sculpture Walk program reserves the right to withhold from the exhibition any artwork that does not reflect the submission materials reviewed by the selection committee.
Sculptures chosen will be on loan to the program for one year and displayed to the public for 11 months. They will remain in the ownership of the artist. Insurance coverage will be provided for the program through the City of Springfield. Upon selection, artists will receive a packet including a loan agreement with the City of Springfield and will have 10 calendar days to respond. Once the entities receive the loan agreement from the selected artists, it will be understood to imply agreement on the part of the entrant, with all conditions set forth therein.
Sculpture Walk anticipates that notifications of acceptance will be sent by Jan. 17, 2023.
Sales of pieces displayed in the program are subject to a 30% commission to offset administrative costs to the program. Any prior arrangement between artists and a commercial art gallery or other representative shall be the sole responsibility of the artist and shall have no bearing on the artist’s agreement with Sculpture Walk Springfield.
In August 2021, City Council allocated Commercial Street Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues for public art on C-Street. This includes two annually rotating pieces and one to two site- specific permanent works to be commissioned and/or purchased in the future.
TIF funds cover the costs associated with the two rotating works, including construction of the concrete plinths to display the pieces, artists’ stipends for all pieces selected for display and the insurance premium to cover artwork in the public realm and maintenance as needed.
To submit a sculpture, please email the completed application with digital photos to [email protected] and designate "Commercial Street" in the subject line. Digital images should accurately represent the artwork entered. Artists can submit up to two pieces for consideration.
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For more information, please contact Avery McQueary at [email protected].