Call to Artists - 2020 Artist Pool

Deadline (Extended)

Online submittal must be completed via SlideRoom by 11:59 p.m. (PST) on December 9, 2019 December 23, 2019.

Interested artists are encouraged to learn more about Metro art opportunities and the 2020 Artist Pool through our:

Open House Events

Metro's art program commissions artists to create artworks that improve the transit customer experience and contribute to the artistic vibrancy of the communities we serve. 

Artist Opportunities

• The Artist Pool will be one of the primary methods for inviting artists to apply for future Metro art opportunities.
• Opportunities include artwork integration within the built environment and short term exhibitions in media such as  lightboxes, posters and construction phase banners.
• Inclusion in the Artist Pool does not guarantee a commission. 

Eligibility

• Professional artists working in two- and three-dimensional media at all career stages that are interested in creating art for the public realm.  Prior public art experience is not a requirement.
• Artists who are legally authorized to work in the United States (per U.S. Department of Labor).
• Metro employees and contractors are not eligible.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation criteria will vary depending on skills required for future opportunities, but could include the following:

Artistic Merit as evidenced by submitted digital images:

• Originality of concept and aesthetic strength of artist’s body of work
• Mastery of techniques and materials

Professional Recognition as evidenced by submitted statements and resume:

• Education and training as an artist
• Exhibition record in museums, art galleries, non-profit or alternative art spaces
• Public or private art commissions
• Awards, fellowships, artist-in-residencies, acclaimed critical response or other acknowledgements demonstrating professional practice

Submission Process

Information and support materials must be submitted through Slideroom.com which includes up to 10 digital files of their artwork, a professional resume and an artist statement.

• Applicants can receive technical support for submissions by emailing support@slideroom.com or by accessing the online help desk: https://support.slideroom.com/
• Allow adequate time to familiarize yourself with the SlideRoom submittal process and to receive any needed technical support.
• Information submitted by mail, email, fax, hand-delivery or after the deadline will not be considered.
• Incomplete submittals will not be evaluated.
• Artists who do not meet the eligibility requirements will not be evaluated.

Submitted Q&A's

• Questions related to the Artist Pool can be submitted via email to ArtistOpportunities@metro.net through 5:00 p.m. (PST) on December 4, 2019 December 18, 2019.
• Questions will be answered in the order received and responses will be posted by December 6, 2019
  

  Q&A (in order received)

  • Can I submit images of project studies for work in progress?
    Please submit media files of completed work. Uploaded media images must demonstrate proficiency and demonstrated experience working in the mediums selected in question 3 of the form.
  • Are photo collages acceptable in order to show different views of a piece?
    Photo collages are discouraged as it can be difficult to visually understand important details in your work if multiple images are included on a single page.
  • For question 3 in the form, what is "social practice/participatory art" and how do I know if my art practice consists of this medium?
    "Social practice/participatory art" is an art practice where public engagement is the primary component that inspires, drives, or is the artwork itself. If you select "social practice/participatory art" as your medium, then the portfolio media files that you upload for your submission must show demonstrated experience of working with communities in relation to a completed artwork.
  • One of the 2D category artwork options for question 3 in the form is "data visualization"—what is "data visualization" and how do I know if my art practice consists of this medium?
    Data visualization involves the graphic/visual representation of data. If you select "data visualization" as your medium, then uploaded portfolio media files in your submission must demonstrate graphic/visual representation of data.
  • Will there be opportunities for social practice/performative based artwork?
    Yes.
  • Who provides the funding for the art installations?
    One half of one percent (0.5%) of construction costs is allocated for artwork sites.
  • What is the anticipated budget and scale for the various projects?
    Art Program budget and scale vary depending on overall project scope and budgets.
  • What information is required at this time for professional references?
    Include a current email address, phone number, address, professional title and relationship information for each professional reference listed. Each professional reference must be qualified to testify to your artistic capabilities and accomplishments.
  • What kind of information are you requesting for the Artist Statement? Are you asking for a narrative bio or are you interested in a statement about the artist's conceptual/material practice?
    The Artist Statement should summarize the artist's relevant professional experience and describe the artist's conceptual/material practice.
  • How many years of relevant experience and exhibition history should I include in my resume?
    Please include sufficient relevant experience and exhibition history to demonstrate your professional experience as an artist. The recommended length for the resume is no more than three pages in PDF format.
  • Is there a recommended font size and type for the CV / artist resume?
    Please use a font size and type that is easily legible. Kindly refrain from using font size smaller than 10.
  • Does Metro buy or license artwork from artists? If so, can I enter the sale price of my artwork in the "Budget" field on the Slideroom form for my portfolio images?
    Metro generally commissions new and unique artworks designed specifically for the Metro system. On occasion we have paid artists usage fees- e.g. license of existing artworks for photographic reproduction for temporary exhibition in lightboxes. Budget fields should state either commissioned, sold or licensed dollar amounts.
  • I am a photographer. What should I enter in the "Dimensions" field for each of my photographs on the Slideroom form?
    Please indicate the largest printed dimension for this field in Slideroom.
  • Will I be able to update my information and portfolio images in Slideroom after I submit my materials?
    No, applicants will not be able to update their submittals while the Pool is active.
  • What are the allowable movie file formats?
    Allowable movie file formats are .mov, .mp4 and .wmv.
  • Can we apply as a partnership/collective?
    Yes, artists can apply as a partnership/collective. The partnership/collective can make only one submittal for the artists in the partnership/collective. The submittal must demonstrate a track record of collaboration between all artists identified in the partnership/collective. Images submitted should represent completed work of the partnership/collaborative (not the work of individual artists in the collaborative).
  • If I'd like to show various angles and installations of an artwork, would these additional images have to be separate jpeg files or a combined pdf file?
    Each JPEG file will count toward the 10 media file allotment. Each page of a submitted PDF file will count as one media file toward the 10 media file allotment.
  • For question 4.2. on the SlideRoom form, how detailed should I be in my description about my connection to neighborhoods in LA County? And how many neighborhoods should I select?
    Please tailor your description to describe the kinds of meaningful connections you have to neighborhoods in LA County. This description cannot exceed 1800 characters/approximately 250 words. Please select as many neighborhoods as applicable.
  • How do I know if I qualify as a professional artist?
    A professional artist will have a demonstrated exhibition history and/or other documented professional experience as a visual artist.
  • Are there dimension restrictions on images?
    No, there are no dimension restrictions as long as the file size does not exceed 5 MB.
  • Is it OK for me to include budget ranges for future commissions in the "Budget" field for my artwork portfolio images?
    Please only provide information in the "Budget" field for completed commissions. Please enter "N/A" if this does not apply.
  • Can artists who have been commissioned for a project with Metro be considered for other projects and/or multiple projects with Metro? Or is only one station commission allowed per artist?
    Artists who are selected to create architecturally integrated artwork for a station or facility are eligible for artwork opportunities of a similar scope and scale three years following the successful completion of the initial artwork in order to allow opportunities for other artists.
  • Do artists need to live in the LA area to submit materials for the Artist Pool?
    No, artists do not need to live in the LA area to submit materials for the Artist Pool. The Artist Pool is open to all artists legally authorized to work in the United States.
  • Does the subject matter for portfolio images for the Artist Pool submission process need to be related to anything particular?
    Your portfolio images should display your best work and be able to most appropriately describe your artistic practice and experience as a professional artist.
  • Are artists who are selected for opportunities freelance workers?
    Artists who are selected for art opportunities will receive contract awards.
  • Do artists who were selected for the previous Prequalified Artist Pool a few years ago need to submit materials for the 2020 Artist Pool Call to Artists to be eligible for art opportunities?
    Yes.
  • Are Metro employees or contractors for Metro eligible for the Artist Pool?
    No, Metro employees and contractors for Metro are not eligible for the Artist Pool.
  • Can you please clarify what information needs to be included for the "Media Label" for each media file that we upload?
    For "Title," please enter the title of the artwork in the uploaded file. For "Date (month/year)," please include the month and year that the artwork was completed. For "Location," please include information of where the artwork is located if the artwork was commissioned by a third party. Please enter "N/A" if this field does not apply. For "Presenting Organization and Point of Contact (name)," please enter the name of the organization or entity and the name of the point of contact at the organization or entity if the artwork was commissioned by a third party. Please enter "N/A" if this field does not apply. For "Budget," please include the budget for the artwork if the artwork was commissioned by a third party. The budget amount should include in-kind funding if funds were donated to complete the artwork. Please enter "N/A" if this field does not apply. For "Medium," please enter the medium of the artwork. For "Dimensions," please enter the approximate dimensions of the artwork. For "Additional details," you may provide a brief description of the artwork.
  • I didn't get accepted into the Prequalified Artist Pool a few years ago when I applied. What can I do this time to make my application for the 2020 Artist Pool more competitive?
    Any artist who successfully completes the online submission process will be included in the 2020 Artist Pool and considered for future art opportunities.
  • Do I need public art experience to be eligible for future art opportunities with Metro?
    Prior public art experience is not a requirement.
  • How many opportunities might come out of this pool?
    We will refer to this artist pool to match artists with a number of opportunities over the next few years.
  • I do not live in the United States. Am I eligible for the Artist Pool?
    Eligibility includes artists legally authorized to work in the United States (per U.S. Department of Labor).
    
  • Is it possible to submit existing work as jpg files for the open call?
    Yes, guidelines and instructions for uploading images are provided in Slideroom.
  • Is there an admission fee to submit materials to the open call?
    There is no admission fee.
  • Can I still apply if I do not see my art medium listed on Question 3.1?
    Please select an option from the choices provided that best matches your medium. You can elaborate on your artistic medium and practice through your uploaded artist statement and portfolio images.
  • When will I receive a confirmation after submitting my application?
    Once you have successfully submitted your application online through Slideroom, you will be presented with a confirmation screen, and Slideroom will send you a confirmation email. You can receive technical support for submissions by emailing support@slideroom.comor by accessing the online help desk: https://support.slideroom.com/
  • What size should my media files be?
    Images (.jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .tif, .tiff, .bmp, .tga) must be under 5 MB in size; video must be less than 250 MB in size; audio files must be less than 30 MB in size; and your documents must be less than 10 MB (unless otherwise stated on the Portfolio step) in size.

Review Process

• Information and materials submitted in response to the RFQ will be evaluated by a Curatorial Advisory Committee comprised of high profile nationally recognized arts professionals.
• Candidates in the Artist Pool will be notified if short-listed to develop a proposal for a specific opportunity.
• When short-listed, artists will be provided relevant project information and a stipend to present proposals for evaluation by a community-based peer review panel.

About Metro Art

For more information about the Metro Art program, projects in the works, tours, events, publications and artist opportunities:

• metro.net/art
• Instagram.com/metro.art.la
• facebook.com/metroartla