Call for Three-Dimensional Artists

Do you create ceramics, jewelry, hats, glass, artist-made-books, dolls, teapots, textiles or folk art? Are you a potter, a woodworker, a beadworker, or other small scale, three-dimensional artist? Would you like to display your artwork amongst other fine artists at the Department of Administration/Wisconsin Arts Board exhibit space?

Since August 1992, the WI Department of Administration (DOA), in cooperation with the Wisconsin Arts Board, has been providing an opportunity for Wisconsin artists to showcase their work in the DOA/WI Arts Board Lobby Exhibit Space, located at 101 E. Wilson Street in Madison, WI.

The lobby space was specifically designed to showcase the work of WI artists. Individuals doing business with the State, from Wisconsin, the region, the nation, as well as from overseas, constitute a substantial amount of traffic through this space.

Ample wall space and spacious display cases have accommodated group and individual shows from throughout the state. Respondents to this call for artists may also be referred to the Lieutenant Governor’s staff for display in that office.

This fall, a call to artists resulted in applications for the wall space exhibition areas. The Arts Board is looking for additional three-dimensional work to fill the display cases and floor space in 2007-2008. Each show will be approximately two months in duration. If you work in small scale fine arts/craft, please consider submitting a proposal for consideration.

The Spaces Available

There are four display cases available, each measuring 5'5" wide x 4'9" high x 14" deep.
Each display case has 1-2 height-adjustable glass shelves that can be used at the artist’s discretion. Artists may also pin/tack items to the upholstered back wall/backdrop of the case. The cases are pictured here (photo left), filled with the Iroquois Raised Beadwork by Oneida Artist Karen Ann Hoffman.

In addition, there are two floor spaces in the entryway to the building. These can be roped off to prevent the public from touching the artwork. These spaces measure 5'6" deep x 10' wide.

Proposal Requirements

Proposals should be emailed to erin.mclennon@wisconsin.gov by Friday, April 13, 2007. All written materials should be submitted as MS Word, PDF, or another program compatible with MS Office. Only complete applications will be considered, which need to include the following:

A letter of interest, no more than one page in length describing the content and creative process of the submitted artwork. In addition, group proposals must indicate theme for exhibit and a list of participating artists.
A brief current resume, limit of three pages.
Digital image inventory list, including title, dimensions, primary material, year, location (for permanent installations), and value of each work. This form can be found here: lobby_imagelist.doc. This also serves as the official application form.
A completed availability form, including your availability for each of the time periods, and the spaces you would like to fill with your artwork. The form can be found here: lobby_availabilityform.doc.
Work sample. Please include 10 images (for individual proposals) or no more than 25 images (for group proposals).

Specifications:

Digital images must be high quality JPEGs saved in PC file format (use quality setting of 90% or better).

Images will be in proper orientation for viewing (upright on monitor).

Image size should be no larger than 768 pixels along the longest dimension (200-450 KB).

File names should be in the following format:
last name_number_title.jpg, EXAMPLE: smith_01_self portrait.jpg

It is understood that the slides or digital images might not be of the pieces to be included in the exhibit, but it should also be understood that slides or digital images of the actual pieces to be included in any exhibit must be received 45 days prior to installation for review and approval by the Wisconsin Arts Board and the Department of Administration.

Contacts and Deadline

If you have questions, please contact Erin McLennon at 608/261-0345 or erin.mclennon@wisconsin.gov. Please email your entire completed application/ materials the same address by Friday, April 13, 2007.

Contact: Erin McLennon, 608/261-0345
Updated: September 19, 2007