Request for Proposals: Reclaimed Public Art Projects (Due Jan. 25)
Request for Proposals: Reclaimed Public Art Projects
Deadline: January 25th, 2025
Background: Arts + Education at the Hoyt is a regional arts center and museum located in the North Hill Historic District of New Castle, PA. Our mission “to expand and enrich the life of the community through participation in the arts” is pursued through a year round schedule of on and off-site exhibits, classes, school and after-school programs, cultural events and outreach activities, including a public art program. Housed in the neighboring estates of the late siblings May Emma Hoyt and Alex Crawford Hoyt, the historic 1917 facilities now house galleries, classrooms, studios, and a Period House.
Introduction: As Arts + Education at the Hoyt prepares for the upcoming exhibit Reclaimed: The Art of Recology, March 6-May 17, 2025, the Hoyt is seeking proposals from regional artists of all experience levels to create temporary works of public art in target communities using reclaimed materials. Target communities selected to receive these temporary works include the City of New Castle, Ellwood City, and New Wilmington in Lawrence County, PA. All proposals must include a minimum of 50% reclaimed materials and be consistent with the theme.
Theme: The theme is “Reclamation and Rebirth”, reflecting the ideas behind the exhibition Reclaimed: The Art of Recology. The exhibition presents a survey of 33 artists who participated in a unique Artist-in-Residence program at Recology, a zero-waste management facility in California . This eclectic collection created from unwanted materials encourages viewers to perceive “trash” in a new light. To this extent, the application should include a short one paragraph description of the proposed artwork accompanied by a one paragraph description of the artist(s) and their interest in submitting a proposal. Please describe the materials to be used and include 1-3 sketches with the anticipated dimensions of the finished work. Up to 10 work samples and the resume of the artist and/or lead applicant is requested. The samples do not need to be of public works or reclaimed artwork, but should indicate the applicant’s overall artistic ability.
Location: Applicants must identify the proposed location for the artwork, include 1-3 photos of the site, and secure consent from the property owner or authorized party using the provided consent form. High traffic public spaces are preferred – such as libraries, municipal buildings, parking lots or garages, parks, K-12 schools, colleges/universities, shopping malls, etc. Please include the address of the location in the proposal.
Eligibility: Applications will be accepted from individuals and groups of all experience levels. This includes school groups and emergent and professional artists.
Awards: Up to six proposals in the amount of $500 each will be awarded to cover materials and installation once the temporary artwork has been installed. A guide of awarded sites will be printed for public distribution during the run of the exhibition; individual projects promoted on social media; and awardees recognized at a public reception, date tbd.
Installation/Deinstallation: The artist(s) are solely responsible for creating and installing the artwork on site by March 1, 2025. Please take into consideration the potentially unsecured nature of the site and any exposure to natural elements or traffic to ensure that the construction is durable. Upon completion, the Hoyt will provide and install a panel identifying the artist(s), title, and description with a QR code that links to information on the Reclaimed: Art of Recology exhibit at the Hoyt. If the artist(s) would like the work returned, he/she must deinstall at their own expense before May 30, 2025. If the artist does not request return of the work, or does not remove it from the property by May 30, 2025, the Hoyt will remove and dispose of it on May 31, 2025.
Selection Criteria: Our advisory committee – composed of artists, staff and arts professionals – will review applications January 30, 2025. Awards will be announced on January 31, 2025. Applications will be evaluated on the concept, design, proposed location, submitted work samples, and the artist’s use of reclaimed materials.