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ARTIST PROPOSAL APPLICATION

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has expanded the program to support and invest in all forms of exterior public art. The Downtown Public Art Program announces a theme, annually, that inspires the creation of artists to submit proposals that reflect a yearly theme. 

The art and location are selected by an advisory committee in efforts to curate a diverse set of styles, artists and locations. The selection is presented to the DDA Board of Directors for final approval.

Please, complete this application to submit artwork or a detailed concept to be considered as part of the Public Art Program in Downtown Ferndale. 

A brief overview is included below, but we encourage interested artists to read the manual and visit the website by visiting this link: https://downtownferndale.com/publicart/ 

  • Submission should reflect the annual theme. Theme for 2024 is "Ferndale in Bloom"
  • Art collaboratives or youth groups are welcome!
  • All submissions must include a budget proposal. (Further details included in Public Art Program Manual)
  • The program focuses on creating a unique, interactive, beautiful and creative experience for all those who work, play and visit Downtown Ferndale.
  • The advisory committee shall seek work from artists of diverse racial, gender and cultural identities.
  • Artists do not need to reside in the City of Ferndale, but some preference may be given to local artists.

Deadline for submission is: Midnight on July 22, 2024 

Questions? Ideas? Want to get involved? 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this submission with us, please contact the DDA staff at 248-546-1632 or by email at sommer@downtownferndale.com. 

APPLICATION REQUESTS:
 
• ARTIST INTRODUCTION: A section that requests details about the artist(s) with an opportunity to upload or write in an artist biography.
 
• SCOPE OF WORK: An artist statement including description of the proposed artwork that includes materials, overall time required to complete project, proposed budget, and an explanation of maintenance requirements.
 
• LETTER OF INTEREST: A section that requests a description that gives deeper insight into the work through the artist(s) perspective of the concept submitted and how the proposed work fits within the annual theme and selection criteria.
 
• CONCEPT: A space to upload images/renderings of the proposed artwork with a section that requests the minimum and maximum size of the proposed artwork that is preferred by the artist(s).
 
• ARTIST EXPERIENCE: In this unrequired area, the artist can include information on previous public art installations. You do not need experience to submit this application!
 
 •  ARTIST IDENTITY: Optional section where you can respond to demographic questions (race, gender, sexual identity).
ART CRITERIA:

Factors to be considered by the Downtown Ferndale Mural Program Advisory Committee when making selections for artwork shall include, but not be limited to the following:

• ARTISTIC QUALITY: The artist(s) proposal includes a concept, vision and examples of craftsmanship in relation to the annual theme. Exploratory types of work as well as established art forms shall be encouraged.

• LOCATION: The proposed concept and site suggestion are appropriate in scale, materials, form, and content for the immediate, general, social, and physical environments with which they are to relate. 

• DIVERSITY: The advisory committee shall seek concepts from artists of diverse racial, gender, and cultural identities. The program also shall strive for diversity to style, scale, media, and numbers of artists represented.

• FEASIBILITY: Proposals shall be evaluated relative to their feasibility and convincing evidence of the artist’s ability to successfully complete the concept as proposed. Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, project, timeline, artist’s experience, and represent qualifications associated to the theme.

• DUPLICATION: Artists are required to warrant that artwork is their own original, unique design and an edition of one or part of a limited edition, and to warrant artwork is not infringing on copyrighted materials. Logos, advertisements, or any kind of commercial signage will not be accepted.

• PERMANENCE: Use of high quality materials that will last a minimum of five years, and are resistant to weather and ultraviolet deterioration.

2024 THEME SELECTION CRITERIA

Factors to be considered by the Downtown Ferndale Public Art Program Advisory Committee when making selections shall include, but not be limited to the following when considering the annual theme:

  • ARTIST INSPIRATION: Artist should explain how the proposed design was inspired by the Downtown Ferndale inclusivity theme: “Ferndale in Bloom”
     
  • COMMUNICATION OF THEME TO PUBLIC: How well does the design communicate the artist’s inspiration and the theme “Ferndale in Bloom” to the viewer. Does the design inspire celebration and send a message that everyone is welcome in Downtown Ferndale?
     
  • INTERACTIVE COMPONENT: Interactive components are encouraged whenever feasible.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Is the person filling out this application the artist who created the proposed work of art?

Artist Primary Residence:

ARTIST INTRODUCTION:

In this section, let us know a little bit about the artist and their experiences in creating artistic experiences. If this is a collaborative submission, the lead artist should complete this section and list names of all collaborators.

Upload Artist Biography

Is this a collaborative submission?

Check ALL that apply to the Artist(s) included in this submission.

SCOPE OF WORK:

In this section, please provide an artist statement pertaining to the concept submitted.  Including a description of the artwork, materials used, overall time required to complete project, itemized budget proposal, an explanation of maintenance requirements and the size parameters for concept submitted.

ARTIST STATEMENT

(Maximum of 200 words that will help the committee understand the inspiration and purpose of the proposed mural concept.) If you have already uploaded an Artist Statement please leave this blank.

Artist Statement Upload

In the event of graffiti or damage, are you willing to repair the artwork?

How much time is needed to complete the work of art?

BUDGET

Please, provide an itemized budget proposal for the art work submitted in this section. Artist(s) please think about how your project fits into this and what your budget might be in association to your submission. A preliminary budget should include: art fee (what is paid to the artist to cover their labor and artwork), materials, installation (anything you need for install, like a lift), insurance and anything else you think you might need for this project. If you need help, we are available to help you determine the projected budget. 

Upload an itemized Budget Proposal

LETTER OF INTEREST:

In this section, provide a description of the concept submitted that gives deeper insight into the work through the artist’s perspective of how the proposed work fits within the annual theme and meets the selection criteria outlined for the program.

2024 Theme is “Ferndale in Bloom”

Ferndale continuously encourages individuals and businesses to bloom into a vibrant, beautiful and distinct community. Downtown Ferndale is a community that is welcoming of all, it is ever growing and changing, similar plants and flowers bloom and flourish. 

Blooming in Downtown Ferndale can mean different things to different people. We encourage artists to search for inspiration in the theme in whatever way it speaks to them. 

Letter of interest upload

CONCEPT:

In this section, the images/rendering(s) of the proposed mural concept are uploaded.

By checking this box, you are confirming that the concept submitted was created by the artist named in this application and is not a replica or copy.

Does this concept have any notable significance to the community or milestone events from the community’s past?

Is this the first time this concept has been submitted for placement in Ferndale, MI or another surrounding Community?

Please upload a maximum of three (3) images of the proposed mural concept. Images may be sketches or digitally created.

ARTIST EXPERIENCE:

In this section, provide examples of past work, including up to three digital images and or links to examples of relevant work. Please include the title, date, dimensions, and location of the work installed outdoors. This information is not required.

Example One:

Address

Is this example still available to see in person?

Example Two:

Address

Is this example still available to see in person?

Example Three:

Address

Is this example still available to see in person?

ARTIST IDENTITY AND DEMOGRAPHICS

(This information is not required. Information provided will be considered after selections are made to ensure that a variety of artists are represented with the goal of amplifying an inclusive and diverse range of creative voices.)

ARTIST GENDER IDENTITY

This information is not required.

Please select ALL that apply. *IF this is a collaborative submission, please include all that apply within the collaborative.

ARTIST RACIAL DEMOGRAPHICS:

(This information is not required. Detail on each category can be found HERE.)

Please select ALL that apply. *IF this is a collaborative submission, please include all that apply within the collaborative.

ARTIST SEXUAL IDENTITY:

(This information is not required. Information provided will be used to ensure that a wide variety of artists are selected with the goal of amplifying an inclusive and diverse range of creative voices.)

Select ALL that apply. *IF this is a collaborative submission, please include all that apply within the collaborative.

This application is required to be considered for the program.


If you have any questions or would like to discuss this submission with us, please contact Sommer Realy at 248-546-1632 or by email at sommer@downtownferndale.com.