FAQ
Why is Creative Time doing this? Because we believe that artists should be supported to dream without bounds, and New York City should be a site for unexpected, wondrous, and resonant art in the public sphere. It’s really that simple.
Who can apply? Any practicing artist or artist collective, at any point in their career, residing in all 50 states, the sovereign tribal nations within US borders, and territories including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are eligible to apply if they have not yet received major financial or institutional support for a public art commission.
In addition, eligible artists:
— Must be at least 18 years
— Cannot currently be enrolled in a degree-granting program or school
How do I apply? Click here to apply through Submittable. Due to the volume of interest, applications will only be accepted electronically using this online application portal. We recommend that all application materials, including images and video links, be submitted at least 48 hours in advance of the May 22, 2022 deadline. We will not accept late emailed or mailed applications.
What do I submit? Propose an idea for a public art project and tell us all about it. What is it? Who is it for? Where is it and why is that site relevant? Why is it yours to make? Why now? Why is it a risk worth taking? There are few constraints for the format of your proposal, it’s most important that it effectively communicates your idea and your position in expressing it.
Where should the project take place? The project will take place on land of the Munsee Lenape, Canarsie, Lekawe (Rockaway), and Wappinger, or so-called New York City. Propose a project for any site—land, water, or sky—within the city’s five boroughs. It’s okay if you don’t know where exactly the project should take place, just tell us how the project must contend with or reveal its site and how you are considering the site specifically.
What’s the process? The application is live until the deadline on May 22, 2022 at 11:59 PM. All applications will be thoughtfully reviewed by representative Creative Time staff and ten proposals will be chosen for the selection committee to review. These finalists will be invited to meet with the selection committee and Creative Time staff virtually or in person to discuss their project in more detail. The selected artist will be announced in July and should be available to begin working with Creative Time this summer.
While we are only able to select one project, we are excited to broaden the community of artists in our orbit. If we do not select your application, we may still be in touch regarding future opportunities.
The project is scheduled to open in Summer 2023.
Who is on the selection committee? This year’s selection committee consists of (in formation):
Kendal Henry, Assistant Commissioner of Public Art, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
Duke Riley, Creative Time artist
Kamala Sankaram, 2021 Creative Time Open Call artist
Nico Wheadon, Independent Curator, Educator, and Writer
Learn more about the selection committee.
What is Creative Time’s criteria? We are compelled by ideas that have a clear point of view, a nuanced consideration of site and land, a sensibility towards the public(s), and an audacious spirit.
What is the artist fee for the selected artist? The artist fee for the Open Call commission is $10,000. This is a direct payment to the artist. The production budget is separate from this fee and will be managed by Creative Time.
Why do you ask demographic questions on the application? We celebrate a complexity and diversity of experiences, identities, and backgrounds. We are interested in understanding our candidate pool with the full awareness of the persistent limitations of the art world. Who are we reaching? Who are we not reaching? How can this inform our future practices? Your application will not be judged based on your identity markers. We will assess the information provided on your past work and project proposal.
Still have questions? Please email opencall@creativetime.org. We cannot guarantee a response to application inquiries or tech-related issues sent after 12:00 PM EST on Friday, May 20, 2022.
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