In the Studio

It’s always a conundrum trying to decide whether to apply for a public art call. Virtually all of the requests for qualifications (RFQ’s) require the artist to have experience with public art installations, or at the very least commissions that are of a similar monetary value. Considering most of these calls are for artwork installations with budgets starting around $50,000, that is easier said than done.

The catch-22: no experience means you’re not qualified, but you can't get the experience until you have won a commission.

What to do? Talk about your experiences in a related capacity, like managing a classroom full of kids, ordering supplies and inventory management, or even remodeling a house might work if you can figure out how to write about the trials and tribulations from a creative yet businesslike perspective.

In my case, I have a slight advantage because I have worked with large projects as an architect, but it is still a conundrum because technically, I still don’t qualify based on most RFQs minimum requirements. My first major installation, completed in 2010, the Middleton Courthouse and Police Station also had this requirement. And to this day I am grateful for my background in architecture and to the arts committee for looking at that architectural experience in helping make their decision in awarding the contract.

The Middleton commission was 4 large window groups, each with 8 panels ranging in size from 18 ½” x 18 ½” to 18 ½” x 50 ½" :: the Majestic Oak, the Stream, and the Prairie Path (interior and exterior), and the Woods.