Request for Proposals - 2023 Governor’s Arts Awards
The Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, is seeking artists or artist teams to submit proposals for the creation of five original plaques or sculptures for the 2023 Governor’s Arts Awards. The Governor’s Arts Awards recognize Iowa artists, individuals, nonprofits, arts service organizations, volunteers, communities and others that have made a significant impact on the vitality of the arts in the state. The Iowa Arts Council will present the awards in spring 2023.
Timeline
Request for Proposals Opens: November 10, 2022
Submission Deadline: December 4, 2022
Selection Notification: December 12, 2022
Creation Period: December 13, 2022 - January 31, 2022
Project Completion Date: January 31, 2022
Budget
The total allowable budget for the project is up to $1,500 and is inclusive of all costs associated with the project, including but not limited to: research, professional consultations, materials, fabrication, postage, insurance, photography and documentation of the artwork. Applicants must provide a complete budget in the application.
Eligibility
This commission is open to professional Iowa artists 18 and over, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identification, military status, sexual orientation, marital status or physical ability. Artists must be legal Iowa residents who are currently physically residing in Iowa.
Project Background
About the Iowa Arts Council
Established in 1967, the Iowa Arts Council serves as Iowa’s state arts agency and works in collaboration with its federal agency partner, the National Endowment for the Arts, and regional arts partner, Arts Midwest, to build the capacity of Iowa’s arts ecosystem. The Iowa Arts Council strives to create opportunities for the arts to flourish in Iowa by nurturing cultural leadership and investing in projects that provide access to arts experiences in communities and public spaces throughout Iowa.
About the Governor’s Arts Awards
The Governor’s Arts Awards celebrate Iowa artists, individuals, nonprofits, arts service organizations, volunteers, communities and others that have made a significant impact on the vitality of the arts in the state. Award categories for 2023 are:
- Arts Service Award
Highlight an arts service organization that has made a significant impact on the vitality of the arts in their community/region over the award period (July 1, 2020 to November 1, 2022). - Arts Learning Award
Highlight an individual or organization that has increased access to arts learning experiences or enhanced arts learning outcomes for K-12 students in a significant or unique way over the award period (July 1, 2020 to November 1, 2022). - Emerging Arts Leader Award
Showcase an emerging arts leader who has made meaningful contributions to advance the arts in Iowa within the first ten years of their professional arts career. - Arts Legacy Award
Recognizes an individual, nonprofit organization or community that has had a particularly significant impact on the arts in Iowa over time. Note: posthumous nominations are eligible. - Arts Champion Award
Highlight an individual, team or organization that has taken an active role in building a sustainable and thriving ecosystem for the arts in Iowa over the award period (July 1, 2020 to November 1, 2022).
Nominations are reviewed by a panel of Iowa arts and culture professionals, who recommend awards. The Iowa Arts Council will present the awards in spring 2023.
Scope of Work
Artwork Creation
Artist(s) are expected to create five awards, either small sculptures or plaques, with dimensions no larger than 12”. Plaques must be wired or ready for hanging. No restrictions on content, medium or style, but each piece must reflect the purpose of the Governor's Arts Awards to recognize Iowa artists, individuals, nonprofits, arts service organizations, volunteers, communities and others that have made a significant impact on the vitality of the arts in the state. The five awards do not have to match in style or content, but must include the following text either on the artwork or on a base:
2023 Governor's Arts Award
(Awardee Name) - to be confirmed by December 13, 2022
Iowa Arts Council
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
Project Deliverables
Selected artist(s) are expected to complete the project deliverables by January 31, 2022, including delivery of five completed awards to the Iowa Arts Council offices at the State Historical Museum of Iowa, 600 East Locust, Des Moines, IA and providing high resolution, digital image files of the completed awards.
Online Submission
Applicants must submit proposals via the Iowa Arts Council’s SlideRoom, an online application portal. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Late, incomplete or ineligible applications will not be accepted. Applicants can access the current online application requirements at iowaartscouncil.slideroom.com. Applicants must create a login to view the full application requirements for the program. Applicants can visit help.liaisonedu.com for technical assistance related to the online submission.
Application Checklist
Interested artists must submit the following materials via the online submission platform to be considered for the project.
- Letter of Interest & Artist Statement: Provide an overall artist statement for your work and a letter of interest including availability to participate within the provided timeline and relevant details that make you a good candidate for the project.
- Proposal Summary: Provide a brief description of the proposed award concept including the vision, medium, and approximate dimensions.
- Proposal Attachment: Provide sketches or renderings of the proposed award design(s) to provide additional context for the piece(s).
- Work Samples: Upload up to 10 images of original, complete artworks which demonstrate your qualifications for the project. Include the title, medium, dimensions, project budget, year completed, and a description.
- Total Proposed Budget: Detail proposed expenses, including a brief expense description and the numeric dollar amount associated with each expense in the budget form.
Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
A selection committee composed of representatives from the Iowa Arts Council and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs will review and evaluate submissions based on the following criteria.
- Artistic excellence and originality of the proposed award design
- Appropriateness and quality of artist's medium, style, and previous work as they relate to the project goals
- Experience with projects of a similar scale and scope
- Ability to work within the specified project timeline
- Appropriateness of the budget
Notifications and Proposals
Notifications will be issued no later than December 12, 2022. Selected artist(s) will be required to attend a virtual meeting to discuss the development of a final proposal for award design with the selection committee. The final design must be approved by the selection committee.
Note: The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs reserves the right to reject any or all applications or proposals, or to terminate the selection process for any reason without prior notice.
Copyright and License
The artist will retain copyright to the work and will grant the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs an unlimited, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to document the work and reproduce in all media for purposes related to the mission of the department.
Questions
Interested artists are encouraged to review all published material and contact Grants and Operations Manager Sarah Florian with the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs at 515-281-5773 or sarah.florian@iowa.gov with questions well in advance of deadlines.
