Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge - Request for Proposal to represent Baltimore City
As Baltimore City’s designated Arts Council, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts strives to make Baltimore a more creative and vibrant city. The Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge represents a remarkable opportunity for the City of Baltimore. Each city may enter only one application, which must be submitted by the Mayor and represent a collaboration between the City and an artist and/or arts organization. At least three cities will receive up to $1 million each over two years to support temporary art projects that:
• Celebrate creativity
• Enhance urban identity
• Encourage public/private partnerships
• Drive economic development
Submissions are encouraged from all artistic disciplines including multi-media, visual and performing arts. Projects may be new ideas, or in development and have not yet been realized.
Successful applicants will:
• Bring people together to experience public places in dynamic and transformative ways
• Demonstrate close collaboration between artists, arts organizations and cities
• Establish robust public/private partnerships between local government and other funders
Selection criteria include:
• Excellent, innovative public art project
• Potential for positive impact on Baltimore City
• Evidence of technical feasibility of the project idea and its implementation (i.e. staff, consultants, fabricators, engineers, strategy for regulatory approvals, etc.)
• Appropriate budget and capacity to leverage other sources of support
• Strong marketing and audience engagement strategy
• Commitment to evaluating outcomes
Up to five proposals will be selected by a representative of the Mayor’s office and two additional jurors to be designated by the Mayor. The finalists will be notified by Friday, November 14 and asked to prepare additional information. These proposals will then be presented to the public at a date, time and location to be announced. The jurors will make a recommendation to the Mayor as to the project to be submitted. The Mayor will make the final decision.
