CRYSTALart - Call to Artists

CRYSTAL CITY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
CRYSTAL ART – WATER PARK ECO-ART STATUES

March 17, 2009
To continue to highlight Crystal City’s Green characteristics and add artistic elements to the neighborhood’s streets, sidewalks and public spaces, the Crystal City Business Improvement District is introducing ECO-Art Statues – a temporary, outdoor environmental art exhibit in one of Crystal City’s most landmark open spaces, the Crystal City Water Park.

In the Spring of 2008, the Crystal City BID placed six of the fifty artistically designed airplane statues that were part of Crystal Flight program onto the six grassy knolls within the Water Park. The Crystal Flight exhibition attracted increased attention in and patronage of the park and the Crystal City BID is seeking to replicate that success with another spring exhibition exclusively for that area.

This Call for Artists announces the opportunity to design and construct a three-dimensional, biodegradable sculpture for placement in the Crystal City Water Park for the exhibition, which will kick-off Crystal City’s spring Green event - Green Scene.
Selected artists will receive a grant of $2000 from the Crystal City Business Improvement District. In keeping with the theme of Crystal Green’s Green Scene schedule of events, selected pieces must be constructed of 100 percent biodegradable materials.

Design Submission: Please submit a full-color sketch or schematic of your design on 8.5 x 11-sized page (electronically is preferred). Be sure to include dimensions and call-out specific materials used.

Questions/Information Requests: For any questions or information requests, please contact Robert Mandle at 703-412-9435 or via email at rmandle[at]crystalcity[dot]org

Deadline: Artist Participation Forms should be received by April 17, 2009. Please send to Robert H. Mandle via email at rmandle[at]crystalcity[dot]org
or by mail at:

Robert H. Mandle
Crystal City Business Improvement District
2001 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 505
Arlington, VA 22202

Artist Fact Sheet

What: A creative, environmental art project meant for the Crystal City Water Park. The exhibition highlights Crystal City’s green characteristics and one of its most popular public spaces while continuing the policy of incorporating art into the fabric of Crystal City.

Why: The success of the placement of Crystal Flight statues into the Water Park demonstrated the power of art to add value to public spaces. The 2009 exhibition will ensure that area residents, employees, and visitors continue to visit and enjoy the Water Park.

Who: The Crystal City Business Improvement District is responsible for changing how people see and perceive Crystal City. Art remains a critical means of achieving this goal by adding color, interest, and conversation to the streets, sidewalks, and public spaces of Crystal City.

Where: Each of the selected Biodegradable ECO-Art Statues will be placed on the six (6) grassy knolls within the Crystal City Water Park across from 1750 Crystal Drive in Arlington, Virginia.

When: In the Water Park between the end of May through the end of July 2009.
Calendar of Key Dates
Call for Artists Sent March 17, 2009
Artist Participation Form Submission Deadline April 17, 2009
Artist Design Selection April 20, 2009
Preparation/Construction Phase April 21, 2009 to May 24, 2009
Exhibition Opening – Water Park May 25, 2009
Exhibition Ends End of July 2009

Design Guidelines
Artists may submit up to three designs. Submission of design does not guarantee selection.

Each design submitted must include an Artist Participation Form and a sketch of the proposed design on an 8.5 x 11” sheet and include dimensions and material call-outs.

Designs may not be political or derogatory.

Design submissions should be true to color.

Artists selected are required to sign a contract assigning the rights for all designs to the Crystal City BID.

The Crystal City BID reserves the right to use the designs or derivations of the designs on marketing materials and promotional materials as it deems necessary. Any personal use of designs selected must be approved by the Crystal City BID.
Designs MUST be 100 percent biodegradable.

The Artist Participation Package, including the Participation Form and any design submission must be received by April 17, 2009.

Design Selection Process
All designs must be approved by Crystal City Business Improvement District Staff.

Design selections will be completed and artists notified by April 20, 2009.

Artists selected will be required to sign a contract before receiving payment. Payment will be in two phases – 50 percent will be paid upon contract signing with the remaining 50 percent paid upon satisfactory completion and installation of the selected design.