The Public Art League program is administered as a function of 40 North, the Champaign County Arts Council. The program’s focus is the installation, maintenance and promotion of public artworks in the Champaign-Urbana area.
The mission of the program is to promote creativity and improve the community aesthetic by cultivating awareness and appreciation of public art.
Artists interested in applying to the Public Art League call for art click HERE.
Click HERE for a full listing of past and current Public Art League sculptures and sponsors.
INFORMATION FOR ARTISTS
Honorarium
Contingent upon a successful fundraising campaign, the Public Art League and 40North will offer selected artists a $2,500.00 honorarium to cover artist expenses such as the temporary lease of the artwork, transportation to and from the installation site, food & lodging, and artist fees for on-site availability during installation and de-installation. If multiple pieces are selected from one artist an honorarium will be awarded for each piece. PAL/40North, the Cities of Champaign-Urbana and other entities will provide logistical and staff support, site design parameters, and incur the costs associated with site preparation, the physical installation and promotional events and materials.
Artist Eligibility
This opportunity is open to all professional visual artists, aged 18 and older, with public art experience. Selection panelists and their immediate family members are not eligible for participation.
Artwork Themes
We encourage the entry of pieces with an exciting, vibrant, and energetic nature. We also encourage human representational pieces, and/or work that incorporates illumination at night. Submissions must be existing, completed works and available for delivery for the open call window.
Artwork Scale
There is no required size, however, the sculptures should be capable of serving as visual showpieces along major highways and entryways into the community, or, be suitable for placement on city sidewalks.
Artwork Materials
There are no recommended materials but the artists should consider the viability of the work’s structure and appearance and ability to be displayed outdoors for many years. The east-central Illinois climate is hot and humid with intense sunlight, periodic rain, thunderstorms and high sustained winds during the summer, and very cold with frequent sub-zero temperatures during the winter. All artwork must require limited to no maintenance. A statement of recommended maintenance for a 24-month period is required for all submissions.
Artist Responsibilities
Artists selected to exhibit their artwork will be responsible for:
- Transportation of artwork to the exhibition site.
- Assistance and supervision of the installation of the artwork.
- Availability for public information, educational interviews and materials.
Notification
Selected artists will be notified of their selection by e-mail.
Lease Agreement
A signed two (2) year lease agreement will be required after the selection process, before the honorarium is disbursed.
Insurance
Insurance covering the Artworks selected for the Sculpture Exhibition is as follows:
- PAL/40North & the City will provide local General Liability Insurance.
- No insurance is provided by PAL/40North or the City for the value of the Artwork, however artists may provide their own policies if desired.
Questions and Additional Information
For questions and additional information, please contact the Public Art League by e-mail to Kelly White at kwhite@40north.org.
Submit Applications
Submit your sculpture application through our calls for art using our online Jotform application HERE.
