Public Art Initiative
The African American and African Studies Community Extension Center (CEC) invites artists to participate in the Public Art Initiative, a project celebrating historically African American communities, exploring the past and present of Black Studies, and imagining new futures. Artists will first submit a Letter of Interest; selected finalists will then be invited to submit a Final Proposal. Winning artists will receive $3,000 plus a $1,500 materials fund (First Place), $1,500 (Second Place), or $1,000 (Third Place). Chosen works will be installed at the CEC for up to three years, creating space for dialogue, cultural preservation, and community connection.
Application Process
Overview & Eligibility
The CEC invites artists to submit proposals for a two-phase public art initiative. Artworks should explore Black culture, history, and future visions. Selected works will be installed at the CEC for up to three years.
Who Can Apply:
- Artists 18 years and older
- Open to all backgrounds and identities
- No application fee
- Any medium or style welcome
- Final work must be original (AI tools may be used for mock-ups only)
Phase One: Letter of Interest
- Deadline: October 24, 2025 (11:59 PM EST)
- Submit a PDF (max 500 words) describing your project.
- Include 5–10 samples of past work.
- File size under 10 MB.
- You may submit multiple proposals (one per form).
Selection & Criteria
- A 7-member panel will review submissions.
- Three finalists announced by mid-December 2025.
- Judged on:
- Artistic quality
- Relevance to themes
- Public engagement potential
- Feasibility
- Portfolio strength
Phase Two: Final Proposal
- Deadline: March 31, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
- Finalists submit sketches, plans, and/or prototypes.
- Include a short video explaining your project.
- Optional: materials list and costs.
- Submit all files in a single ZIP folder (under 100 MB).
Installation & Awards
- First-Place winner may refine their work on-site at the CEC.
- Artwork installed in Summer 2026 and displayed for at least 3 years.
- The CEC may host programs and events around the artwork.
- Awards:
- First Place: $3,000 + $1,500 supply fund
- Second Place: $1,500
- Third Place: $1,000
- All installation costs (labor, equipment, insurance) covered by the CEC.
