Howard County Arts Council 

Howard County Poet Laureate 2024 – 2026 Guidelines

 On October 24, 2023 Howard County Executive Calvin Ball approved the establishment of the position of Howard County Poet Laureate, to elevate poetry in the consciousness of Howard County residents and to help celebrate the literary arts. The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) administers this program in partnership with Howard County Poetry & Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo).

 The Poet Laureate is an honorary two-year position, in service to the community. The Poet Laureate shall be formally appointed by the County Executive, acting on a recommendation determined through an artistic and community panel selection process coordinated by HoCoPoLitSo.

 During their term, the Poet Laureate will act as an advocate for poetry, literature, and the arts and contribute to Howard County’s poetic and literary legacy through public readings and participation in civic events.

 The Poet Laureate will not be considered an employee of Howard County nor of HCAC and will continue to have individual pursuits.

 The next Poet Laureate will serve from April 2024 through March 2026 and will receive a stipend of $5,000 per year of service, paid in two equal installments of $2,500 at the beginning and end of the year. In addition, a budget of up to $500 per year is available for reimbursable expenses related to the Poet Laureate’s activities, to be paid at the end of each year.

 Eligibility Criteria for the Howard County Poet Laureate

 The Howard County Poet Laureate program is a partnership with HCAC and HoCoPoLitSo, working with other community literary organizations. Program requirements include the following:

● The selected Poet Laureate will be available to serve a two-year term.

● The selected Poet Laureate is a current Howard County Resident who has resided in the County for the past three years and has a reputable body of published or recognized poetic work.

● The selected Poet Laureate’s poetic interests respond to, or represent, the diversity of arts and cultures in Howard County.

● The selected Poet Laureate has demonstrated a commitment to and passion for poetry as a means of connection and understanding, and embraces the opportunity to engage with the community through the arts.

● The selected Poet Laureate must be at least 18 years of age and not be enrolled in high school or an undergraduate degree, graduate degree, or certificate-granting program in an arts discipline or an arts-related subject area at the time of application.

 Individuals that have served as a trustee, employee or board member of HCAC or HoCoPoLitSo in the past year and spouses and immediate family members of HCAC or HoCoPoLitSo Board and staff are not eligible to apply.

 Duties of the Howard County Poet Laureate

 The Poet Laureate shall undertake projects throughout Howard County that will make poetry more available and accessible to people in their communities and everyday lives, including the following but not exceeding more than 25 events per year:

1. Design and lead events and  participate in activities in Howard County for National Poetry Month,  including coordinating with HoCoPoLitSo and Howard Community College to  participate in the annual Blackbird Poetry Festival in April.
2. Participate in readings and  speaking engagements for the Howard County Executive and County      Departments. May include selecting and presenting appropriate works at dedications, memorials, and other      community events in Howard County. Up to 25 hours per year, as determined and scheduled through HCAC      in coordination with the offices of the County Executive and County Council.
3. Serve as a judge for the  All-County Writing Competition, in coordination with HoCoPoLitSo and the      Howard County Public School System.
4. Readings or other events as  designed by and at the selected Poet Laureate’s discretion, in  coordination with the Poet Laureate program organizers.
5. Actively participate in social  media activity related to Poet Laureate events and projects.
6. After their term as Poet  Laureate is complete, at their discretion, serve on the selection panel(s) for future Howard County Poet Laureates.

 To Apply

Once you have entered the system, please review the complete application and guidelines, which include detailed instructions. Application requirements include: resume, work samples, and ideas for community engagement. Letters of recommendation and reviews are optional.

 Applications for Howard County Poet Laureate open on October 24, 2023. The deadline to submit applications is January 9, 2024.

 If for any reason you are not able to submit application materials online, please contact Dana Whipkey, HCAC Grants and Special Projects Coordinator at grantsandprojects@hocoarts.org or 410.313. ARTS(2787). 

 Timeline

 Application opens: October 24, 2023

Application deadline: January 9, 2024

Selection announcement: Late March or early April 2024

To View Complete Guidelines and Instructions Click Here

1. Individual Artist Merit and Creativity Overview-Visual Arts 

      The purpose of the Individual Artist Merit and Creativity (IAM Creativity) award program is to recognize the role of individual artists in Howard County’s creative eco-system and strengthen the diversity and vitality of the Howard County arts community.
     The IAM Creativity program provides unrestricted funds to support the creative work of Howard County artists and to recognize excellence in dance, film, folk and traditional arts, literary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts disciplines.
 

The goals for the IAM Creativity award program are to:
 

• Recognize and support the creative work of individual artists; 
• Foster excellence, diversity, and vitality in the arts;  
• Expand public understanding of the impact that individual artists have on our local communities and economy; and 
• Acknowledge the many hours and personal resources artists dedicate to the pursuit of excellence and creativity in their artforms. 

Over a four-year period, the IAM Creativity program will provide awards in seven different artistic disciplines, accepting applications for two disciplines each year. A maximum of four (4) awards, including one (1) $5,000 and three (3) $1,000 awards, will be awarded in each discipline. The awards provide recipients with unrestricted funds to support their artistic practice, develop innovative ideas, and/or complete projects already underway. At the end of the award period, recipients must submit a statement describing the impact of the award. Visual Arts is one of the disciplines being considered for the 2024 IAM Creativity  program:
 

• Visual Arts: This discipline includes, but is not limited, to original* artwork made through traditional and experimental techniques, processes and materials in visual art disciplines including, but not limited to, artist books, ceramics, conceptual art, crafts, graphic design and illustration, drawing, fiber, glass,  installations, mixed media, original computer-generated work, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and others. Includes interdisciplinary and time-based experimental art forms with 2- or 3-dimensional visual art forms as the central expressive component. 

      The IAM Creativity program is generously supported through a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.  
 

1. Review Criteria  

IAM Creativity awards are competitive. Artists are encouraged to apply when they have a cohesive body of work that they are prepared to present in a professional manner. The applicant must be the primary artistic force behind the work.
     Applications are evaluated by an independent panel of artists and/or arts professionals with expertise and perspectives in the discipline being considered. The role of each panelist is to review and score each eligible application based on the materials submitted and the established criteria cited below:  

Concept  

The application and work samples demonstrate the applicant’s creative and original theories, ideas, interpretations and/or perceptions. (Up to 30 points) 

Cohesion 

The application and work samples demonstrate a clear and cohesive body of work. (Up to 20 points).  

Demonstrated Command of Form 

The application and work samples demonstrate the applicant’s exemplary technical capabilities within the chosen discipline. (Up to 20 points)
Impact
     The application and work samples demonstrate applicant’s creative practice has both sustained resonance, impact, or value and strengthens the diversity and vitality of Howard County’s arts ecosystem. (Up to 30 points)  
     If work samples include a group project, the applicant must be an equal partner and/or the featured artist for at least 50% of the time (for performance-based work, work sample must be cued to the applicant’s performance) and include descriptive information on the Work Sample list so that it is clear to the panel what the applicant’s role in the work is.  
 

1. Review Process  

Only complete applications successfully submitted online through hocoarts.submittable.com will be accepted and reviewed. Once the application deadline passes, no alterations or additions may be made to the application, unless clarification is requested in writing by HCAC staff. Applicants must meet all revision deadlines, as specified in writing, or the application will be withdrawn.
     The IAM Creativity award program has a 3-step review process:
     Step 1: HCAC Staff Review
 

• Initial review of applications for compliance with eligibility and submission requirements is made by HCAC staff. If staff detects issues, they may call upon applicants to clarify information, to furnish proof of eligibility, etc. Should an applicant be asked to clarify and/or revise their application, the applicant must meet all revision deadlines, as specified by staff, or the application will be withdrawn. 

     Step 2: Artistic Review Panel 

• Each panelist reviews the applications and work samples on their own via hocoarts.submittable.com through an anonymous review process in advance of the full panel meeting. 
• The full panel meets together via video conference or in a hybrid in-person-video conference configuration to discuss, score, and finalize award recipients.  

      Panels are strongly encouraged to score each application and recommend awards but reserve the right to decline to score and/or decline to make an award recommendation if they feel that an application, or the entire pool of applicants, does not warrant an award.  
 

To ensure that HCAC review panels are free from conflicts of interest and the appearance of such conflicts, panelists are required to disclose any current or prospective affiliations they or their immediate family members have with an actual or potential applicant. In addition, panelists are required to disclose any past or current adversarial relationships with applicants. Panelists are not permitted to participate in discussions or scoring of any applicant with whom they have an affiliation or conflict.  

     Members of HCAC’s Committee on Grants and staff will be present during the full panel review to observe the process and/or answer any questions from the panel about the award process; however, they do not participate in the panel discussions.  

     Step 3: HCAC Board Approval
 

• The final panel scores are reviewed by the HCAC Committee on Grants and presented to the HCAC Board of Directors; approval of awards rests with the HCAC Board of Directors. All award decisions of the HCAC Board of Directors are final.  

IAM Creativity award recipients will be notified and sent a Letter of Agreement. Upon HCAC’s receipt of the signed Letter of Agreement, award payments will be disbursed in two payments. The awardee will receive 75% of the award 2-4 weeks from the date of receipt of a fully executed Award Agreement and receipt of the W-9 and 25% upon receipt and acceptance of the Impact Statement. 

For Complete Guidelines and Instructions, Click Here

1. Individual Artist Merit and Creativity Award Overview – Dance 

   The purpose of the Individual Artist Merit and Creativity (IAM Creativity) award program is to recognize the role of individual artists in Howard County’s creative eco-system and strengthen the diversity and vitality of the Howard County arts community.
  The IAM Creativity program provides unrestricted funds to support the creative work of Howard County artists and to recognize excellence in dance, film, folk and traditional arts, literary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts disciplines.
 

The goals for the IAM Creativity award program are to:
 

• Recognize and support the creative work of individual artists; 
• Foster excellence, diversity, and vitality in the arts;  
• Expand public understanding of the impact that individual artists have on our local communities and economy; and 
• Acknowledge the many hours and personal resources artists dedicate to the pursuit of excellence and creativity in their artforms. 

 Over a four-year period, the IAM Creativity program will provide awards in seven different artistic disciplines, accepting applications for two disciplines each year. A maximum of four (4) awards, including one (1) $5,000 and three (3) $1,000 awards, will be awarded in each discipline. The awards provide recipients with unrestricted funds to support their artistic practice, develop innovative ideas, and/or complete projects already underway. At the end of the award period, recipients must submit a statement describing the impact of the award. 

Dance is one of the disciplines being considered for the 2024 IAM Creativity award. 

• Dance: This discipline includes, but is not limited to, performing art forms consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or choreographed. Includes dance disciplines such as modern dance, ballet, hip-hop, Latin, among others. Also Includes dance performance, choreography, and interdisciplinary or experimental work with dance as the central expressive component. 

  The IAM Creativity program is generously supported through a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.  
 

1. Review Criteria  

  IAM Creativity awards are competitive. Artists are encouraged to apply when they have a cohesive body of work that they are prepared to present in a professional manner. The applicant must be the primary artistic force behind the work. 

Applications are evaluated by an independent panel of artists and/or arts professionals with expertise and perspectives in the discipline being considered. The role of each panelist is to review and score each eligible application based on the materials submitted and the established criteria cited below:  

Concept  

The application and work samples demonstrate the applicant’s creative and original theories, ideas, interpretations and/or perceptions. (Up to 30 points) 

Cohesion 

The application and work samples demonstrate a clear and cohesive body of work. (Up to 20 points).  

Demonstrated Command of Form 

The application and work samples demonstrate the applicant’s exemplary technical capabilities within the chosen discipline. (Up to 20 points) 

Impact 

The application and work samples demonstrate applicant’s creative practice has both sustained resonance, impact, or value and strengthens the diversity and vitality of Howard County’s arts ecosystem. (Up to 30 points) 

If work samples include a group or ensemble, the applicant must be an equal partner and/or the featured artist for at least 50% of the time (for performance-based work, work sample must be cued to the applicant’s performance) and include descriptive information on the Work Sample list so that it is clear to the panel what the applicant’s role in the work is.  

1. Review Process  

  Only complete applications successfully submitted online through hocoarts.submittable.com will be accepted and reviewed. Once the application deadline passes, no alterations or additions may be made to the application, unless clarification is requested in writing by HCAC staff. Applicants must meet all revision deadlines, as specified in writing, or the application will be withdrawn.
  The IAM Creativity award program has a 3-step review process:
  Step 1: HCAC Staff Review
 

• Initial review of applications for compliance with eligibility and submission requirements is made by HCAC staff. If staff detects issues, they may call upon applicants to clarify information, to furnish proof of eligibility, etc. Should an applicant be asked to clarify and/or revise their application, the applicant must meet all revision deadlines, as specified by staff, or the application will be withdrawn. 

Step 2: Artistic Review Panel
 

• Each panelist reviews the applications and work samples on their own via hocoarts.submittable.com through an anonymous review process in advance of the full panel meeting. 
• The full panel meets together via video conference or in a hybrid in-person-video conference configuration to discuss, score, and finalize award recipients.  

   Panels are strongly encouraged to score each application and recommend awards but reserve the right to decline to score and/or decline to make an award recommendation if they feel that an application, or the entire pool of applicants, does not warrant an award.  

To ensure that HCAC review panels are free from conflicts of interest and the appearance of such conflicts, panelists are required to disclose any current or prospective affiliations they or their immediate family members have with an actual or potential applicant. In addition, panelists are required to disclose any past or current adversarial relationships with applicants. Panelists are not permitted to participate in discussions or scoring of any applicant with whom they have an affiliation or conflict.  

Members of HCAC’s Committee on Grants and staff will be present during the full panel review to observe the process and/or answer any questions from the panel about the award process; however, they do not participate in the panel discussions.  

Step 3: HCAC Board Approval 

• The final panel scores are reviewed by the HCAC Committee on Grants and presented to the HCAC Board of Directors; approval of awards rests with the HCAC Board of Directors. All award decisions of the HCAC Board of Directors are final.  

  IAM Creativity award recipients will be notified and sent a Letter of Agreement. Upon HCAC’s receipt of the signed Letter of Agreement, award payments will be disbursed in two payments. The awardee will receive 75% of the award 2-4 weeks from the date of receipt of a fully executed Award Agreement and receipt of the W-9 and 25% upon receipt and acceptance of the Impact Statement. 

For Complete Guidelines and Instructions, Click Here
 

Opportunity:
Howard County Arts Council seeks applicants for teaching artist positions/proposals for its 2024 Summer Camps. Proposals are now being accepted for nine weeks of week-long morning and afternoon visual and performing arts camp sessions from June 24 - August 23, 2023.
Qualified individuals are invited to submit proposals for youth camp sessions (grades K-7) in any performing or visual arts discipline. Youth camps are 1/2 day sessions (morning or afternoon) for a five-day week. Preference will be given to teaching artists who are able to offer both morning and afternoon sessions in any given week.
Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) strives to offer students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities quality arts experiences and a chance to discover their unique creative talents. Priority will be given to proposals addressing the fundamentals of visual and performing arts. Sessions are canceled if enrollment is fewer than five students.
Teaching artists create a safe and supportive learning environment where students can feel comfortable taking risks and engaging in creative challenges. Individual attention and small class sizes (5-20 students) encourage participation and dialogue.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop age-appropriate curricula in cooperation with the Deputy Director and provide full weekly lesson plans in advance of the start of camp.
• Relate needs for supplies and equipment to the Camp Director by the assigned deadline.
• Attend required meetings & staff trainings, including mandatory Zoom call at 5pm on Wednesday, June 19.
• Prepare studio/classroom and collect supplies for class use. Return studio/classroom to the previous condition when camp is dismissed.
• Keep Deputy Director and Camp Director informed of any incidents, concerns, or issues regarding students, equipment, or space.

Compensation
HCAC employs teaching artists as independent contractors. Contract teachers are paid according to the number of registrations per camps. Contract rates for camps are as follows (paid in full at the conclusion of the camp week): $25/hr for 5-10 students enrolled in the class, $30/hr for 11-15, and $35/hr for 16-20. A supply budget for up to $100 is provided.


COVID-19
HCAC follows all state and county guidelines for COVID-19 prevention and in some cases, Center protocol will exceed local requirements. Please note that due to the changing nature of this pandemic, staff may not have final camp safety protocols in place until the spring.  Teachers may reach out to staff with questions in advance, and open communication about safety concerns is encouraged.


If you have questions, please contact education@hocoarts.org or call 410-313-2787.

OPPORTUNITY:

Howard County Arts Council seeks applicants for teaching artist positions for its upcoming Winter & Spring 2024 Class Sessions during the following dates.
Winter 2024 Class Dates: January 20 - March 16, 2024
Proposals due November 1, 2023


Spring 2024 Class Dates: April 1 - June 1, 2024
Proposals due February 4, 2024

Qualified individuals are invited to submit proposals for youth and/or adult courses and workshops in any performing or visual arts discipline.

Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) strives to offer students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities quality arts experiences and a chance to discover their unique creative talents. HCAC is seeking qualified arts instructors to propose classes and workshops for the upcoming session. Priority will be given to proposals addressing the fundamentals of visual and performing arts. Classes/Workshops may be scheduled anytime during normal building hours, from one to four hours, during the designated session dates. Classes/Workshops are canceled if enrollment is fewer than five students.

Winter & Spring building hours at the Howard County Center for the Arts are: Monday – Thursday, 9am – 10pm; Friday, 9am – 8pm; Saturday, 10am – 4pm; Sunday, 12 – 4pm.

Teaching artists create a safe and supportive learning environment where students can feel comfortable taking risks and engaging in creative challenges. Individual attention and small class sizes encourage participation and dialogue.


DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop appropriate curricula in cooperation with the Deputy Director.
• Relate needs for supplies and equipment to the Education Coordinator by the assigned deadline.
• Attend required meetings.
• Prepare studio/classroom and collect supplies for class use/ return studio/classroom to its previous condition when class is dismissed.
• Keep Deputy Director informed of any incidents, concerns, or issues regarding students, equipment, or space.

COMPENSATION
HCAC employs teaching artists as independent contractors.  Contract teachers are paid according to the number of registrations per class.

Classes can be 2-3 hours each and run for up to 8 weeks. Contract rates for classes are as follows (half payable halfway into the term and the remaining half payable at the end of the term):   $25/hr for 5-11 students enrolled in the class, $30/hr for 12-16, and $35/hr for 17+.  A supply budget for up to $100 is provided for youth classes.

Workshops can be 2-4 hours each and should run only once per session cycle. Contract rates for workshops are as follows: $35/hr for 6-15 students enrolled in the workshop, $40/hr for 16+.  Supply budgets and workshop pricing are decided on a case-by-case basis by the Deputy Director.


If you have any questions, please contact education@hocoarts.org.

 
Creative Howard Grant Program Guidelines
Grant activities must take place within this grant period, ending June 30, 2024; projects are not funded retroactively, please plan ahead.
FY24 Application Calendar

September 1, 2023: Grant applications available online (Rolling deadline based on funds available; applications due 60 days prior to proposed project start date.)
November 1, 2023: Earliest project start date for projects. (Applications submitted by 11:59 PM EST on the first day of the month will be reviewed that month; applications received after that will be reviewed the following month.)
April 1, 2024: Last deadline for FYE June 30, 2024.
Final Report Due within 15 business days of project completion.
Creative Howard Overview
The purpose of the Creative Howard grant program is to strengthen the vitality of the Howard County arts community and recognize the role of small nonprofit arts organizations and arts businesses in Howard County’s creative eco-system.
The goals for Creative Howard are:
· To increase access to the process of requesting grants to arts organizations and support needs in the arts community that may fall outside of the eligibility requirements of HCAC’s Community Arts Development grant program.
· To provide small non-profit 501c3- designated arts organizations with a foundation to apply for future Community Arts Development grants.
Creative Howard supports eligible activities of small arts organizations (both 501c3 nonprofit arts organizations and for- and nonprofit arts businesses) with grants up to $2,500. There is no matching fund requirement for Creative Howard grants. Applicants may receive funding for only one application per fiscal year (July 1-June 30).
Deadline
 The deadline for Creative Howard is rolling. The deadline to submit the application is the first day of each month at 11:59PM.  Applications will be reviewed monthly and Creative Howard grants will be awarded throughout the fiscal year until total funding allocated for the program is awarded.
HCAC will begin accepting applications on September 1, 2023 for the FY24 application cycle. The grant period for FY24 ends June 30, 2024. Funded activities must occur within the grant period. HCAC does not fund projects in progress or completed before the grant application deadline.  Applications must be submitted at least 60 days before the proposed activities occur.
The application process will be closed once funding allocated for the program is fully awarded and will only be reopened should new funding become available.
Eligibility
 Nonprofit arts organizations and arts businesses (see definitions below) located and operating in Howard County for at least one year prior to the application’s submission and throughout the funded project with an operating revenue of $100,000 or less (see application process below) are eligible to apply.
Not eligible to apply are current FY24 HCAC grant recipients, Howard County governmental agencies, and organizations that receive direct funding from Howard County, such as, Howard County Public Schools, Howard County Recreation and Parks, Howard Community College.
Eligibility:
· Applicant must maintain their primary physical office and conduct at least 50% of all business operations, programs and activities in Howard County (i.e.: 50% of rehearsals, 50% of Board and committee meetings, 50% of performances, workshops, etc.). Corporate papers, such as the 990 and Personal Property Tax forms, letterhead, website, and program materials submitted must show primary office is located in the County.
· Applicant must have one fully completed and documented fiscal year of operations as of the date of the application submission.
· Applicant must produce or present arts programs, services or projects that are accessible to the public and relevant to its community (demonstrate need).


 

• Applicant may receive funding for one Creative Howard grant per fiscal year; the program may consist of a one-time activity or a series of related activities.
• A program is eligible for funding through Creative Howard if it supports an arts and/or cultural activity that is presented at a location in Howard County.
• Program activities must be open to the public with or without an admission fee, virtual programming is eligible.
• Program activities may include, but are not limited to, dance, design, folk and traditional arts, history exhibit  or historic reenactment, lectures or seminars, literature, media arts, music, theater, visual arts, and workshops. This list is not exhaustive and applicants are encouraged to think creatively about their programs.
• Program budget must be based on cash income and expense only.
• Program  expenses must be directly related to the artistic activities described in the application.

Submission of an application constitutes an understanding and agreement of the conditions set forth in these guidelines.
Please read the full guidelines, before starting the application. https://www.hocoarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/FY24-Creative-Howard-Guidelines-8.21.23.pdf. Only successfully submitted, complete, on-line applications will be accepted and reviewed. Incomplete or hard copy applications will be disqualified.
Arts Council staff is available to assist applicants with any questions about completing this application by mailing grantsandprojects@hocoarts.org.

 

The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) is seeking up to 12 publicly accessible sites to host sculpture for a temporary outdoor exhibit from August 2024–July 2025 as part of ARTsites, HCAC’s annual juried public art competition. Selected sites can be public or privately owned, and will choose and display one sculpture each. HCAC’s goal is to make art more accessible to the entire community by placing sculpture at sites throughout Howard County. The sculpture will serve as major visual anchor points that will enhance and activate community spaces and generate interest in public art.   A selection panel made up of HCAC representatives, public art professionals, and at least one professional with expertise in planning and zoning, architecture and design, or construction, will be convened to review the applications and select artist finalists and sites. The panel will provide a pool of selected sculptures to representatives from participating sites; those representatives will choose the sculptures for their sites from the pool.  
    The competition is open to all professional artists, aged 18 and older, with public art experience that is commensurate with this project’s scope. HCAC will provide a grant to each selected artist to cover the temporary loan, installation and de-installation of the sculpture.   HCAC will provide a name plaque for each work and publicity materials. HCAC staff will serve as a liaison with artists and site administrators. Sale of installed works will be encouraged; a 20% commission of work sold as a result of the exhibit will go to HCAC. Work must remain on view for the entire duration of the exhibit.
Eligibility:

 

• All community, commercial and public sites in Howard County are eligible; HCAC’s goal is to place sculpture at sites throughout the county.
• Sites that experience high levels of pedestrian traffic are recommended.
• Sites must be visible and accessible to the public.
• Sites that have courtyards or other paved pedestrian spaces conducive to the display of outdoor sculpture or sites willing to install a concrete pad will be given preference; some work may be appropriate to place on lawns.
• Sites should be publicly accessible 24 hours per day or, if they are sited in a park or similar site, be accessible during normal hours of that site’s operation.
• Sites that contain commercial or political advertising (other than the name and location of the business), or would impede pedestrian traffic, or create a safety or traffic issue will not be considered.

Site Responsibilities:

 

• Privately owned sites must carry General Liability Insurance in the amount of $2,000,000, personal property insurance covering vandalism or theft, and provide proof thereof.
• Appoint a site administrator who will provide logistical and administrative support during installation, de-installation, and the duration of the exhibit.
• Monitor the work and notify HCAC immediately of any damages or vandalism.
• Install a concrete pad or other anchoring construction if the sculpture the site selects requires it.
• Install the name plaque provided by HCAC in the area that the sculpture is sited.
• Enter into an agreement with HCAC regarding these requirements and willingness to host the sculpture for the duration of the exhibit.
• Have representatives available to attend meetings as necessary and be available for publicity purposes.

Guidelines for Sites to Consider:
   Public art should ideally

 

• Be placed at a site where it will enhance and activate the space or at least not detract from it (e.g. creating a “blind” spot).
• Be sited where it will be highly visible, in a location that experiences high levels of  pedestrian traffic, or creates a place to congregate.
• Be placed at a site where it is not overwhelmed by, nor competing with, the scale of the site or adjacent architecture, large retail signage, billboards, etc.
• Not block windows or entrance ways, nor obstruct normal pedestrian circulation in and out of a building, nor be a safety hazard.
• Not be placed at a site if the landscaping and maintenance requirements of that site cannot be met.

Artist Responsibilities:
   Artists selected to exhibit their sculpture will be responsible for:

 

• Signing a contract with HCAC and site.
• Transportation and installation of the sculpture.
• Maintaining general liability insurance during the installation process and any applicable insurance limits for themselves or any subcontractors including, but not limited to, worker’s compensation, automobile, etc. during the installation of the artwork.
• Being available for public information, interviews, etc.
• Removing work promptly at the end of the exhibit.

Copyright:
   Participating artists retain sole ownership and copyright of the artwork, but must agree to grant HCAC and participating site a royalty-free, worldwide perpetual license to use any depictions of the work for educational, documentary, and non-commercial promotional purposes.
Timeline:
    Artist and Site RFPs posted December 2023
    Proposals due at HCAC February 21, 2024
    Sites notified April 2024
    Artwork selection meeting April 2024*
    Artists notified April 2024
    Contracts due May 2024
    Artwork installed August 1-15, 2024
    Artwork de-installed July 15-30, 2025
     *This meeting date will be set by HCAC and all sites will be notified of the date and time after the proposal deadline. Accepted sites will need to send a representative to this meeting to select the artwork for their site.
NOTE:
    HCAC reserves the right to refuse any or all submissions, sites, and any finalists; to waive informalities in proposals or procedures; to withhold the selection award should it be determined that the site or submissions are not adequate, or for any other reason prior to a written contractual arrangement. HCAC also reserves the right to re-issue the call for entry, which may revise selection timeline, or ask sites to submit proposals for review. HCAC reserves the right to accept or reject, at any time, any or all proposals or any part thereof submitted in connection with this call for entry, to waive any defect or technicality, and to advertise for new proposals, where the acceptance, rejection, waiver or advertisement would be in the best interest of HCAC, or to terminate the selection process at any time for any project. If, regardless of the reason, the contract for the project is not executed within thirty days after submittal to the site, HCAC reserves the right to withdraw the selection of the site. HCAC reserves the right to negotiate unacceptable provisions incorporated within an otherwise acceptable proposal. A proposal which is late, incomplete, unclear, conditional or which contains irregularities of any kind, may be rejected without evaluation. Submission of an application constitutes an understanding and agreement of the conditions set forth herein.
Application:
   Complete applications will be forwarded to the selection panel for consideration. Handwritten statements will not be accepted.     Sites interested in applying for the project must submit the following:

 

• Attached Submission Form, filled in completely. If submitting for multiple sites, fill out a separate form for each site.
• Photograph(s) and/or scale drawing of each proposed site.

For complete RFP for private sites, Click Here
For complete RFP for public agency sites, Click Here
All application materials must be submitted by 11:59PM February 21, 2024

Overview:
  The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) is seeking up to 12 artists to participate in its Thirteenth Annual Juried Public Art Competition for a temporary outdoor exhibit from August 2024-July 2025. HCAC’s goal is to make art more accessible to the entire community by placing sculpture at sites throughout Howard County. The sculpture will serve as major visual anchor points that will enhance and activate community spaces and generate interest in public art.

  HCAC will administer the selection process and provide an identification plaque for each work and promotional support for the exhibit. HCAC staff will serve as the liaison with site administrators. Sale of artwork will be encouraged; a 20% commission of work sold as a result of the exhibit will go to HCAC. Work must remain on view for the duration of the entire exhibit.

Grant Awards:
  HCAC will provide up to 12 artists with a $3,000 grant to cover the temporary loan, insurance, installation, de-installation, and repairs to the sculpture. If multiple pieces are selected from one artist, a separate grant will be awarded for each piece. Selected artists will receive two grant payments: one after the contract is signed and the sculpture is installed, and the other after the sculpture is de-installed and the site is returned to its original condition. Artist fee is contingent upon HCAC receiving full funding for ARTsites 2024 from Howard County.

Eligibility:
  The competition is open to all professional visual artists, aged 18 and older, with public art experience commensurate with this project's scope. HCAC board, staff, and their immediate family members, and selection panelists and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate. In addition to finished pieces, proposed work will also be considered (based on previous examples of public work).

For full details, please Click Here to read the entire RFP.
All application materials should be submitted online or delivered to Howard County Arts Council by 11:59PM, February 21, 2024.