The City of Durham’s Cultural and Public Art Program invites artists and artist teams to submit portfolios as an entry to join the City of Durham Pre-Qualified Artist Registry. This registry will serve as a resource for the program’s selection of artists and artist teams to create City cultural and public art projects. Access to a predetermined network of qualified artists saves artists and staff members valuable time by making the process for responding to the numerous calls issued by the City more efficient. It also strengthens and streamlines the program by maintaining a database of artists in the community with particular skill sets.
The application process does not have a deadline.
The City of Durham’s Cultural and Public Art Program commissions a variety of public artworks in collaboration with City departments and other organizations engaged in capital development projects across Durham, North Carolina. The City of Durham’s Cultural and Public Art Program defines public art as original visual art including, but not limited to, sculptures, murals, photographic renderings, mosaics, and electronic art installations.
Project locations may include but are not limited to the City’s parks, sidewalks, interior and exterior walls, vehicles, bus stops, and spaces that are visible from public streets and pedestrian walkways. Public art is traditionally free of admission fees, and administered through a public process that provides opportunities for the community to provide input.
The City of Durham Pre-Qualified Artist Registry will be used to select artists when a project’s requirements render it suitable. Selection will be based on the appropriateness of the artist’s medium and experience relevant to specific project requirements. The City continuously seeks greater diversity and urges artists and artist teams of all backgrounds and any medium to become part of the pre-qualified registry.
Candidates are eligible regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identification, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical ability. Artists who are selected to join the City of Durham Pre-qualified Artists Registry are encouraged to apply to any additional open calls issued by the City of Durham Public Arts Program, provided they meet eligibility requirements.
