GUIDELINES

Spaceworks Tacoma is seeking visual artists and visual artist teams from the Pacific Northwest who:
       – Can develop a site responsive, temporary or permanent, public art display.
       – Can successfully and fully activate a public space that is visible 24/7.
       – Is an experienced artist seeking a unique location to exhibit artwork.
       – Can create an enticing destination-quality visual display for passersby.

SPACEWORKS ARTSCAPES PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION

Spaceworks Public Art Programs place 2D, 3-dimensional, mural, multi-media art installations, and film in storefront windows, outdoor spaces, and an outdoor video gallery in the city of Tacoma. The program offers an artist stipend to support the creation of new work and site-specific projects, or sometimes, the installation of existing work. Since launching in 2010, Spaceworks has commissioned hundreds of art installations and continues to advocate a living wage for creatives. Througought the year, Spaceworks will have additional Calls to Artists that are open to the public and seperate from our roster opportunities. 

ELIGIBILITY

Any individual artist or artist team in the Pacific Northwest may apply.

EQUITY AND DIVERSITY

Spaceworks represents diverse people, voices, and perspectives, and provides fair access to creative economic opportunities. It is our goal to build programs and services that reflect the diversity of Tacoma.

SELECTION PANEL

Applications are reviewed by a panel of artists, arts professionals, members of the Spaceworks Steering Committee, representatives of neighborhood groups, and/or commercial property owners. Spaceworks staff will lead the panel, but do not vote in the selection process.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The selection panelists are asked to base their decisions using the following criteria:
       – Overall aesthetic quality of art submitted in work samples.
       – Ingenuity in concept of art submitted in work samples.
       – Ability to create work that would engage passers-by.
       – Ability to implement unique display methods of art.

PROCESS

     – Submit application by 11:59 PM on October 15th, 2025.
    – Applications are reviewed by the selection panel.
    – Applicants notified of results in late October 2025. 

SELECTED PARTICIPANTS MUST AGREE TO

      – Enter into an agreement with Spaceworks Tacoma regarding the terms of use.
     – Be willing to uninstall the piece earlier than planned or give up the space if the property owner finds a               permanent tenant within the negotiated timeframe (Windows and Pop-Ups).
      – Install and de-install your own work.
      – Understand that they may have limited access to their space, as required for installation and de-installations.
      – Partner with Spaceworks Tacoma to market and promote events and activities.
      – Comply with all federal, state, and local laws.
      – Leave the space in the same or better condition when they move out.
      – Understand that our payments are net 30 upon receipt of an invoice, and that payments cannot be made until contracts have been fully processed. A portion of payment is retained until deinstallation is complete.

*Acceptance into the Spaceworks’ Artscapes program is not a guarantee that you will be selected for a project, with the exception of the Woolworth Windows (those are scheduled). We can only place as many projects as we have available spaces, and it can be difficult to place all of the projects we would like. We do our best to make sure everyone on the current roster recieves a job during their roster year. Spaceworks reserves the right to pair selected artists with spaces at its discretion. 

**Once accepted to the Artscapes program, you become part of a larger pool of 'preferred' artists that we will reccommend for additional projects with community partners.

Questions?? Email Jennifer English for assistance.