Artist in Residence Opportunity: City of Tacoma

The City of Tacoma, Washington is seeking an individual to act as an Artist in Residence (AiR) for 14 months, November 1, 2017 – December 31, 2018. The AiR will be embedded within the City, and will work collaboratively with staff to find creative ways to address homelessness and related issues in Tacoma. This residency is both proactive and responsive – the artist will be expected to equally address issues of Creative Site Reclamation and issues of Creative Prevention and Community Engagement.

Deadline: September 6, 2017, 11:59 PM

Budget: $4,000 monthly stipend, plus material costs

Eligibility

• Applicant(s) must be a resident of the US.
• Applicants residing outside of Pierce, King, Thurston, or Kitsap counties at the time of application must be willing to relocate to Tacoma for the duration of the residency.
• Applicant(s) must apply as a single artist.
• Applicant(s) cannot be a member of the Tacoma Arts Commission or an employee of the City of Tacoma.
• Applicant(s) must be able to commit to a minimum average of 30 hours per week for the duration of the residency.
• Applicant(s) must be 18 years or older and not a full-time student during the residency.

People who are members of historically disenfranchised racial, ethnic, cultural, and other identity groups are encouraged to apply.

The full Request for Qualifications is available here.

How to Apply

Eligible artists interested in this opportunity must submit the following items ONLY via Submittable: https://tacomaarts.submittable.com/submit  Emailed, mailed, or applications uploaded through any other service will not be reviewed.

Short Written Responses
Please submit responses to the following questions:

• Why are you interested in this project?
• Describe your experience with homelessness and/or working with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• What is your experience working with and designing outdoor spaces? If you do not have any direct experience as a landscape architect or designer, what skills or experience would allow you to be successful in this residency?
• How have you successfully engaged community in past projects?
• Anything else you want to tell us? (optional)

Professional Resume and Three References
Resume should not exceed three pages and should include the names, titles, addresses, emails and phone numbers of three professional references.

Three Case Studies
Send us 3 case studies of past projects with short descriptions. At least one case study should show how you work with community, and at least one should show your skill designing and implementing landscapes.

Samples uploaded for each case study can include videos, articles, images, marketing materials, project webpages, screenshots, lesson plans, planning documents, etc. – anything that helps tell the story of a relevant past project in a complete and nuanced way. Samples can be uploaded as separate files (5 maximum) or combined into a single document or video. After reviewing your case studies, we should understand your working style, aesthetic, and how your past work relates to this residency.

The panel will review up to three (3) minutes of each video and audio clip, and up to five (5) pages of each document submitted. If uploading a longer video or audio file, indicate what time into the start of the URL or digital file the panel should begin review. If submitting a longer document, indicate which pages the panel should review. If work is presented as part of a collaboration, explain your role in the larger project and credit design team or individual collaborators by name and role (e.g. landscape architect).

QUESTIONS? Contact Rebecca Solverson, Public Art Specialist, 253-591-5564, rebecca.solverson@cityoftacoma.org