Call to Artists
Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Project Title: Welcome Race Fans 2019
Budget (per artist): $2,000 total ($1,500 original artwork commission, $500 licensing fee.)
Deadline for Submissions: Monday, January 14, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. (EST)
Program Specifics
With the wide-ranging success of the inaugural Welcome Race Fans collaboration between the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Arts Council of Indianapolis to incorporate Indiana artists and original artwork into the 100th, 101st, and 102nd Runnings of the Indy 500 celebrations, we are pleased to announce Welcome Race Fans 2019. The original concept called for the commission of 33 painting by 33 Indiana artists to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime event, the 100th Running of the Indy 500. The art program garnered attention from news media regionally and nationally as well as interest from other cities and racetracks around the country including the Texas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and The Grand Prix held in St. Petersburg, Florida. Out of the 33 original artworks, 12 of the artworks sold to new patrons during the celebration. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these artworks went directly to the artists. In the second year of Welcome Race Fans, the field of artists was narrowed to 5, but the mission of the program was the same: to highlight one of the most visible and iconic visuals associated with May in Indianapolis – the blanketing of the city with "Welcome Race Fans" signs.
In an effort to build on the success of the previous two years, we are announcing next year’s program for the 103rd Running of the Indy 500. For 2019, the program will consist of five artists creating a version of a “Welcome Race Fans” sign in their own unique materials, process, and style. As with previous years, racing imagery need NOT be included in the final artwork.
All participating artists will retain ownership and copyright in their work, however, during the month of May 2019, original artworks will appear in key locations around the city including the Indianapolis Artsgarden and the 500 Festival offices and finally installed for race week at the iconic Pagoda at the Speedway. In addition, reproductions of artworks may be used to create various print media including but not limited to: Larger-than-life vinyl installations on the Artsgarden, on the Allison Building on Main Street in Speedway and other buildings, billboards, banners and lastly, limited edition commemorative posters, which will be shared with the community as visual reminders of the highly visible collaboration of art & motorsports. Artists will be given credit on any reproductions of their artwork.
To learn more about the program and see the wide range of artworks commissioned in last three years, visit www.WelcomeRaceFansIndy.org.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for this program, artists must:
Artwork Considerations and Requirements
Artists will be asked to create an artwork with imagery and materials of their choosing. The imagery does not necessarily need to be racing related. This project is meant to showcase the original styles of Indiana artists while welcoming visitors to Indy for the citywide celebration of the 103rd running. Though racing imagery is not a requirement, if you choose to include it, the Arts Council and Indianapolis Motor Speedway will advise artists on how to properly use copyrighted photos and other material with required permissions.
Completed artwork should adhere to the following standards:
Selection Process
Once qualifications are received from interested artists, representatives from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will assist the Arts Council Artist Services and Public Art team in reviewing artists’ qualifications and making artist selections. Selected artists will be notified shortly thereafter.
Budget
The artist fee for the project is a flat $2,000 per artist. ($1,500 for the commissioning of an original work of art, and $500 for the licensing of the artwork for reproduction purposes.)
Artists are expected to cover all expenses for materials, supplies, labor, photography, and equipment needed to complete and ship/deliver their artwork and a high-quality digital photograph of it for reproduction purposes. The fee also includes compensation for licensing the Arts Council to reproduce the artwork as part of the project, including the aforementioned print media. Neither the Arts Council nor the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will profit directly from any reproductions of the artist’s work.
All original “Welcome Race Fans” artworks should be for sale. The Arts Council staff will make every effort to try to sell the artwork during the program, and will not take a commission if artwork is sold. Artists will receive 100% of the sale price of the artwork. The Arts Council and Indianapolis Motor Speedway will direct potential patrons to WelcomeRaceFansIndy.org to learn more about you and your work.
Project Timeline
The project will follow this timeline:
November 28, 2018 - Request for Qualifications Released
January 14, 2019, 5 p.m. EST - Request for Qualifications Deadline
Week of January 28, 2019 - Arts Council Notifies Artists of Selection
Thru March 1, 2019
Sketch Review. Artists will send in preliminary sketches for approval. Turning in sketches earlier during this window is encouraged, as it will allow for more time for the artist to complete the final artwork.
April 1, 2019 - Completed “Welcome Race Fans” artworks are dropped off or shipped to the Arts Council office to arrive by this date.
Late April – May 2019 - “Welcome Race Fans” artworks are displayed in key Indianapolis locations and for the last two weeks in May will be installed at the Pagoda at the IMS. Print media and other artwork reproduction materials will be distributed or installed around the city.
May 26, 2019 - 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500
June 30, 2019 - Anticipated return of original artworks to artists
Submission Process
Artists must submit the following information via Dropbox.com or WeTransfer.com (Send the link or transfer to llord@indyarts.org):
All images should be professional quality photographs of your work. If you need a referral to a professional photographer who specializes in working with artists, please view the Artist Resources Directory at http://indyarts.org/resources/category/vendors-list
Delivery of Submissions
All required materials must be received by 5:00 pm (EST) on Monday, January 14, 2019. Send the link or transfer to llord@indyarts.org
Contact Information
Lindsey Lord
Artist Services and Special Projects Manager
llord@indyarts.org
317-631-3301
For more information about the Arts Council of Indianapolis, please visit www.indyarts.org.