Artists Sought for Gainbridge Fieldhouse Art Program

Gainbridge Fieldhouse, located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana and the home of the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever basketball teams, is consistently recognized as one of the most iconic and best facilities in the NBA, as well as a world-class sports and event venue that hosts nearly 2 million visitors each year. The three-year Fieldhouse of the Future renovation project preserves what fans love about the building while upgrading technology, enhancing its exterior and interior, providing amazing outdoor gathering spaces for year-round events and indoor areas for fans to socialize, and creating a “premium for everyone” fan experience for now and into the future. The Fieldhouse of the Future project began in 2020 and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2022.

Part of the renovation includes the solicitation and commissioning of artwork for the new Key Bank Suites level, as well as the Main Concourse and the Balcony levels. The artwork program’s intention is to tell key stories about Indiana basketball, Indianapolis, the Pacers and the Fever, and Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Arts Council of Indianapolis is looking to involve artists in the following ways:

• Purchases of existing, original artwork for installation
• License fees for high-quality images of existing artwork (physical or digital), to be reproduced at varying scales or incorporated into larger compositions
• Commissions of new artwork, to be created on a moderate scale and licensed for exact reproduction at large scale
• Commissions of new, original artwork intended to be framed and installed
• Commissions of new, site-specific mural artwork to be executed onsite by the artist, including a graffiti mural in the Team Store (this will be the first project commissioned)

Please see the attached Call for Artists for important details about this program, the stories being told, and the nature of the opportunities as well as full instructions about how to apply.

Apply online:

• Opportunities for purchases, licenses, or commissions

ELIGIBILITY

Artists participating in this program must have a strong connection to Indiana, in one or more of the following ways:

• Live in Indiana at the time of application, with the reasonable expectation of continuing to live in Indiana for at least one year after being identified for the project
• Born and/or raised in Indiana, if not living in Indiana currently
• Educated at an Indiana-based college or university

Artists under 18 are encouraged to apply, but if they are selected, they must have a parent or legal guardian enter into an agreement on their behalf.

BUDGET

The total art budget is $350,000.  22 potential locations have been identified, but not all may receive artwork.

DATES AND DEADLINES

• August 25, 2021: Application opportunity launched
• October 10, 2021 11:59 p.m.:  Deadline to suggest existing artworks for purchase or license
• October 31, 2021 11:59 p.m.: Deadline to apply for other commissioning opportunities within the Fieldhouse
• by December 31, 2021: Purchases installed
• Summer 2022: Commissioned projects installed

OTHER INFORMATION

This opportunity is best suited for artists with 2D and graphic experience and skills.

Approaches that include original, mixed media artworks with limited (less than 3” depth) 3D elements may be acceptable for some locations. Other locations may be able to accommodate elements up to 5” depth. However, this is not primarily a sculptural opportunity.

Artworks included in the program will be:

• Contemporary in feeling
• Primarily representational and narrative in nature

Photographic approaches may be appropriate for some stories and locations.

Framed print suites may be appropriate for some stories and locations.

Highly representational or interpretive portraiture of players, coaches, and other key figures may be appropriate for some stories and locations.

Review the commissioning agreement terms here. Artists may be required to provide evidence of liability insurance, based on the nature of the work being done.

WHAT TO PROVIDE

1. Artist contact information: name, address, email, phone number, social media, website
2. Information about your experience as an artist
3. Information about your connection to Indiana
4. Images of past work (if looking for a commission for new work), or images of existing artworks suggested for purchase or license
5. Demographic information (optional to provide, but highly recommended)

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online (forms are friendly to smartphones and tablets):

• Purchases, Licenses, and Commissions (deadlines October 10 and October 31, both 11:59 p.m.)
  • TIP! For purchases and licenses, review the story outline to make sure you're suggesting work that fits into one of the established stories being told through the art program
• Can't apply online? Call the Arts Council for assistance! (317) 624-2556

QUESTIONS? 

• View the recorded artist workshop! (due to the public health emergency, workshops are held virtually)
• Set an appointment to talk about your work and your application! View Julia Moore's calendar here. Click on any date and choose your best time and meeting method.
• Can't make the available appointment times? Call Julia at (317) 624-2556 or email jmoore@indyarts.org and we'll work something out!