Call for Artists: White River State Park Sculpture Program

White River State Park Seeks Submissions for Outdoor Sculpture Program

White River State Park is pleased to announce that it will continue to support an exterior sculpture exhibit program. The primary purpose of this exhibition is to enhance the artistic and cultural opportunities within the state. It is hoped that residents and visitors to Indiana's capital city will appreciate and become engaged in the visual dialogue of these contemporary sculptures. Each cycle, the Park has continued to make changes to the program. The program is now open to any sculptor in Indiana or the Midwest and the Commission will pay up to a maximum of $5,000 to help with transporting the sculpture to and from Indianapolis (mileage and receipts must be provided). In addition, the park will pay an honorarium of $5,000.

The Park will continue to display at least six, large-scale exterior sculptures reflecting diversity of materials, approaches and content on the Old Washington Street Bridge (now a pedestrian walkway connecting venues on the east and west sides of the river) in White River State Park. Rather than change out all of the sculptures every two years, they are now going to only change out two or three sculptures every year and the period of time the work will be displayed will be for 3 years. The Park is the only urban state park in the country and is located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. The New York Times has referred to the Park as "Indianapolis' version of the Mall in Washington." In addition to acres of green spaces the Park is home to six major tourist attractions. Over 3 million people visit the Park each year.

The work must be constructed of materials able to endure the conditions of an outdoor exhibition. The sculptures must be suitable for public display and not present safety issues.

Artists must be 18 years or older. Each selected artist will be awarded a $5,000 honorarium for his or her participation. In addition, the Park will pay up to a maximum of $5,000 in expenses to help transport the sculpture to and from Indianapolis (mileage and receipts must be provided) and the installation and removal of the piece from the Park. White River State Park carries property/physical limited insurance on the sculptures only; however, you must also insure the sculpture for any damage that may be incurred by weather or other acts of God. The Park will provide assistance for installation and dismantling. Artists will receive sign recognition near the sculpture.

Schedule: electronic images on a CD of pieces of art available for exhibition must be postmarked no later than Friday, December 9, 2011. Selected artists will be notified by January 13, 2012. Installation of work must be completed by April 13, 2012. Exhibition ends March 2015.

The submissions will be screened by a committee of individuals who are recognized in the field of contemporary art and art in public places, as well as representatives of White River State Park Commission and staff.

Please provide with your application electronic images of pieces available for the exhibition taken from several different views, labeled with name, medium, dimensions, and date and an image annotation script. If it is a work in progress, please submit a sketch or drawing; the drawing should be specific as to the material and color to be used in the pieces. The work must, however, be completed and installed by April 13, 2012. The Park reserves the right to not accept sculptures that are not completed and installed by this date. Please also provide a resume and an artist's vision and thoughts in creating the sculpture. Submissions will be returned if a self-addressed stamped envelope is provided. Please send the requested information to: Malia Fledderman, White River State Park, 801 West Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

For additional information, please contact Donna Imus at theimusgroup@mac.com or (317) 636-1420.