Below is the full text for the Call for Art. I got involved as Chairman of the Alaska State Council on the Arts Contemporary Art Bank because I wanted to know more about the program and find out why my work is not represented. I found out that the Art Bank has not had a call for art for many years due to lack of funding. Fortunately there are a small amount of funds available now and we plan to include new artists work in the Art Bank. Unfortunately, I can’t apply because it is a conflict of interest, so now I know why my work is not included. I encourage all Alaska artists to submit.
Gail Niebrugge, Vice President Board of Directors, Alaska State Council on the Arts
The Alaska Contemporary Art Bank (ACAB) was founded in 1975 by the Alaska State Council on the Arts. It was created to address two primary concerns: to expose more Alaskans to high quality work by contemporary Alaskan artists through the loaning of original art to public offices throughout Alaska, and to provide support to professional artists in Alaska through purchase of their work. The collection has grown to more than 600 art works in a wide variety of media, styles and subject matter. Although the art is the same as that collected by museums, the purpose of the Art Bank is to provide a circulating collection of artwork with the primary goals of education and exhibition of Alaskan art in public areas other than museums.
The ACAB is implementing it’s first call for art since 2001, from which artworks will be selected for purchase by the ACSA’s Visual Arts Advisory Committee. The VAAC is a statewide group of artists and arts administrators who meet periodically to advise the Arts Council in policy and acquisition. Selections are then recommended to the Arts Council for purchase. Artwork is purchased from the artist, not an intermediary entity such as a gallery or agent. VAAC and Arts Council members are ineligible to apply for Art Bank acquisitions under State of Alaska Regulations.
Art Bank artworks are selected for loan to display in public areas in State owned and operated buildings, University of Alaska departments, the State Legislature and in the offices of the Alaskan members of the U. S. Congress. Artwork must be durable, appropriate for public areas, and will have labels identifying the artist (ASCA provided).
All Alaskan artists are encouraged to apply.
Applications will be through CaFE (https://www.callforentry.org/index.php), and the VAAC will review all applications. Priority will be given to artists who are not currently represented in the collection, but not limited to those artists. To see an example of previous Art Bank purchases, visit www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca and click on: Alaska Contemporary Art Bank. ASCA will use the artists listed in CAFÉ as an Artist’s Registry so that we can keep them informed of upcoming artist opportunities.
Qualifications:
• Must be an Alaskan resident, or an Alaskan resident at time the work was created
• Work must have been created in the last five years
• All applications must be through CaFE; no paper applications accepted
Considerations:
• All media will be considered, but priority may be given by the committee to types of works most in demand by the loan program at any given time.
• Work must be durable due to the demand of shipping and display in public areas; 2-D works must be framed with hanging devices and 3-D works must be self-supporting
• Imagery must be generally suitable for display in public buildings
• Purchase price is set by the artist, but priority will be given to works under a set price ($4,000)
Artists can submit up to 6 images of artwork that are available for purchase.
ASCA will pay for shipping of artworks selected for Alaska Contemporary Art Bank purchase by method determined by ASCA; artist will be responsible for packing and insuring transportation.
Deadline for applications is 9:59 PM Alaska Standard time, Sunday February 28, 2010. Artists will be notified of acceptance by March 31, 2010 (tentative).
Ms Niebrugge —
Thanks for getting involved in this and for trying to move more of the money it seems ASCA winds up leaving on the table.
I had a few questions during the teleconference that were deflected. If you care to perhaps you can respond.
I could only find information on the FY08 VAAC membership. Are the same people still involved on the panel?
There was no total budget for the call listed on the prospectus. Has there been an accounting of the amount available by statute? There should be a rather large accumulation of funds after nearly a decade including some of the largest capital budgets in AK history.
Why is it, if this is the first call since 2001, that only works newer than 2005 are eligible?
How do administrators and panelists view the various works? As thumbnails, one at a time at actual size, together in front of a projection or individually at the coffee house on their laptop? Does everyone submit favorites to the group or etc.
Thanks for any attention you give this, nice to see your blog going. I ended ArtSceneAK over a year ago.
Sincerely, DRR
Hi Donald;
You have many good questions. I have been working on the VAAC for two years, most of it through teleconference and haven’t met a lot of the panel in person yet. The panel membership has stayed the same for quite awhile with the addition of me and recently new State Arts Council Board member Jinx Whittaker (former owner of New Horizons Gallery) from Fairbanks.
We haven’t made a decision on the budget for the first call yet but it will be roughly half of the total budget, Andrea Noble of the ASCA has the figures give her a call. The amount is not large, ASCA has had its budget cut over the years. All budget information is public and available at the ASCA office.
We want to do this acquisition in two calls, one this year and one next, mainly to test out the Cafe system to see how well it works.
The committee made the decision to limit the call to recent work completed during the last 5 years to create a guideline for future calls. This seems fair and is commonly used for other calls with other arts agencies.
We will view the works using the Cafe system on our own computers from our own offices or homes. I have not done this before, nor have most of the committee. Again, Andrea Noble can answer this for you, she has used the system. This is a big learning curve for artists and panel alike, we think the Cafe system will be very efficient and beneficial for all Alaska artists including those who live in remote bush communities. If the panel doesn’t like the system, we will meet face to face to finalize our choices. From all accounts people seem to be pleased with how it works.
Thank you for your questions. I am just a lowly volunteer and don’t have all the answers. It is best to approach to the paid staff at the ASCA with your questions. If you have any problems, let me know.
Thanks, Gail
i am an active artist looking for a fine studio for my self and to learn how real artist work and to stay a machured artist and also build a great since of knowing i can help my country work togeather.