Art Competition Offers $44,000 for Westbrook Middle School Project

The Maine Arts Commission is making a call to artists from the international community, with a preference for Maine artists, to submit proposals to design, create and install art work at the Westbrook Middle School. The project has a budget of $44,000 and a submission deadline of September 7, 2009.

The new school is located on the site of a former 18th century house where an archeological dig was conducted. The historical nature of the site is of great importance and will be incorporated into the school curriculum.

In direct contrast to this history the new school incorporates very modern geo-thermal heating and cooling systems; it also boasts light harvesting features and innovative green technology. Furthermore, the school has invested in sophisticated computer technology including a large flat screen monitor installed in the atrium.

The Percent for Art committee is seeking a single artist or artist team to create artwork that reflects the historical, social, and environmental values of the project. The available locations for the work(s) are a two-story atrium that is the central corridor of the building and the exterior/interior areas of both the auditorium and main entrances. The atrium space is the area where all students and visitor pass to reach all areas of the building. There is abundant natural light that could be an active element in the artwork. Suspended artworks will be considered. A large, flat screen monitor in this space may be used by the artist(s) for multi-media art.
Full details of this competition, including application guideline, are available on MaineArts.com.