$10,000 Art Commission Announced in Biddeford, Maine

Thread, a downtown development company dedicated to advancing community through revitalization, is sponsoring the $10,000 commission for a mural, installation, or combination of the two. The original piece is being commissioned for an exterior wall on their historic property at 265 Main Street in downtown Biddeford. Engine, a community arts organization in Biddeford, is assisting with coordinating and jurying the entries.

Photos of the property under renovations can be seen at on Thread’s Facebook page. Proposals and conceptual sketches for the project are now being accepted and must be received no later than September 30, 2011.

The mural, installation, or combination of the two being commissioned is for the east wall of the property. The wall is approximately 16.5-feet tall by 43.5-feet wide. Both 2-D and 3-D concepts, or a combination, will be considered. Proposals that utilize a greater portion of the east wall will be considered. Please visit Engine’s web site for photographs of the wall and for further specs.
The mural or installation may be traditional or contemporary in nature—the foremost criterion for selection is artistic excellence. The winning concept will likely show an understanding of and sensitivity toward the unique spirit of the building—originally a mercantile and then a furniture store fondly remembered as the Potter’s Building—and also of Biddeford, a former textile industry mecca currently in the throes of revitalization.

Only one proposal will be selected for the commission; two additional proposals will be chosen as finalists and publicized. Proposals must include conceptual sketches that are very close to what the final piece will resemble when executed.

AWARD
The winning proposal will receive a $10,000 payment, in negotiated allotments, to execute their proposal. The winning artist must be able to either execute or oversee the execution of their proposal. The winning artist will be asked to enter into a contractual agreement with Thread that outlines the project’s scope and deadlines.

SELECTION
A jury will include representatives from Thread, Engine, Maine College of Art, and the Maine Arts Commission.

SUBMIT
Respondents must submit:
1. Narrative proposal (two-page max)
2. Conceptual sketches (PDFs)
3. Budget
4. Resumé

Materials may be submitted via email to director@feedtheengine.org or by mail to:

Engine
41 Franklin Street #1
Biddeford, ME 04005

DEADLINE:
Proposals must be received by 5PM (EST) on September 30, 2011.

ELIGIBILITY
All artists residing in Maine and 18 years of age or older are eligible.

QUESTIONS
Tammy Ackerman, Executive Director of Engine
director@feedtheengine.org or 207/229-3560