The City of West Hollywood’s Art on the Outside (AOTO) program funds the temporary display of rotating exhibitions of art at publicly accessible locations that include but are not limited to parks, traffic medians, and communal areas of City-owned facilities. Artworks exhibited through this program include sculpture, murals, digital screen-based artwork and projections, and performance art. Most exhibitions remain on display for a duration of 6 months to 3 years, depending on the concept, construction, and location of the approved artwork.

While proposals for new artworks are eligible for review, the AOTO program is best suited to realizing exhibitions of prefabricated artworks that can be installed at the approved site without extensive modification. This is due in large part to funding limitations of the program and prohibitive costs associated with fabricating unrealized artwork suitable for outdoor display.

DEADLINE: Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2024 at 5:00pm (PT)

ELIGIBILITY
This is an open call to individual artists, curators, and non-profit arts organizations based in the United States for exhibitions of emerging, mid-career, and established artists.

BUDGET
Proposals should include a comprehensive budget including cost estimates for artist/curator fee(s), preparation of artworks for exhibition, transportation of art elements, preparation of written exhibition didactics and labels, electrical engineering fees, structural engineering fees, and installation and de-installation services. Artist budgets should also include cost estimates relating to the maintenance and upkeep of the proposed artwork over the proposed exhibition’s duration while on City property. Any maintenance requirements above and beyond the removal of graffiti by City facilities staff should be considered a part of the artist’s responsibility while the exhibition is displayed on City property and factored into the submitted budget calculations to the best of one’s ability. The City will provide professional graphic design services for the signage and didactic material to accompany the exhibition.

The City of West Hollywood typically receives more project proposals than there are available funds. The average project budget supported by the Art on the Outside program is $8,000. Project budgets significantly higher than this figure are still eligible for consideration. However, due to the City’s desire to fund a number of diverse projects each year, exhibition proposals requiring more than $8,000 of City funding may be viewed as less competitive unless the applicant demonstrates a realistic plan for securing project funds from other sources.

For full project information please see the commission portal link, or visit the City of West Hollywood's project page.