Are you ready?

Today we announced the deadline for applying to the Public Art Accelerator Cohort Five and we can’t wait to receive your application. Below are some pro tips and recently asked questions (with answers!) to get you ready. Still have more questions? Click here for other FAQs or register for one of our upcoming drop-in Zoom sessions:

  • Tuesday, June 7

  • Thursday, June 16,

  • Wednesday, June 22

  • Wednesday, July 13

Q: WHAT ARE THREE THINGS I SHOULD FOCUS ON FIRST?

  • Consider why hands-on support, resources, and the cohort experience of the Accelerator could benefit your practice at this moment. (Psst, it’s one of the questions!),

  • Select images that demonstrate you’re ready to create a project outside — it’s ok if you haven’t yet, but show us projects that were complicated to produce, and,

  • Get in touch with a collaborator, mentor, teacher, or colleague for a reference.

  • References are due at the same time as your application and are auto-generated from Slideroom. PRO TIP: Start an application on Slideroom now and ask for a reference now to give them a few weeks! 

Q: AM I ELIGIBLE IF I’VE NOT MADE PUBLIC ART YET?

A: Yes! Anyone is free to apply and we are interested in supporting artists who can demonstrate that they’re ready to make the leap to exterior work. Many past Accelerator Artists like Daniela Rivera and Samantha Fields had never created public art before this program.

Q: HOW FAST IS “FAST-PACED”?

A: The Accelerator experience is 16 months total, from September 2022 to October 2023, and trust us, it goes by quickly! Between September and December 2022 artists are expected to participate in 12 of the 14 workshops which typically run 3 hours long with assignments in between. During this time we cover intellectually and creatively rigorous topics as varied as insurance, theories of public engagement, and critiques of past works. Artists also develop a public art proposal during this time. The Implementation Phase, January 2023 to October 2023 is a self-directed time for artists to perform R&D and expand their projects with community feedback. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider how much time they have to apply themselves to the demands of the schedule. Artists who succeed in the Accelerator are self-motivated.