Art on the Atlanta BeltLine Issues Open Call for Artists for 11th Season

Four separate calls invite submissions for visual and performing art, sculpture, residency program, and support positions

Art on the Atlanta BeltLine 10 year anniversary logoATLANTA – Art on the Atlanta BeltLine has released a call for artists for visual and performance art, sculpture, the residency program, and support positions. Now in its 11th season, Art on the Atlanta BeltLine is the largest temporary exhibition of its kind in the south.

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) runs the exhibition and associated arts and culture activities, which has brought visual and performing art to the Atlanta BeltLine’s parks and trails since 2010. In 2019, Art on the Atlanta BeltLine launched its inaugural residency program, the first ever public art residency program in the City of Atlanta.

The Atlanta BeltLine seeks equity and inclusion across all programmatic elements, including Art on the Atlanta BeltLine. Art on the Atlanta BeltLine is committed to paying artists a living wage for their work and to providing arts and culture jobs in the local economy and beyond. Across all program elements, the success of the Atlanta Beltline depends on creating and preserving affordability; reducing residential, commercial and cultural displacement; reducing racial and economic disparities; promoting transit and connectivity; empowering BeltLine communities for the future; and ultimately improving the overall quality of life for all BeltLine residents.

Each of the four open calls can be downloaded at art.beltline.org/opencall. Details on each are as follows:

#1: Open Call for Artists and Arts Professionals

Visual artists, performers, musicians, lecturers, and art historians at every stage of their careers to apply for the 2020-2021 exhibition season.

Potential project proposals could include, but are not limited to: performance works of all kinds, such as street and travelling performers, parade, music, dance, theater, and performance art; utilization of fences or screening devices; murals; school or class projects; historical or didactic works; projects that promote exploration of Atlanta BeltLine trails; organizational collaborations; sculpture opportunities (separate call for submissions); work that is reflective of the culture and history of BeltLine neighborhoods, amplifies local history, and elevates voices and narratives that have historically been marginalized.

Submitting artists will apply to have their work featured in any of the following components of the exhibition:

  • BeltLine Walls Volume 3 (Murals) – Artists will work on their walls side-by-side for two weeks, culminating in a grand reveal and community celebration.
  • BeltLine Flow (Performance Series) – Artists are invited to perform along the Atlanta BeltLine corridor throughout the timeframe of the exhibition. These are designed to act as a pop-up style events to creatively activate and celebrate the corridor in many locations.
  • BeltLine Spaces (Sculpture Exhibition) – See separate category below.
  • BeltLine After Dark x Music (Festival) – This annual festival celebrates the communities and spaces along the BeltLine Westside Trail. Artists are invited to submit proposals to activate the Westside Trail and welcome the autumn season. ABI will host events concurrently at Gordon White Park, Washington Park, and the Atlanta BeltLine space in Historic Ashview Heights. Previous seasons have included concerts, ballet, theater, opera and interactive roving performances.
  • Special Projects / Guest Exhibitions – Atlanta arts and culture organizations are invited to submit proposals that use the Atlanta BeltLine to show their work/project, including hosting a pop-up event, or any other exciting ideas.
  • Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade – Musicians who wish to be included in the 2020 Lantern Parade should contact Chantelle Rytter directly at c@chantellerytter.com.

#2: Open Call for BeltLine Spaces / Sculpture Exhibition

Sculptures, installation and 3D artists at every stage of their careers are invited to apply for the 2020-2021 exhibition season. Historic, environmental, cultural, functional, urban design, and/or aesthetic aspects of the Atlanta BeltLine are good starting points to consider for potential proposal submissions. Selected works will be exhibited up to two years.

Potential project proposals could include, but are not limited to: temporary art – sculptural or visual installations; gateway or entrance works; works traversing an Atlanta BeltLine trail; monumental works; interactive works; environmental works; loan of existing artwork, such as sculptures or assemblages; work that is reflective of the culture and history of Beltline neighborhoods, amplifies local history, and elevates voices and narratives that have historically been marginalized.

Proposed works need to consider the geography, topography, and scale of one or more of the identified BeltLine Spaces locations on the Atlanta BeltLine trails, which can be found on the BeltLine Sculpture Site Map. Concrete pads are limited, and artists are encouraged to consider creative alternatives for both installation and visual integration into the landscape. Successful projects will be additive and not reductive to the landscape.

#3: Open Call for Residency Program

ABI is accepting applications for residency positions that provide invaluable 12 month exposure to qualified respondents. The Atlanta BeltLine residency program is designed to offer real-world exposure operating within the realm of public art and infrastructure. Unlike collegiate or gallery residencies that operate within the structure and stricture of those prescribed spaces and audiences, the public realm presents many unique challenges including, but not limited to: responsibilities to multiple audiences simultaneously, community place keeping and empowerment, space and environment, and the many components of the civic system including permitting, ordinances, and governmental offices.

The program seeks qualified individuals to fill the following roles: Scholar-in-Residence, Curator-in-Residence, and Artist-in-Residence. The selected participants will have access to ABI’s staff and its facilities to complete the objectives of the Atlanta BeltLine residency program.

#4: Open Call for Exhibit Support Positions

ABI will also be seeking to fill five support positions for the duration of the 2020-2021 exhibition. Positions include foreman, conservator, documentarian (photography and videography), arts administrator, and Family Paint Day facilitator. These positions may be required to support one or all components of the exhibition as outlined above. Please see the open call for a list of desired experience and anticipated responsibilities.

Artists’ Information Sessions

Artists and professionals are invited to join ABI staff for several information sessions at various locations throughout March and April. These public meetings will provide additional information about the process and allow attendees to ask questions. Please visit art.beltline.org/events for schedule.

Art on the Atlanta BeltLine Jury

Every complete proposal will be evaluated by a jury panel. The criteria and numeric system are concept (25 points), artist’s merit / quality (20 points), feasibility (20 points), performance (15 points), and community engagement (20 points).

Jury panelists for the program come from a diverse cross-section of members of the Atlanta arts and culture community, including art historians, performers, sculptors, painters, arts administrators, as well as Atlanta BeltLine staff. A call for volunteer jury members will be published this spring.

Additional Information

For complete guidelines on all four calls, please visit art.beltline.org/opencall.

Historic, environmental, cultural, functional, urban design, and/or aesthetic aspects of the Atlanta BeltLine are good starting points to consider for potential proposal submissions. Projects are expected to be well-researched, well-planned, and feasible.

Proposals and applications are due by 5 p.m. EST on April 24, 2020. Electronic submissions should be submitted to art.beltline.org or by email to mkyle@atlbeltline.org for arts and art professionals, sculptors, and residency applicants. Submissions may also be mailed to:

Art on the Atlanta BeltLine
ATTN: Miranda Kyle
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
100 Peachtree St. NW, Suite 2300
Atlanta, GA 30303

Those applying for support positions should submit online to art.beltline.org or to the attention of Subrena Clark, procurement manager, at ABI’s mailing address above.

Stay abreast of Art on the Atlanta BeltLine announcements and events at art.beltline.org, or follow us on social media:

Facebook: ArtontheAtlantaBeltLine
Twitter: @atlantabeltline
Instagram: @AtlantaBeltLine and @AtlantaBeltLineArt

The 2019-2020 Art on the Atlanta BeltLine exhibition is presented by Northside Hospital, Georgia Natural Gas, and Ponce City Market. Additional sponsors include Park Tavern at the Gold level; Kroger at the Silver level; Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, MailChimp, WarnerMedia, and Uber at the Bronze level; and Flashpoint Artists Initiative, Inman Park Neighborhood Association and Michael Ross | Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s at the Patron level.

Major support for this project is provided by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. This project is also supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

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About the Atlanta BeltLine

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.’s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.

About Art on the Atlanta BeltLine

Art on the Atlanta BeltLine is the largest temporary public art exhibition in the history of Atlanta. It showcases the work of hundreds of visual artists, performers, and musicians along the Atlanta BeltLine corridor. This spectacular project places working professionals alongside emerging artists and draws residents and visitors into some of the most unique public spaces in the City of Atlanta, providing powerful perspectives on the city and its vibrant neighborhoods. The exhibition showcases how art strengthens and beautifies current and former industrial areas and creates signature spaces exemplifying the transformation of the city through the Atlanta BeltLine. Art on the Atlanta BeltLine touches almost 20 intown communities.

3 thoughts on this article. Join the discussion below

    1. Hi Antonio – we hope to have the call for artists out later this month or February. We’ll be sure to announce it on our website and social media!
      ~Jenny

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