INTRODUCTION
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) invites local Charlotte area artists and designers to submit their qualifications to create artwork for a bus wrap celebrating diversity and cultural inclusion in Charlotte.
The selected artist will be paid $4,000 total for their approved design. The deadline to apply is March 17, 2024, by 11:59 p.m. EDT. There is no fee to apply. Artists of all backgrounds and experience levels are strongly encouraged to apply. Please do not submit design proposals.
From the applications, the City of Charlotte will select at least 1 artist for this project. Additionally, all applications will be separately considered to create a pool of prequalified artists to be kept on file for a period of 3 years for future vehicle wrap projects. Those accepted into the pool will be notified via email. Acceptance into the pool does not guarantee a future commission.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The project goal is for the selected artist to create a design that encompasses and celebrates the rich cultural diversity of Charlotte representing all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, disabilities, veteran status, etc. The artist should consider their designs will be made for a moving vehicle seen primarily by transit patrons and the public. The two long sides and back of the bus should be considered the canvas for the wrap, and none of the sides should be the same design. The design will need to be converted into digital files capable of being applied to a CATS bus. The bus will be in circulation throughout CATS service area for approximately one calendar year.
ELIGIBILITY & QUALIFICATIONS
Visual artists and designers living and/or working in the CATS service area (including Gaston County, Cabarrus County, Union County, and York County) are eligible to apply. Emerging artists and historically underrepresented artists are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants living outside of the area demonstrating a connection to indigenous cultures of the Charlotte region can request exception. The selected artist will be required to register as a vendor with the City.
BUDGET
The art budget is $4,000 and is intended to cover all artist fees, materials, labor, full-scale file delivery, and any other expenses. $500 will be deliverable upon acceptance of the conceptual proposal and $3,500 upon final approved design. The City of Charlotte will negotiate a letter of agreement with the artist based on a defined scope of work. The City will hire a fabricator to fabricate and install the art. This project is funded by the City of Charlotte.
ARTIST SELECTION & CRITERIA
A selection committee comprised of a diverse group of CATS/City employees and art professionals will select the artist for this project. The committee will review submissions and evaluate artists based on qualifications observed in the following:
- Aesthetic ability and experience of previous work (large format projects a plus) - 50%
- Statement of Interest clearly illustrating how the artist could reflect cultural inclusion in their art and noting any meaningful personal connections to the Charlotte area or a particular demographic - 40%
- Demonstrated ability to work on budget and on schedule - 10%
SCOPE OF WORK & PROJECT SCHEDULE
CATS will provide detailed design specifications, a bus template, and file formatting requirements for the artwork to the selected artist. The selected artist will then develop and submit a conceptual proposal packet including: an artist statement about the artwork, images of the art, and a mockup showing the art fitting within the provided design template. The conceptual proposal will be reviewed, and the committee will provide feedback on the designs. The artist will then provide final designs addressing committee feedback including: a final artist statement about the artwork, final full-scale files (high-res or vector-based), and an image showing the final designs on the bus template.
An estimated project schedule is included below:
Call for Artists - February 16 – March 17, 2024
Deadline for Artists Submission - March 17, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. EDT
Artist Selection/Notification/Agreement - March 18 – April 5, 2024
Conceptual Design - April 2024
Final Design/File Development - May 2024
Full-scale Files Deliver by Date - May 31, 2024
Fabrication & Installation - June 2024
TO APPLY
Applications must be received online by 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 17, 2024.
