This session demystifies the public art proposal process. Artists will learn how to craft a strong conceptual narrative, integrate technical feasibility, develop a preliminary budget, and effectively communicate concepts to stakeholders. We will consider challenges and opportunities for designing in the public art context including ways that artists can navigate meeting client needs while retaining their artistic voice. The session will include samples and tips as well as a review of real-world RFPs.
Sarah Rara’s multi-disciplinary practice— including video, sound, performance, and writing— explores the position of witness within fragile systems, and the socio-political and personal dimensions of sensing technologies. Their work considers gender, queerness, technology, disability, and illness in connection with environmental research. They are a primary organizer of the ongoing project lucky dragons (2005-present). Their work, solo and in collaboration, has been presented at such institutions as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Hammer Museum, the Centre Georges Pompidou, Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, London’s Institute for Contemporary Art, PS1 in New York, REDCAT and Human Resources in Los Angeles, MOCA Los Angeles, the 54th Venice Biennale, Documenta 14 in Athens, and the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, among others. Rara is Assistant Professor of Moving Image at Williams College.