Artist in Residence Request for Proposals

2021-2022 Artist in Residence Program

The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) continues its Artist-in-Residence Program in 2021 to support its Vision Statement: MOSH is an ideas lab that nurtures innovation in the sciences, arts and humanities. We create a dynamic platform for learning, helping to connect and build a global community. MOSH provides an interactive and engaging experience that ignites and fuels natural curiosity across all walks of life and generations. MOSH champions a culture of environmental and fiscal stewardship coupled with social responsibility.

Mission Statement: The Museum of Science & History inspires the joy of lifelong learning by bringing to life the sciences and regional history.

Program Description

As part of the program, an Artist in Residence will design a public project to share his/her work with the local community and contribute an original work for the benefit of the museum.

Throughout 2022, MOSH will celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the founding of Jacksonville via a yearlong exhibits and programming initiative, Bold City Bicentennial: Progress & Perseverance through 200 years of Jacksonville’s History. The 2021-2022 Artist-in-Residence will be tasked with creating a signature work of art that encapsulates the spirit of Jacksonville, celebrates the Bicentennial anniversary, and inspires guests to think about what the next 200 years of Jacksonville may look like.

This artwork will need to:

• Draw on the core themes of progress, perseverance, and change over time as related to Jacksonville’s history
• Incorporate elements inspired by Jacksonville’s natural, cultural, and innovative sectors
• Engage people’s sense of curiosity and stimulate their imagination
• Appeal to multiple senses and audiences
• Be easily maintained, with any replacement parts being readily available
• Be able to be easily dismantled and reinstalled
• Expect to have a shelf life of at least ten years
• Be completed by June 1, 2022

Expectations

The Artist in Residence will be expected to:

• Consult regularly with a group of selected MOSH staff. Although much of the work, aside from final assembly and installation, would be done outside of the Museum, the residency is a collaborative process
• Provide elevations, a materials list and a fabrication plan
• Order all materials and fabricate necessary elements of the work
• Oversee the installation of the completed artwork
• Provide all necessary materials for an artist statement to be shared online and in-gallery

Proposals

Proposals will be accepted from individual artists working alone or artists who lead a team of collaborators. Artists are encouraged to make an appointment to see the installation space.

Proposals should include the following elements:

• A letter of Intent from the artist(s), including contact information
• A conceptual design for the work of art
• A narrative description of the work of art, including materials and technologies to be used

Proposals should be submitted no later than November 15, 2021.  Selection will be made by December 2, 2021.  The artist should expect periodic meetings to discuss and review progress.

Compensation and Recognition

MOSH provides the winning artist with a total award of $7,500, including materials.  The allocation of funds between materials and labor is the responsibility of the artist.

• An Artist Statement and brief bio will accompany the artwork and be on public view.
• MOSH will issue a press release and newsletter article about the artist’s work.
• MOSH will promote the artwork on social media – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
• The artist will be featured for a year on the Local Art page of MOSH’s website.