Albany International Airport Art & Culture Program

The Albany International Airport’s Art & Culture Program seeks to facilitate the installation of three new, temporary site-responsive installations in 2023 through an initial call for artists’ portfolios, from which finalists will be selected by a review committee to offer proposals. Commissions will be awarded by the Airport for development and installation in 2023.

ABOUT THE ALBANY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ART & CULTURE PROGRAM
The Art & Culture Program elevates the experience of Albany Airport travelers through the presentation of temporary works of art throughout the terminal. Since 1998, it has served as a showcase for the arts throughout New York’s Capital Region as well as a resource for discovering local culture. Through temporary exhibitions presented in the Albany International Airport Gallery and Concourse A Gallery, the Exhibition Case Program, and terminal-wide, large-scale sculpture installations, the Art & Culture Program extends the reach of area artists and museums to an audience of more than three million people each year.

OVERVIEW
Artists and artist teams are invited to submit images representing recent works along with supporting materials, from which finalists will be selected to propose large-scale public installation projects to remain on view for 3-5 years. Artists awarded commissions will work with airport staff to meet necessary budget, code and engineering compliance requirements for each project.

SITES
In 2023, the intended sites are located on Concourse B of the terminal, which is post-security. These consist of three 12 ft. overhead round apertures, which permit works that are suspended. The below artworks are currently installed at the sites.

ELIGIBILITY
Applicants should live and/or maintain a workspace within 100 miles of Albany, NY and not be currently enrolled in a college or university. The Airport encourages applicants from across the creative spectrum, and welcomes those from traditionally underrepresented groups. Applicants who are selected as finalists must appear for an on-site tour as part of the proposal process. Previous experience with public art projects is helpful but not required.

SELECTION PROCESS
A review committee composed of regional arts professionals will select finalists from portfolio submissions based upon artistic merit and demonstrated history of successful design and implementation of large-scale projects. Finalists’ proposals will be reviewed by the same committee, with advisement by airport representatives in the executive, engineering and planning departments.

BUDGET
Each Ceiling Well site will have a total project budget of $5,000. The commission for each site will be awarded to one artist, or artist team, and is inclusive of all design fees, materials, fabrication, travel and transportation expenses.

ARTIST SCOPE OF WORK
Finalists will receive detailed site renderings and specifications, a stipend of $250, and must attend an in-person tour. Finalists will be provided with a proposal checklist to ensure that all necessary descriptive elements are included for evaluation. The review committee may request an artist interview.

Artists awarded commissions will work with the airport to develop a timeline for the production and installation of their project, to include mid-point and final studio visits.

Artists awarded commissions will be responsible for the design, fabrication, and transportation of their work. The airport will provide staff and equipment necessary to install the artwork with the artist’s direction.

CONTENT AND MATERIAL CONSIDERATIONS
The sites open for consideration do not permit electronic components, so submissions centered in video, audio, or electronic activation are discouraged. The final commissions for suspended works must be fabricated in durable materials and installed to adhere to local code and engineering requirements. In accordance with common public art standards, the airport does not present artwork that includes nudity, overt political references, provocative language, violence and natural or human-made disaster imagery.

VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION
Artists are encouraged to attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 4pm, prior to portfolio submission.
Click here to access the Zoom link.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Portfolios must be submitted through the following online portal: Slideroom Portal

Deadline is 11:59 pm on March 3.         

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS          
1. Current résumé or CV with contact information
2. Up to ten images of recent work, with corresponding titles, materials, dates, dimensions, location of artwork in image if relevant
3. Artist statement – a broad overview of your work
4. Technical statement – a more focused description of how your work is made and presented, including materials, structure and assembly processes

TIMELINE
February 15: Zoom info session
March 3: Portfolios due
March 24: Finalists notified
March 27-April 14: Artist site visits
May 5: Proposals due
May 31: Commissions announced
October 2 – Dec 29: Installation

CONTACT
Kathy Greenwood,
Director of Exhibitions and Programs
kgreenwood@albanyairport.com