Open Call for Artists

Call for Artists: Who Are Our Neighbors? Art Project

Sharing Sacred Spaces in partnership with Thanks-Giving Foundation and its Dallas community consortium of partners invite local artists to participate in the Who Are Our Neighbors? Art Project—an innovative public art initiative that celebrates diverse community exemplars and bridge builders and fosters meaningful connections across Dallas communities.

Who are the “neighbors”? Within the context of this initiative, neighbors are persons who have worked to stitch North Texas together across lines of division, difference, or hostility and have acted with compassion and love. Neighbors are therefore not activists per se, who fight for a cause. Rather, neighbors are exemplars; they are people who encourage and facilitate understanding and compassion across differences and divisiveness. They provide a platform or a space where people with extreme viewpoints come together and build mutual understanding. Importantly, neighbors are bridge-builders who go beyond their ideologies and identities to build peace and harmony in the community.

We are seeking proposals from artists to create interactive and engaging artworks inspired by the stories of exemplary individuals who represent distinct Dallas communities. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a public art exhibit designed to inspire dialogue, inclusivity, and healing through artistic expression.

Applying to the Initiative: Proposal Guidelines

There are two phases for applying to this initiative.

Phase 1: Determining your Neighbor story.

If you, as the artist, have a particular neighbor you would like to highlight for your artwork, you may submit a detailed story and profile of that person to our online portal here for feedback and/or approval. Please note that all stories must be approved in advance before your proposal for your artwork is submitted. To ensure privacy, all stories you submit will be kept confidential during the proposal period, until winning artists are announced. Let us know that you are an artist applying when you submit your exemplar story.

Alternatively, you may review our collection of stories already collected, and you may choose one of those for your artwork.

Phase 2: Submit an Art Proposal

Your proposal should include:

A. The selected neighbor’s story.

B. A detailed concept of your artwork, including:

• Medium and materials (see Art Forms section below).

• A basic description of the piece (max 250 words, with optional draft drawing/diagram).

• A brief explanation for how your piece will contribute to the Who Are Our Neighbors? project (max 250 words).

C. Supporting documents:

• Curriculum Vitae.

• Examples of previous work (images, videos, or digital files).

• A draft budget.

D. Key project requirements:

• Artwork must be approximately 4’ x 8’

• The final pieces will be replicated on Dibond panels.

• Artworks must be portable and not create accessibility barriers

• Artwork will not be attached to buildings or historic sites.

The artworks will inspire the public to imagine themselves as heroes or exemplars in their communities.

E. Click here to go to our proposal submission page.

If you have any questions, you may contact Almas Muscatwalla, Project Manager and Curator, at almas@sharingsacredspaces.org . Or you may call her at 214.448.8535.

Art Forms, Materials, and Budget

To provide flexibility and encourage creativity, artists may work in a variety of mediums and styles, including but not limited to:

• Glass lamination.

• Laser-cut shapes.

• Stainless steel.

• Windows or cut art/non-fixed relief panels.

• Digital works.

The style is also flexible and may be literal and/or figurative or abstract, with preference given to works with at least a discernible human component and their story.

NOTE: Each piece will ultimately be replicated on a 4x8 foot two-dimensional dibond panel for display in Dallas neighborhoods, ensuring the art’s reach and impact.

Each artist will be given $5000 to produce their piece. This should cover all needed materials plus commission for their work.

Parameters for Artworks

• Must be interactive and community oriented.

• Must be designed to be portable.

• Artwork must be uplifting and representing the goodness in ALL people depicted.

• Avoid attachment to buildings or the creation of accessibility barriers.

• Must be able to be replicated in a visually pleasing format on 6x9 foot dibond panels.

Project Timeline

• December 18, 2024: Open call for artist proposals released to the public.

• December 18, 2024 - February 2, 2025: Artists submit initial proposals describing their concept and the neighbor/exemplar they will represent.

• January 22nd, 2025: Virtual Information Session at noon to 1 pm CST.

• Office Hours through February: times to be announced

• February 16, 2025: Selected artists are invited to submit full proposals for final round.

• February 17, 2025 - March 8, 2025: Window to submit final proposals.

• March 18, 2025: Announcement of artists selected.

• March 18, 2025 - May 25, 2025: Artworks developed.

• May 25, 2025 - June 13, 2025: Artworks replicated on dibond.

• June 22, 2024: Launch event at Thanks-Giving Square.

• June 23, 2024 - September 30, 2025: Temporary installations around Dallas and Trolley Tours.

• October - December 2025: Permanent installations

Selection Process

Artists will be selected by the Who Are Our Neighbors? Artist Advisory Council, which includes experienced artists, curators, and community leaders. The council will prioritize diversity and inclusivity in representation.

The selection process involves two rounds:

Initial Round: The initial round of selections will be based on the artist’s portfolios and stated concepts for the Who Are Our Neighbors? initiative.

Final Round: Artists selected in this first round will be invited to submit a full proposal, which will include a detailed narrative of their exemplar and their story and the full scope of their intended artwork. The full proposal will also need to indicate the materials that will be used in the artwork creation and how it will translate to Dibond.

Eight artists will be selected to participate in the final project.

Proposals should be submitted through our portal here.

If you have any questions, you may also contact Almas at almas@sharingsacredspaces.org. Or you may call her at 214.448.8535.

Why Participate?

This is an opportunity to:

• Showcase your talent in a prominent, community-focused public art exhibit.

• Contribute to an initiative that bridges cultural divides and promotes inclusivity.

• Inspire Dallas communities by celebrating local exemplars through your art.

Join us in creating a transformative art experience that celebrates the diversity and resilience of Dallas communities. We look forward to seeing your creative vision!