Can local artists compete for public art opportunities in Kansas City?

• For fairness to all artists, the Municipal Art Commission implements an open, competitive process for all one-percent-for-art projects.  A selection panel of local citizens is assembled for each project.  These volunteer panelists review from 50 to 200 qualification packets submitted from local and national artists for each project.  Not all local artists are interested in these unique and challenging public art projects however; local artists who do submit their qualifications are given special consideration throughout the selection process. 

• While we feel a strong commitment to support our City’s artists, the Municipal Art Commission also feels a responsibility to see that the strongest work is presented in and around our public buildings, regardless of where that work may come from.  Whenever possible, the panels encourage selection of artists from the Kansas City region, but that goal does not overshadow our commitment to the work itself.

• Local artists have received several commissions in Kansas City.  Of the twenty-one public art projects completed to date, almost half have included local artists. (www.kcmo.org/cimo.nsf/web/onepercent?opendocument)  Additionally, the Municipal Art Commission partners with the Avenue of the Arts Foundation every year to commission six area artists to create temporary public artworks for exhibit in downtown Kansas City.  (www.kcmo.org/cimo.nsf/web/avenue?opendocument)