Seattle seeks artists for temporary installations for sidewalks and parks
Artworks to be installed along Greenwood Avenue North and the Central Waterfront this summer

SEATTLE — The Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), seeks up to 12 artists to create temporary art installations along Greenwood Avenue North and the Central Waterfront for the project Art Interruptions. Art Interruptions encourages artists to install artworks on city sidewalks and parks and offer passers-by a brief interruption in their day with a moment of surprise, beauty or humor. Possible locations for artworks include street and park infrastructure and furniture (utility poles, trees, tree pits, walls, railings, stair risers, etc.). The artworks will be displayed for six weeks this summer.

Art Interruptions will launch in tandem with PhinneyWood Summer Streets, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., August 10, in the Phinney Ridge and Greenwood neighborhoods. The event opens up Greenwood Avenue North between North 65th and North 87th streets to pedestrians and bicyclists and supports the neighborhood's monthly art walk. Artworks will also be installed on the Central Waterfront along the west side of Alaskan Way between Vine Street and South Washington Street. Locations include Waterfront Park and Piers 62 and 63.

The call is open to artists residing in Washington state. Application deadline is 11 p.m., Friday, May 4. A link to the online application is available at www.seattle.gov/arts.

The project Art Interruptions will fulfill a goal of the SDOT Art Plan, adopted in 2005 by SDOT and funded by the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. The Art Plan identifies temporary, small-scale artworks in the right-of-way as a way to enliven the pedestrian realm and contribute to the aesthetic experience of the streetscape. This initial project may provide a model for future small-scale, temporary art projects in the right-of-way.

Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 stipend. Art Interruptions is funded by SDOT 1% for Art funds and administered by the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs.

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs promotes the value of arts and culture in communities throughout Seattle. The 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council, supports the city agency.

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