Norman Arts Council will make its artist opportunities — as well as others made open to Norman-based artists — available to view here. Check back periodically for new and updated listings!

 

Call for Artists: Sixth Annual Artful Inlets

Murals to be located in Vineyard Park (3111 Woodcrest Drive), Sequoya Trail Park (410 Sequoya Trail), and Chisholm's Cattle Trail Park (2515 Wyandotte Way) | DOWNLOAD MAP OF LOCATIONS

Deadline for Submission: 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2024

SUBMIT HERE | DOWNLOAD DESIGN TEMPLATE

The City of Norman operates and maintains a series of underground pipes, open channels, ditches, and roadways used to collect or convey stormwater runoff from our homes and businesses to the nearest body of water, such as a creek, stream, or lake. In urban areas, stormwater runoff from hard surfaces, like roofs and driveways, flows along the side of the road until it reaches a storm drain, which is an opening or grate in the curb connected by a series of pipes and drainage channels to the nearest water body.  Water and other materials that enter these storm drains are transported directly to our creeks and streams without any treatment.  Some of the pollutants that enter our local creeks and streams with stormwater runoff include grass clippings, oil, trash, fertilizers, pesticides, and pet waste.

For the 6th Annual Artful Inlets program, the Norman Arts Council, Public Arts Committee, and City of Norman are inviting artists to submit designs that will transform city infrastructure into works of public art. These artful inlets will educate and raise awareness that pollutants that go down storm drains have a devasting impact on our local water quality.

There are currently 19 Artful Inlets in the community in the Walker Arts District, Lion’s Park, and Colonial Estates Park. This year we will be adding six (6) pieces of stormwater infrastructure identified for this project. They are located in Vineyard Park (3111 Woodcrest Drive), Sequoya Trail Park (410 Sequoya Trail), and Chisholm’s Cattle Trail Park (2515 Wyandotte Way).

This year’s theme focuses on the City of Norman’s Blue Neighborhood initiative. A 'blue' neighborhood embraces practices that conserve water, protect water quality, improve soil health, and provide vital habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. The City of Norman's Blue Neighborhoods Program is a new neighborhood initiative to improve water quality in the Lake Thunderbird watershed by providing incentives to encourage water conservation, improve soil health, and provide wildlife habitat. More information can be found here: bit.ly/BlueNeighborhoods

In support of this initiative, all designs for this round of Artful Inlets must include the tag line: Think Blue, Act Green!

Submission Rules

  • Artists (or a team of artists) must be 18 years or older and a resident(s) of Cleveland County, Oklahoma.

  • Artists who completed an Artful Inlets design in the past are eligible to submit in 2024.

  • All designs must be submitted on the provided Design Worksheet.

  • Design proposals must be submitted through the designated online submission platform via the Norman Arts Council and no later than Friday, March 15, 2024. Only applications submitted through the on-line process will be considered.

  • Artists must submit and install their original designs.

  • Submissions must include a short biography and information about the proposed design.

  • A list of materials to be used that are not provided by the City of Norman and Norman Arts Council must also be included and approved.

Design Criteria

All submissions we be evaluated on the following:

  • Artistic excellence

  • Each design must include the slogan “Think Blue, Act Green!” within the design.

  • When designing artwork, each artist is asked to consider the following themes:

    • Stormwater Pollution

    • Environmental Protection: the importance of cleaner water

  • The design must be appropriate for a public space.

  • Any materials supplied by the artist must be eco-friendly, not contribute to stormwater pollution, and be pre-approved by the selection panel at least two weeks before the designs are painted.

  • The design may not contain any business references, promotions, or advertisements.

  • It may not contain any breach of intellectual property, brands or trademarks, or depiction of illegal activity.

  • The final painting must match the proposed design.

Selected Artists or Teams of Artists will receive:

  • A $750.00 stipend when installation and sealing is completed

  • A clean, primed area stationed off with appropriate traffic control devices while painting

  • A tent to provide shade over the area while painting

  • Sherwin-Williams Armorseal paint – black, white, yellow, red, and blue with a non-slip additive

  • Artists will have an opportunity to mix paint colors prior to installation

  • Water for painting

  • Tubs and containers for water and paint

  • Drinking water

Artists must provide:

  • The original design

  • The ability to execute the accepted design within the allotted time

  • Brushes

  • Any other supplies or tools they deem necessary to execute their design

The artists will be selected based on the materials submitted. Artist selection for this project will be made by a panel including City of Norman and NAC staff and members of the Norman Public Arts Committee who will choose 6 artists and 1 alternate.

Soon after the selected artists are notified, a staff member from NAC or the City will meet with artists at the parks to assign designated areas and to discuss the specific size and shape of their design relative to their assigned space.

Timeline

  • Submission deadline is Friday, March 15, 2024

  • Artists will be selected and notified by Friday, March 29, 2024

  • Artist meeting at Parks on Wednesday, April 3, 2024

  • Paint mixing day on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 1:00 – 3:00pm

  • Installation of the artwork will be on Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12, 2024

During the two days of installation, the artists will be photographed and interviewed, and a video will be made to allow each artist to talk about their design, their motivation for participating, and their process. These will be used to create a feature segment for on the Norman Arts Council’s YouTube channel and other social media platforms.

Please note that if there are any changes to the installation schedule due to inclement weather, selected artists will be contacted with alternate installation dates.

Defined space for artwork

The area that artists are allowed to paint is approximately three (3) feet wide by ten (10) feet (see template) on a variety of concrete surfaces.

Artists must use the template to propose designs. Be mindful that some changes to your design may be required to accommodate the specific location.

Please use the submission template as a guide but understand the design may be slightly altered if chosen. Artists, the City of Norman, and NAC will all agree on needed alterations.

Copyright

The design must be original and must not infringe on any other person’s intellectual property rights.

Each selected artist further grants the City of Norman and the Norman Arts Council the exclusive rights to reproduce the design (including electronic images) for fundraising, educational, and promotional purposes.

Vandalism

While the City of Norman will provide a clear vandal-resistant varnish, artists should also be aware that the City of Norman cannot prevent vandalism to said artwork, although every effort will be made to protect it.

Maintenance

The Artful Inlet murals are expected to last approximately one year. They may last longer, but the City of Norman and Norman Arts Council only guarantee the preservation of the installation for one year from completion. Due to regular park traffic and weather, the installations will eventually fade and degrade. If after a year and in the opinion of the City and NAC the artwork can be touched up or refreshed, reasonable attempts will be made to contact the artist to see if they want to do that work without additional compensation. The City reserves the right to remove the installation if repair is not feasible or a year has passed since completion.

Removal

Artwork must be consistent with submitted and selected artwork. If, in the opinion of the selection panel, the artwork does not reflect the submitted design, the City has the right to remove it partially or completely. The City and NAC have the right to remove the artwork at any time if they jointly agree that the artwork is inappropriate due to design, condition, or vandalism. The City reserves the right to remove the artwork immediately if it presents a danger to public safety or if the drain needs maintenance, repair, or replacement.

Liability

Each artist agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Norman and the Norman Arts Council from any loss or damage, any third-party claims, demands, actions, legal fees, or costs for which the Artist is legally responsible, including those arising out of negligence, willful harm, or crimes by the Artist or the Artist’s employees, agent or subcontractors. This “hold harmless” agreement shall survive beyond the term of the Artist’s service contract.

The City of Norman and Norman Arts Council will not be liable or responsible for any bodily or personal injury or property damage of any nature that may be suffered by the Artist, their employees, agents, or subcontractors in the performance of this Project, except to the extent of any negligence or misconduct on the part of the City of Norman and Norman Arts Council.

Commissioning of artists is implemented without preference to racial or ethnic origins, sex, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability, or age.

The Norman Arts Council and the City of Norman reserve the right to modify this solicitation and to request additional information or proposals from any or all participating artists. The Norman Arts Council and the City of Norman also reserve the right to accept or reject, at any time before the commissioning of a work, any or all proposals when the acceptance, rejection, waiver, or advertisement would be in the best interest of the project. In addition, they may solicit proposals from artists not responding to this call and reserve the right to select an artist outside of the pool of artists responding to this call.

Submission Entry Checklist:

  • Completed ONLINE Entry Form

  • Completed design template

  • Design description and information – one page maximum

  • List of any additional materials or supplies

  • Artist’s bio – one page maximum

  • Up to 10 examples of past work



Pre-Qualified Mural Artist Pool
Due: 11:59 p.m. February 29, 2024

Apply Here

The Norman Arts Council’s Public Arts Committee with funding from the City of Norman, is launching a Mural Incentive program for businesses and commercial property owners in Norman, Oklahoma. Through an application process, the NAC will consider requests for funds of up to $10,000 for mural projects in the City of Norman.

To connect businesses and property owners with muralists, we are inviting muralists to submit their qualifications to a pool of artists. We invite muralists from Oklahoma to submit their portfolios and a statement that describes their mural style and technique. 

Businesses may opt not to use one of our pre-qualified artists, or they may ask the NAC to assist in a selection process. The process would begin with a review of the pre-qualified pool and a short list of appropriate artists for a specific project. 

Businesses who apply to our Mural Incentive program must agree to pay artists a minimum of $25/square foot for a mural commission. 

To be considered for the Pre-Qualified Mural Artist Pool, please complete the application and submit by February 29, 2024. 

We will have future windows to apply to the Pre-Qualified Pool available at dates TBD. 

Call for Artists/Curators

The Norman Arts Council is seeking artists and curators to conceive of exhibitions in its home, MAINSITE Contemporary Art in the heart of the Walker Arts District | Downtown Norman. We have four exhibition slots available per year, each running for 6-8 weeks. We are accepting proposals for the entire space or half of the space. MAINSITE's main gallery is booked generally up to two years in advance. 

Gallery Highlights:

  • Beautiful contemporary space in renovated building over 100 years old

  • 4,000 square feet of exhibition space

  • 13.5 foot ceilings

  • Floor to ceiling glass front onto Main Street

  • Can be divided into 2-4 distinct exhibition spaces with moveable walls

  • Full time gallery staff on site Tuesday through Saturday

  • Projection capabilities

  • Staff to assist with install

  • Full use of Norman Arts Council PR and Mailing List for promotion of exhibit

If you are interested in an exhibition in the main gallery of MAINSITE Contemporary Art, please email Erinn Gavaghan at erinn@normanarts.org with a fully written exhibition proposal, including an exhibition narrative, artist statement, CV, examples of previous work and any other relevant information. 

*Please note: The exhibition calendar is currently full through June 2025. We will not likely consider future exhibits until sometime in Spring 2024.

The Library Gallery

Our Mission: The Library Gallery is a smaller space within MAINSITE Contemporary Art to exhibit experimental and cutting edge work from emerging artists.

Call for Artists/Curators:
The Library Gallery and Water Closet Gallery is always accepting proposals from emerging artists and curators. We have an active and ongoing process of working with artists to collaborate and create the best fit exhibitions. The Library Gallery includes approximately 50 feet of exhibition space, including the office just off the main gallery. Exhibitions may be expanded out to include one wall of the foyer between the Main Gallery and Library Gallery and/or the gallery’s courtyard, depending on availability.

If you are interested in an exhibition at the Library Gallery of MAINSITE Contemporary Art, please email Ander Cardinale at ander@normanarts.org with a fully written exhibition proposal, including an exhibition narrative, artist statement, CV, examples of previous work and any other relevant information. 

*Please note: The Library Gallery is generally scheduled out a year in advance.

Call for Artists, Artisans, Makers and Performers

Take part in Norman’s monthly celebration of arts and creativity — 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk — happening in Downtown Norman year-round! Sell and show your work or add to the ambiance with a performance outside! Learn more about how to be an outdoor participant at 2ndFridayNorman.com!

Norman Arts Council Artist Grants

Round One of the FY 23/24 Artist Grants has closed. Winners will be notified in February. round two will open for submissions in April.

Norman Arts Council operates its artist grant program to serve Norman-based artists and further our creative community. While the longstanding Norman Arts Grant Program has benefited local artists through its support of dozens of arts organizations around town, this furthers NAC’s commitment to directly benefit local artists in a variety of ways.

The program offers three grants of $1,000, each in a different category.

The categories include Community Project, Creative Project and Education.

  • Community Project grants help artists initiate a community-based project that leads to artistic creation. Evaluation is based on quality, the community impact and overall concept.

  • Creative Project grants support creation of new work or body of work. Evaluation is based on quality of creative opportunity, career building potential, and overall concept.

  • Education grants support opportunities to participate in conferences, residencies or workshops that provide education and further one’s artistic practice. Evaluation is based on quality of educational opportunity, career building potential, and overall concept.

Artists can apply for all three grant opportunities in each cycle, but a maximum of one grant will be awarded to any artist in a given grant cycle.

Only artists who have resided in Norman for the past 12 months are eligible to apply for the Norman Arts Council Artist Grants. Applying artists must be at least 18 years old.

Questions may be directed to Programs & Development Manager Cher Duncan.


Grant Timeline

FY 2023/24 ROUND 2
ACCePTING APPLICATIONS: APRIL 17 THROUGH MAY 29
Award Recipients Notified MID-JUNE

FY 2024/25 ROUND 1
ACCePTING APPLICATIONS: September 18 THROUGH October 30
Award Recipients Notified MID-NOVEMBER


Past Winners

2023 Artist Grant Winners: Round 1
Lacy Jo Burgess-Cady, Rai Fordyce and Leticia Galizzi

2023 Artist Grant Winners: Round 2
Ander Cardinale, HANNAH HARPER and DENNIS SPIELMAN

Spring 2024 Arts Education Scholarships Window has closed!

SUMMER 2024 Arts Education Scholarships
ACCePTING APPLICATIONS: MARCH 27 tHROUGH MAY 1
Award Recipients Notified Mid-May

FALL 2024 Arts Education Scholarships
ACCePTING APPLICATIONS: JULY 3 THROUGH AUGUST 7
Award Recipients Notified LATE AUGUST

Spring 2025 Arts Education Scholarships
ACCePTING APPLICATIONS: OCTOBER 24 THROUGH NOVEMBER 28
Award Recipients Notified MID-DECEMBER

Norman Arts Council Arts Education Scholarships are intended to provide Norman children with the opportunity to attend arts programming that is offered outside of schools. 

Applicants may use funding — up to $500 — for any arts education program of their choosing beyond what local schools are able to provide, including but not limited to visual art instruction, music lessons, vocal and theater coaching and more.

Priority is given to low income applicants and families facing a hardship, but any student (grades K-12) who lives or attends school in Norman is eligible to apply.

The NAC is seeking applications for scholarships from students who:

  • express a strong desire to enhance their arts education experience beyond what is offered in schools, demonstrates a past commitment to visual or performing arts, or a student that a parent, guardian or teacher deems the child could benefit from an arts experience

  • have the ability to commit to the completion of the program

  • have a financial need that prevents them from funding the tuition themselves

  • priority will be given to low income applicants or families facing a hardship

  • $500 is the maximum award a single student will be granted for a single program

  • Applications must be 100% completed