Ohio Percent for Art Announces Two Commission Openings
by Jaclyn Reynolds
The Ohio Percent for Art Program, administered by the Ohio Arts Council, announces two commission opportunities for Cleveland State University and Youngstown State University. These commissions are open to Ohio and U.S. artists.
Cleveland State University is commissioning work for the College of Education and Human Services building. Youngstown State University is commissioning work for the Williamson College of Business Administration building. Advisory committees at both universities will review submitted artist materials to select semi-finalists. The semi-finalists will create proposals for a new commissioned work. The deadline for both projects is August 28, 2009. The Ohio Percent for Art program was established by the Ohio Legislature in 1990. It recognizes the state’s responsibility to foster culture and the arts and to encourage the development of artists. The legislation provides that one percent of the total appropriation of new or renovated public buildings costing more than $4 million be used for the acquisition, commissioning and installation of works of art. Since the legislation went into effect, more than 100 projects have been completed. The completed projects have brought public art into many areas of the state. Both major cities and small communities have benefited from the program. Artists interested in applying for these commissions may visit the Percent for Art program page at www.oac.state.oh.us/grantsprogs/PercentforArt.asp. The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.[top]