Greetings Artists and Arts Supporters!

We are sending you this newsletter to let you know about the latest activities of AIPP as well as upcoming opportunities!    

NOTE: The Cultural Arts Division will be closed December 24, 25, and January 1 for the holidays. 

Austin Grand Prix Fan Fest

The Austin Creates stage and adjacent block featured local musicians, dancers, artists, and performers.

AIPP added posters to the streetscape, informing passersby about public art collection works in proximity to Fan Fest.

Draka was on hand to greet festival goers as part of Austin Creates. Draka is a 90 ft long, mobile/kinetic sculpture built on a truck pulling three trailers, made of mostly recycled materials. Inside the bowels of the beast, there's room for live music and comfortable seating for approximately 50 -75 people. Artist Lisa Nigro.

Local artist Chris Levack produced chalkboards so festival goers could be an active part of Austin Creates - sharing thoughts, drawings, ideas and favorite works of public art.

Cast Your Ballot!

The People's Gallery 2012 

The 2012 People's Gallery exhibition is the 8th since City Hall opened and includes 174 works by 124 artists in a wide variety of media.

Each year visitors may vote for their favorite artworks and a "People's Choice" is selected from among the top-recommended pieces for inclusion in the permanent collection for City Hall.

--- Paper ballots and the ballot box are in the 2nd floor lobby at City Hall.
--- The winning artwork will be announced at the opening reception for the 2013 exhibition in February.

Did you know? Many of the artworks in the People's Gallery are for sale by the artists. If you are interested in a piece, please see the 2nd floor receptionist at City Hall for information.

People's Gallery 2012 Exhibition ends January 10.

60 second survey - tell us what you think!

Please take a 60 second survey on what qualities you think family friendly public art could have, in order to be engaging for children and families in Austin's downtown. Survey will close at noon on 12/31/12.

Currently in the planning stages, a family friendly art project will be installed near the New Central Library, scheduled for opening in 2016.

Artist Sharon Engelstein has been commissioned to create artwork associated with the new 2nd Street Bridge and Extension project. This artwork has a goal of being engaging to families and children.

North Austin Community Garden by Thoughtbarn

Lucy Begg and Robert Gay of Thoughtbarn have been commissioned to design and implement a community garden at the new North Austin Community Recreation Center, located at 1000 W. Rundberg Lane.

During the course of the project, the artists will work extensively with the local community, through workshops and public events, to develop the design of the garden, establish a governing body and by-laws, and plan a celebratory event when the garden is complete next year.

The goals of this public art project include: integrating the perspective of an artist in the design and cultivation of a community garden; creating a gathering space maintained and enjoyed by diverse neighbors, which engenders stewardship and a shared sense of pride in community; and producing a functioning and sustainable garden that yields fresh produce for the community.

These goals were created in partnership with the YMCA of Austin, the City of Austin Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Community Garden Program and the Sustainable Food Center.

Click here to track the progress of the project.

Project Spotlight #2

Solar Tree by Barna Kantor 

On the Winter Solstice, December 21, a solar event will take place related to this artwork at the Dittmar Recreation Center (1009 W. Dittmar Road) in far south Austin.

The shadow of the "Solar Tree" shade structure will match the shape of the designed elliptical plaza below. This AIPP Commission was designed by Barna Kantor as part of the plaza in front of the facility's new gymnasium. It includes an energy-generating photovoltaic shade structure and the plaza area.

This picture was taken of the shadow at noon on the 2011 Winter Solstice. The shadow of the "tree" lines up perfectly with the ellipse on the pavement below.

This artwork is currently undergoing repair and reconstruction because of vandalism to its solar panels. Soon it will be fully functioning.

Other Opportunities and Events

Artspace Market Survey closes January 10, 2013 

Do you need affordable space to live, work, create, rehearse and perform? Artists, arts organizations, and for-profit creative sector businesses are all encouraged to complete the Artspace Market Survey.

Click here to take the survey, available online through January 10, 2013 (extended deadline).

The purpose of the market survey is two-fold. The information gathered will help inform the concept and design decisions for the 4-story, 35-40 unit artist live/work project planned in conjunction with the new Austin Playhouse at Mueller Town Center.

The results of the survey will also identify Austin's specific creative sector space needs & requirements, which will be made available to local developers, building owners, and foundations interested in developing creative spaces. The City envisions that the survey data will provide valuable information for the planning of corridors, creative hubs, arts districts, and incubators.

The City of Austin, Austin Playhouse, and Artspace partnered to produce the Artspace Market Survey of Artists, Arts Organizations, and Creative Sector Businesses.

Don't miss your chance to be heard!  

For more information, contact Janet Seibert at 512-974-7860.

*****

Submission Deadline:

January 15, 2013, 5 p.m.

The City of Austin invites all Austin-area filmmakers to submit their work to Faces of Austin 2013. The selected films will have a premiere screening during the SXSW Film Conference Community Screenings in March 2013.

Click here for more information.

*****

OTHER ARTWORK OPPORTUNITIES

For basic information about, and links to, other Public Art Calls to Artists around the country, please visit Public Art 4Culture.