Call for Visual Artists

Let’s Celebrate! Applications are now open for the 2023 Art in the Loop Program

Deadline to apply is Friday, March 17, 2023

The Art in the Loop Foundation (AILF), along with the KC Streetcar Authority, is looking for artists to bring their creativity to Downtown Kansas City for the 2023 Summer Public Art program, Art in the Loop, now in its 10th year. 

The Art in the Loop Foundation (AILF) is seeking visual artists to engage the community through an exhibition of public artwork along the KC Streetcar route in Downtown Kansas City from May 31 through November 31, 2023. This is Art in the Loop’s 10th annual summer public art program, and the eighth year partnering with the KC Streetcar. 

Through a competitive, open-call process, AILF selects local artists to create temporary, site-specific work along and near the KC Streetcar route. These artworks will be viewed by hundreds of thousands of KC Streetcar riders and Downtowners throughout the season. Selected artists will receive funds and project support to bring their artwork alive for a 6-month outdoor program.

The 2023 Art in the Loop theme is “Celebrate.” This year, Art in the Loop is asking artists to show how/what they celebrate in their lives. This could be the celebration of art, identity, culture, community, and more. How do you reflect celebration in your artwork and art practice, your community, and your city? Proposed projects should reflect these questions and ideas in ways that engage and stimulate Kansas City audiences through public art installations.  

This year artists may submit proposals in 5 categories:

• KC Streetcar Wrap + Shelter
• KC Streetcar Shelter (Within the Frame)
• KC Streetcar Shelter (Live Painting)
• KC Streetcar Shelter + Sculpture
• ARTwall Installation + Shelter

Application requirements and the online application can be found on the Art in the Loop website at www.artintheloop.com. Artist stipends granted from the Art in the Loop Foundation will range from $1,000-$2,500 depending on the category. The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 17, 2023. Applications must be made online via the application portal.
 
Art in the Loop and the KC Streetcar will host several information sessions for artists to learn more about this year’s program. All information and event invites can be found at www.artintheloop.com. 

• Thursday, February 23rd from 11:00 a.m. – Noon at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Boulevard, Kansas City, MO. This session is in person and via zoom.
• Wednesday, March 1st from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Information Session and Workshop at AI Hub, 511 Delaware Street Suite 50, Kansas City, MO. This session is in person. 
• Saturday, March 11th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Information Session Mix and Mingle at the Kansas City Artists Coalition, 3200 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO. This session is in person. 

For Art in the Loop questions, contact Art in the Loop Visual Art Director, Marissa Starke, marissastarke@gmail.com, or Program Director, Ann Holliday, ann@downtownkc.org. For more information about this year’s project, visit www.artintheloop.com, www.facebook.com/artintheloop, or twitter.com/ArtintheLoop.