Public Art / Percent for Art Program Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Percent for Art selection process?


	"Fossilized, Crystallized Nautilus Shell" by Shoshannah White, 2006. Photographic, laminated glass murals. Brushed aluminum framing. University of Southern Maine Bioresearch Center.

New projects come into existence through a process of local decision-making. The Maine Arts Commission and the agency governing the project (such as a school administration) appoint an art selection committee to select the art. The committee may choose from three different methods of selecting the art: open competition, limited competition, or direct selection. A limited competition might mean that the committee places a restriction on who may apply, such as "Maine artists only". A direct selection means that the committee agrees to make a purchase without soliciting proposals.

How do I find out about new and upcoming Percent for Art Competitions?

The Maine Arts Commission only publicizes projects when they are announced as an open call for artists. To view a list of upcoming Percent for Art projects, please check our opportunities directory often. To receive communication alerts and calls for artists, log in to your MaineArts.com user account, or create a new account, and update your communication preferences to join the Artist Opportunities listserv.


	"Fossilized, Crystallized Nautilus Shell" by Shoshannah White, 2006. Photographic, laminated glass murals. Brushed aluminum framing. University of Southern Maine Bioresearch Center.

How do I apply to open competitions?

First, you must obtain the prospectus outlining the competition. These are available through MaineArts.com or by contacting Kerstin Gilg at kerstin.gilg@maine.gov. The prospectus will provide background information about the site, describe the potential locations for artwork at the site, and give instructions and contact information for applying.

Each proposal requires a letter of interest from the artist indicating ideas, the direction of past work, budget considerations and specifics about the images submitted for the committee to view. The letter of intent should be brief and specific. The letter's purpose is to help the committee understand the proposed artwork and to give them reason to believe that it will be site specific and connect with the community.

How can I see examples of completed public art works in Maine?

Search our Percent for Art Directory, a database comprised of completed Percent for Art projects dating back to 1979. The Percent for Art Directory provides site details complete with images, contact information, map and driving directions, and a link to the artist's directory listing. You may also visit our office in Augusta to view the hard copy archives.

How do I find out about other projects outside of Maine?

Artists who are interested in applying to public art competitions outside of Maine may want to obtain a copy of 2005-2006 Public Art Program Directory, A Resource Guide for Public Art Professionals. Order it from Americans for the Arts, www.artsusa.org or 800-321-4510. As we are aware of other states calls for artists, we will post their opportunities in our opportunities directory, please check often for new listings.

Artist Training Manual
The City of San Jose has developed a training manual for artists who are seeking to develop public art projects. It includes information for artists about proposal development, working with communities, insurance, maintenance, To get a copy free PDF of the document, visit: http://www.sanjoseculture.org/pub_art/artists_resources.htm.
For links to more Resources for Public Artists, visit: http://artsusa.org/services/public_art_network/default_007.asp


	Photographic, laminated glass murals. Brushed aluminum framing. Shoshannah White, 2006. University of Southern Maine Bioresearch Center.

What types of building projects are covered by Maine's Percent for Art Law?

Public facilities served by Maine's Percent for Art program include public schools, the State University and Technical College systems and all state buildings such as court facilities and state office buildings.

How can we find out if our building project qualifies under Percent for Art Law?

Guidelines for Maine's Percent for Art Program and the legislation empowering it are contained in Maine's Percent for Art program handbook. The handbook also includes samples of art selection process forms for publicity, correspondence and contracting with artists. For more information about this program, call the Maine Arts Commission office 207/287-2724 or view the Percent for Art area on our website.

How can we start a public art program or project in our community?

The Maine Arts Commission offers advice and information for public art planning and programming. In order to simplify the work involved in finding artists, the Maine Arts Commission can provide leadership, information resources and process models to successfully locate artists and determine appropriate artwork for interior or exterior locations. For more information, call Kerstin Gilg, Public Art Associate at 207/287-6719 or kerstin.gilg@maine.gov