Call for Art Submissions

Outdoor Piping Plovers Art

Project Overview:

The Saco Arts Commission was created in 2021 to bring together members of the community, elected officials, and staff to improve the aesthetic quality of the City’s public spaces.

The Arts Commission is pleased to announce our newest initiative which will feature piping plovers; a mother and two chicks, at Joe Riley Park, a small pocket park at the intersection of Main and Beach Streets in downtown Saco. Finalized location within the park will be determined by the Arts Commission, in collaboration with the Parks Department and the existing elements in the park.

All submissions for the competition will be reviewed by the Arts Commission. Artists will be selected based on the content and quality of their work, and all decisions made by the Arts Commission are final.

Work can be either 2-D (sculptural silhouette NOT paintings) or 3-D. Materials used must be able to withstand both weather conditions and public use, as well as being able to be installed in a manner that is safe, sturdy, and practical. The Arts Commission would like to install the artwork before the end of 2026.

Artists are asked to submit a letter of interest describing their proposed artwork and a timeline for work and installation, along with a resume and JPGs of recent sculptural, public art work and/or recent artwork (up to 8).

Requirements and Eligibility

• All artwork must be original.
• Submissions may not contain advertisements.
• Submissions must be appropriate for the downtown environment and public setting.
• Local artists given priority (Saco residents and/or Maine residents).
• All artwork must be submitted digitally as outlined in the “Submissions” section below.
• Arts Commission members, City Staff, and their respective immediate family are not eligible to submit.

Submissions

Email digital submissions to Torie Gorman, City of Saco Economic Development Specialist, at tgorman@sacomaine.org with the subject line “Piping Plovers Art Submission.” Email submissions must contain the following:

• A link or attachment with the original artwork.
• Artist’s name, mailing address, phone number, and email address.
• If this is a student entry, include your school, age, and grade.
• A short statement about the artist and 2-3 sentences about the piece which may include references to mediums used, design, influences, vision, and/or inspiration.

Signed Terms of Agreement (Appendix B).

Project Deadline/Timeline

• Digital submissions must be received by September 15, 2026
• An artist will be chosen by October 6, 2026
• Sculpture installation late fall, 2026

Budget

Budget for artist fees and the sculpture and installation is set at $10,000.

Appendix B: Terms of Agreement -  - Please copy and paste the following into a new document and attach to your email submission.

In submitting this artwork, I the undersigned Artist hereby agree to the following terms and conditions:

• The work submitted is original, is my creation and work product, and is solely owned by me; and, that any use or reproduction by the City of Saco will not violate the rights of any third party. Artist may copy and/or re-use their submitted art for other purposes but no part of such re-use shall include any reference (visual or otherwise) to the City of Saco, nor include any other intellectual property of the City, without prior written consent of the City, which consent may be conditioned.

• I acknowledge and agree that the artwork submitted under this proposal and contract shall become the intellectual property of the City of Saco even if my design is not chosen, and I grant an irrevocable license to the City to use and re-use, publish and re-publish, this artwork at a later date, time and place should the City so desire, but I will receive attribution and acknowledgment upon any such re-use.

• I expressly grant to the City of Saco, an irrevocable license to make reproductions of the artwork, and the final or re-designed, for purposes of not only the outdoor art posters, but also for brochures, media, publicity, catalogs, and other similar publications, and as the City desires.

• I acknowledge that the artwork may be removed at any time without notification to me to accommodate maintenance, repair, or replacement.

• The City of Saco has the right to remove or replace the artwork at any time for any reason.

• Notwithstanding the above, I understand and agree that I may continue to use and display the artwork as part of my body of work and/or curriculum vitae.

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Artist Signature

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Print Name