Call For Graphic Novel Artist-In-Residence For Fremont & University Bridges

Seattle Arts is seeking Graphic Novel Artists for an Artist-In-Residence for the Fremont Bridge this Fall. Art by Otts Bolisay, 2020

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation will select two graphic novel creators for a unique project-based residency in the towers of the Fremont and University Bridges. The deadline for applications to this Call for Artists is Thursday, May 28^th at 11:59p.

Two separate residencies will occur in the same approximate time – from August to November 2020 – with one in the northwest tower of the Fremont Bridge, and the other in the southeastern tower of the University Bridge. These spaces will be used as a working studio/office for the artists, who can find inspiration in the history and the locations for their work.

The view from the Northwestern Tower of the Fremont Bridge, where an Artist may be in residence Aug – Nov, 2020. Photo by K. Lindsay Laney, Aug ’14

The selected artists can determine their schedule of when they will be ‘in residence’, and the project includes public sharing of the artwork created during the residency, although the artist retains copyright. This new work shall represent or illuminate some aspect of the bridge, and the bridge’s history, be it real or metaphorical.

This call for artists is open to individual graphic novel creators that live within commuting distance of Seattle, due to the residency requirement of this project. Writer/artist teams are not eligible to apply. Students over 18-years of age are eligible.

Each of the two selected artists will receive $10,000 USD ($5,000 for the residency, and $5,000 for the project presentation and documentation.) This is inclusive of all residency costs, project, presentation, documentation of the work and applicable taxes. Payments will be made in installments, based on benchmarks established by ARTS, in consultation with the artists selected.

The regular occupant of the Northwest Tower of the Fremont Bridge – the Rapunzel Neon created by Rodman Miller. Photo by K. Lindsay Laney, Aug ’14

A virtual workshop will be held on Thursday, May 7^th at 1p for assistance in applying for this Call for Artists, and for more details about this residency. E-mail maija.mcknight@seattle.gov for an invitation to the virtual workshop. Of course, if the residency locations are inaccessible in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a remote residency will be agreed upon.

The application process for this Artist-In-Residence of the Fremont Bridge (and University,) can be done on Submittable. For more information or help, contact Project Manager Maija McKnight at 206-684-7311 or by e-mail.