This is Milwaukee - Call for Artists

The deadline for applications has now passed. Thank you to all who applied!

“This is Milwaukee” is a project by artist-photographer Kevin J. Miyazaki and journalist Mary Louise Schumacher.

Our core question is designed to inspire people—our subjects, our audience and ourselves—to reflect on democracy in a deeply personal way. We ask everyone, “What is democracy, for you?”

The project launched in April of 2019, as our community began preparations to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention. That community conversation felt relevant in a time of political polarization and coarse civic discourses. Today, in the midst of a pandemic that we could not have foreseen and an international uprising to address the racial terror that exists in the U.S., it is even more urgent.

We have interviewed more than 100 Milwaukeeans who embody the notion of citizenship, and we invite you to visit our website to explore our portraits and interviews: www.thisismilwaukee.us

One aspect of our project involves publishing a one-time-only, newspaper-like printed piece which will feature portraits of these Milwaukeeans and excerpts of their interviews. We plan to distribute these widely throughout the city, including in three former Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper vending machines (see images below).

This is where you come in! We are seeking up to three artists to transform these boxes into works of public art that will stand out in outdoor spaces. We will ask the selected artists to create a painted expression that considers the state of our democracy today and our core question: "What is democracy, for you?"

A few particulars: We would like the boxes to be painted and, when complete, able to withstand Wisconsin weather for a long period of time. We do not want to change the physical form of the boxes, which will need to remain functional, and we'll need to affix two labels, one that reads "free" and the other with information about the project. We would ask the selected artists to be mindful that these will have a public audience, perhaps for years to come, and may be displayed in spaces such as public sidewalks, galleries, museums or libraries. Your signature may be part of your painted design.

The boxes are heavy, and we will collaborate with you on pick up and delivery. The boxes will be available for pick up between Sept. 5 to 7 and will need to be delivered (and dry!) no later than Oct. 1, 2020.

We are prepared to offer each artist $750 for their time and materials (artists will be asked to apply a sealant).

***UPDATE: We have received questions about whether we would consider non-paint mediums and we are open to suggestions.***