The Public Artist Roster is our main tool for choosing artists for our public art commissions. It is a list of artists who pre-qualify to create artworks through our program. It allows for a streamlined selection process. 

The roster is open to:  

• individual visual artists  

• artist teams or artist collectives  
  

You are eligible to apply if you:  

• live in the United States or British Columbia  

• are at least eighteen years old as of August 1, 2025 

You will create artworks for schools, colleges, and state buildings that are community assets and part of the State Art Collection. 
 

If accepted to the roster and selected for a project, you agree to:  

• register as a WA state vendor   

• follow state requirements, such as contractor licenses and paying prevailing wages   

• pay applicable taxes   

• fulfill contract terms with ArtsWA   

• travel as needed during the proposal process   

• design and propose artworks for review and approval by our conservation team and site committees  

• work within a fixed budget and timeline   

• create artwork for public spaces

• You must be the creator of the artworks you submit.  

• You must give credit to any partners on projects.  

• We do not accept late, incomplete, mailed, or hand-delivered applications.   

• Acceptance to the roster does not guarantee you will receive a project.  

• ArtsWA does not prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a creative tool, but imagery or images solely created through AI are not acceptable as work samples or commissioned artworks because they are not protected by copyright.  

• If unsuccessful, you may appeal the Board’s decision as per Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 30.12.036.  

• If accepted and your team dissolves, we will remove you from the roster. Any team member may reapply for the next roster call.   

• If you identify a lead artist and your team dissolves, the lead artist may remain on the roster. We will ask them to update their portfolio to reflect their current work.  

A panel votes on applications. The panel includes artists and arts administrators. Incomplete, ineligible, and late applications will not be shared with the panel.    

Panelists look for the following criteria when scoring the applications:  

• You communicate a unique vision or perspective  

• You demonstrate an authentic relationship to your subject matter  

• You show an ability to engage a site and/or community   

• You demonstrate skill in your technique  

After review, the panel recommends a final roster of artists to the ArtsWA Board for approval at their August meeting. You will be notified of the Board’s decision by August 8, 2025.   

Successful applicants will be eligible for projects from September 2025 – July 2029. If accepted, we’ll share your submitted portfolio with local art selection committees. If you are not yet ready to apply, or are unsuccessful, the roster will reopen for midterm applications in 2027. 

Art selection committees review portfolios and choose artists based on their goals for the artwork. All our projects are site-responsive, meaning they consider audience, environment, architecture, local values, and other factors. The artworks we commission vary greatly in size, materials, and aesthetics. On occasion, we collaborate with artists on different types of projects. When applying you will be asked if you are interested in the following:  

Architecturally integrated projects: Collaborate with the building’s design team to combine artwork with the architecture (i.e., flooring, railings, glazing, lighting, etc.) to create a permanent artwork.   

Community-engaged commissions: Engage with the community to shape the design of a permanent artwork through workshops or other forms of social practice.   

Our project managers work with artists and committees at each site to facilitate the process of acquiring artworks throughout the state.   

Note, we do not commission:  

• water features  

• clock towers  

• memorials  

• logos or signage  

• school mascots  

We use the roster to choose artists for 20 to 40 projects per year. Approximately two-thirds of our artworks are in K-12 public schools.   

Currently, all K-12 school projects will be located inside. Indoor projects can be more equitable for artists and provide more options for those who are new to public art. Outdoor artworks can be more expensive to produce, install, and maintain. We will continue to commission outdoor artwork for colleges, universities, and state agencies.  

Project budgets must account for all design, fabrication, and installation costs. This includes materials, transportation, licenses, insurance, sales tax, studio space, and all other expenses.   

We use the roster to choose artists for projects with budgets between $50,000 and $250,000. Most budgets fall between $60,000 and $125,000. For projects above $250,000, we hold open calls for artists.   

You can specify which budget ranges you are willing to work with when you apply.  

ArtsWA is the Washington State Arts Commission. We recognize our unique position to advance and support art and artists across Washington. Our goal is to build and care for a dynamic contemporary art collection that is accessible and valued. We seek impactful and lasting artworks that reflect Washington’s diverse communities.  

In 1974, Washington state created the Art in Public Places program. With more than 5,000 artworks, Washington state owns one of the nation’s largest public art collections.   

We comply with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil and human rights. You can learn more about our policies on Accessibility, Diversity, and Nondiscrimination here.   

Art in Public Places is uniquely positioned to advance and support art and artists across Washington. Our goal is to build and care for a State Art Collection that is impactful, accessible, and valued. We seek lasting artworks that reflect Washington’s diverse communities.  

For technical issues or any other questions, please contact:

• Michelle Avitia, program coordinator: michelle.avitia@arts.wa.gov | 360-485-1344
• Mike Sweney, program manager: mike.sweney@arts.wa.gov | 360-228-4080

If you need an accommodation in order to complete the application, please contact:

• Alexis Sarah, agency accessibility coordinator: alexis.sarah@arts.wa.gov | 360-228-6359