Calling all artists… we want to see your art in the air! You may have noticed that the Downtown Ithaca Alliance has embarked on a sponsored seasonal banner program to add color, variety, and beauty to the newly renovated Ithaca Commons pedestrian mall. Banners with vibrant explosions of confetti commemorated the official reopening of the Commons, and a herd of charming reindeer took over for the holiday shopping season. For Summer 2016, we want to try something new: we’re asking community artists of all walks of life to submit their own designs for a chance to see them printed on the banners.
There’s no fee to submit, the theme is open, and there’s no limit to the media you can use. Painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, and digital art are just some of the options. It’s time to get creative! The only rules are that the content must be appropriate for all public audiences and that the compositions must adhere to the banners’ 1:2.5 vertical aspect ratio.
We’re asking that artists submit a preliminary sketch or file by April 18, 2016. This image must be constrained to a 1:2.5 vertical aspect ratio but need not be submitted at print-ready resolution. E.g., a 3″ x 7.5″ drawing on a regular sheet of paper or a 400x1000px digital image would suffice. Just email the image, along with your contact info, to info@downtownithaca.com. Or, mail or drop it off at our office: 171 E. State St. Ste. 136 Ithaca NY 14850.
Then what happens? After all submissions are received, the DIA will convene an advisory jury of art lovers to review and score the submissions. The twelve (12) highest-scored artists will then be invited to submit a final image, which must be clearly reproducible at 1872x4680px. These images will be printed on vinyl banners to be installed in time for the Art in the Heart opening reception and tour on July 1, 2016. The banners will remain on display through November and will be auctioned off during Ice Fest to support expanded public art programs in 2017. As a thank-you, all participating artists will receive a print of their design on a smaller vinyl banner suitable for indoor display. Artists will also be acknowledged in our print, online, and mobile Art in the Heart/Art in the Air guides.
Some boring legalese: Submissions will be accepted from any individual or group. Youth, students, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and elders are all strongly encouraged to apply. Artists will retain copyright to all submitted designs with the caveat that they will be reproduced and shared by the DIA and partnering agencies for promotional and documentary purposes. Any artists who submit hardcopy artwork to the DIA will be able to pick their pieces back up after imaging although we cannot arrange for return mailing. Selected artists will receive no cash compensation and will agree to relinquish all ownership and droit de suite-type rights to the final vinyl banners, which will remain the property of the DIA until sold at a benefit auction at the close of the exhibition. Banner designs will be selected, and may be subsequently moved or removed, at the sole discretion of the DIA, which independently manages the seasonal banner program as per its MOU with the City of Ithaca; the community jury will rank the submissions “blind” (without name or title appended) but will operate in an advisory capacity for this iteration of the banner program only.
Thanks… we can’t wait to see all your beautiful designs!
DowntownITH 
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