2025/2026 Call to Artists 

Summit Public Art

Summit, New Jersey

summitpublicarts@gmail.com

https://www.summitpublicart.com/

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About Us:

Summit Public Art is a volunteer-based, city organization whose mission is to bring public art to public spaces in Summit. Since its inception in 2002, Summit Public Art has installed over 100 diverse temporary works of art from artists of national and international renown, as well as emerging artists. The artists’ works span across a broad range of media including metal, glass, stone, wood, fiber, and synthetics. Summit Public Art has also installed several permanent public art works, including stained glass panels in the bus shelters, the gateway project, Silver Sentinel by Douwe Blumberg, Summit Beacon, by artist Ray King, and Mama Bear and Cub by Dale Rogers.

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This is a call for temporary art, with a possibility for extension, and potential for permanent acquisition

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Summit Public Art’s Temporary Art Program:

• Installations typically remain in place for 1 - 2 years.

• Installation sites are typically situated in downtown Summit, in city parks, and other high visibility locations.

• SPA provides identifying signage for artwork at the site.

• SPA provides public relation opportunities.

 

The Review Process:

All art installation proposals are reviewed by the Art Selection Committee with subsequent

approval required by the full Summit Public Art Board. Once approved, finalists’ proposals are

submitted to the City of Summit for final approval. Upon final approval by the City, the artist

enters into a contractual agreement with the City of Summit.

 

Submission Requirements:

Summit Public Art welcomes proposals for our upcoming installation cycle and asks artists to

provide the following, using our Artist Proposal Form found on the Summit Public Art website,

summitpublicart.com. Please submit your proposal via email to summitpublicarts@gmail.com.

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All proposals must include:

• Artist’s résumé or CV, including information and details about educational background, previous work, gallery showings, and past experience in public art exhibits.

• Artist’s Statement conveying your vision as an artist and your body of work in 150 words or less.

• Project Description highlighting your creative intentions, including how your artwork interprets the theme.

• Digital images of proposed artwork, as well as 3 to 5 images of past work in jpeg format.

• Include an associated image list including title, date of completion, medium, dimensions, and location. Each image should be no larger than 500 MB, with the total digital presentation not to exceed 1 GB.

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Artwork for consideration should avoid:

• Fragile and easily damaged or breakable materials such as paper or glass.

• Sharp edges, points, projections, or pinch-points, which may cut, puncture or cause injury by impact, catching passing pedestrian clothing or entrapment of limbs.

• Overhead parts, which present a hazard to pedestrian traffic. Artwork should follow minimum sign height requirements in areas where pedestrian traffic is likely.

• Unsafe climbing opportunities for children/adults.

• Obstruction of any traffic control device.

• Cynical, pornographic, and otherwise obscene artwork deemed inappropriate for general audiences.

 

All work must be suitable for outdoor display in the Northeastern United States, with its variety

of climatic conditions

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The following non-artistic items will not be considered:

• Reproductions of original works of art

• Decorative, ornamental, or functional elements.

• “Art objects” which are mass-produced of standard design.

• Directional or other functional elements such as super-graphics, signs, color coding, or maps.

 

Artist’s Responsibilities:

• Fabrication, transportation, installation, and deinstallation. Tools, materials and equipment are not provided by Summit Public Art.

• Timely and proper installation and removal of artwork.

• Technical reports prepared by a licensed engineer, if needed.

• Maintenance of artwork, if necessary.

 

About the City of Summit

• Summit is home to more than 21,000 people with approximately 175,000 people within a five mile radius.

• The city is a major transport hub. Over 17,000 visitors come to Summit daily.

• Summit is a diverse community with residents who speak more than 35 languages.

• The city is an economically and culturally diverse community -- the Visual Arts Center of NJ, Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit Playhouse, plus many other arts and cultural organizations call Summit home.