The City of Salem, MA is excited to launch a Call for Public Artists & Creatives for the City’s 2024 Artists’ Row Public Artist in Residence Program (PAiR).
Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the Salem Public Art Commission seek Creatives to participate in the City of Salem’s 5th Annual Artists’ Row Public Artist in Residence (PAiR) initiative.
Artists’ Row consists of four artists ‘stalls’, a restaurant, and a public restroom and is centrally located in the heart of historic downtown Salem, 24 New Derby St., across from Old Town Hall and Derby Square. This area was originally built as an open-air marketplace and continues to serve the community as a thriving artist center, public plaza, and pedestrian way.
The Artists’ Row initiative is a seasonal program that provides space for artists and artisans looking to build their audience and/or arts practice through daily engagement with residents and visitors to Salem. The City of Salem respects, values, and celebrates the diverse life experiences and unique heritages, attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. We believe that bringing diverse individuals together through the Arts allows us to collectively and more effectively address the issues that face our communities.
Participation in the Artists’ Row program is envisioned as a springboard opportunity for creatives wherever they are in their career that can help take them to the next stage/level in their unique professional development journey. It is very much a shared space for artists and visitors alike, where creativity happens, and unique arts-related goods and activities can be experienced in an animated public setting.
The Public Artist in Residence or “PAiR” program was established in 2020 to help elevate and activate Artists’ Row. The role of Public Artist in Residence is one of Community Engagement and Arts- Centered Programming. The program imbeds artists in this unique downtown public way with the goal of contributing to and enhancing the cultural vitality of Artists’ Row and the greater Salem community.
The City is currently looking to fill one (1) PAID position for a Public Artist in Residence, lasting for a term of 8 months. The City is interested in uses that will contribute to the vibrancy of the Artists’ Row community and this important gateway to Salem’s bustling downtown. The variety of activities/uses will be considered for the PAiR studio and include, but are not limited to, programming such as original uniquely produced or large scale handcrafted temporary public artworks, performances, art ‘happenings’, art ‘interventions’, art making, and art installations and immersive experiences.
Submission Deadline is Thursday, August 31, 2023 by 4pm
For more information and to view the full Call for Artists visit:
https://www.salemma.gov/public-art-commission/pages/calls-artists.
About City of Salem Arts & Culture
The City of Salem is committed to enriching & enlivening the urban environment through showcasing innovative & transformative works of art in all media & modalities. With a focus on working with local artists, especially those historically underrepresented, we seek to foster greater community awareness of & interaction with the arts and celebrate diversity in all its forms. Our goal is to nurture diversity & creativity; foster a sense of community pride & belonging; and enhance the quality of life for all. Learn more at https://www.salemma.gov/arts-culture.
About Artists’ Row
Artists’ Row is at the heart of the City, centrally located in historic downtown Salem at 24 New Derby St., across from Old Town Hall and Derby Square. It was originally built as a marketplace and continues to be a thriving public plaza and pedestrian way. Artists’ Row consists of four artist ‘stalls’, a restaurant, and a public restroom and The Artists’ Row Initiative is a seasonal program run by the City of Salem’s office of Arts & Culture that provides space for artists and artisans looking to build their audience and/or business through daily engagement with residents and visitors to Salem. Learn more at: https://www.salemma.gov/artists-row.
About the Salem Public Art Commission
The Salem Public Art Commission (PAC) is committed to enriching and enlivening the urban environment through innovative and transformative works of art in all media and modalities. With a focus on local artists and a global perspective of the art scene, PAC seeks to foster greater community awareness of and interaction with the arts, enhance the scope of Salem’s public art collection, and celebrate diversity in all its forms among citizens and visitors of Salem’s alike. The PAC feels Public Art in Salem should contribute to the community’s identity as the cultural hub of the North Shore and a center for creativity; foster community pride, ownership and a sense of belonging; and enhance the quality of Salem’s built environment. To see other Calls for Art from the PAC please visit: https://www.salemma.gov/public-art-commission/pages/calls-artists.
