Climate Resilience Visual Art Call

Call Summary

The University of Washington Climate Impacts Group is seeking qualifications for a two-dimensional visual art piece depicting climate resilience in the Northwest. This call is open to emerging artists located in the Northwestern United States. We define emerging artists as artists who have not received a commission greater than $10,000 or do not have commercial gallery representation. The budget for this project is $3,000.

Applications are due Monday, February 22. The selected artist will be announced in late March. The selected artist must complete their work by June 30, 2021, and present their work at a celebration for the Climate Impacts Group’s 25th anniversary at the end of June or in early July (exact date to be determined).

Artists will be compensated $3,000 for their time and materials.

Project Description

The Climate Impacts Group is commissioning a new two-dimensional original artwork that celebrates climate resilience and imagines a future in which the Northwest is prepared for the effects of a changing climate. We seek work that illustrates a possible future where we have adapted our systems so all can thrive.

In the Northwest and around the world, we are experiencing the effects of human-caused climate change. From extreme wildfire and drought impacting health and livelihoods, to sea level rise and flooding altering the landscapes of our coasts, we know that the impacts of a changing climate are serious — and are projected to get worse.

And yet there is hope for a future where these changes are minimized by rapid decarbonization, and where communities and ecosystems are resilient in the face of these impacts. There is hope because every day, people across the Northwest are making decisions to help us prepare for — and thrive in — the climate of the future. We are adjusting our infrastructure to prevent extreme flooding, constructing highway passages so elk, deer and other animals can find new habitat in a changing landscape, and bringing communities together to prepare for the effects of wildfire smoke.

The commissioned artist is encouraged to explore diverse materials to create a two-dimensional artwork that can be easily transported, presented in multiple locations and presented digitally.

This work is being commissioned as part of a celebration of climate resilience marking the Climate Impacts Group’s 25th anniversary. We’ve been working since 1995 to develop scientific understanding and catalyze regional action to address climate risks.