Something New IX

More Info: bainbridgecurrents.com/classified/something-new-ix-call-for-art

Arts and Humanities Bainbridge (AHB), Public Art Committee (PAC) and the City of Bainbridge Island (COBI) invite all local and PNW artists (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, California, and possibly Vancouver, BC.) to submit their artwork for Something New Phase IX.  Five sculptures will be selected as part of the Something New IX rotating art exhibition for 2026.  Each selected artist will receive a $2,200 honorarium with the opportunity to be recognized for a $1,500 People’s Choice Award.

More Info: bainbridgecurrents.com/classified/something-new-ix-call-for-art

Name & Location: 

Something New; A Rotating Art Exhibit, Bainbridge Island, Washington 

Sponsors: 

Arts and Humanities Bainbridge (AHB), Bainbridge Public Art Committee (PAC), and the City of Bainbridge Island (COBI) 

Honoraria: 

$2,200 to each of up to 5 selected Artists with the opportunity to be recognized for a $1,500 People’s Choice Award. Artist Travel Stipend: $250, for travel expenses related to installation / deinstallation of Something New public art. 

Eligibility: 

The Something New Program is an opportunity to represent all members of our community through Public Art, and we welcome all regional artists to apply (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, California, and possibly Vancouver, BC.) 

We actively encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, and young emerging artists to apply 

Deadline:  April 10, 2026

Program Description:

The Something New program is a dynamic public art experience as well as an ongoing opportunity for sculptors to exhibit their work. The exhibit places sculptures in five outdoor locations in downtown Winslow on beautiful Bainbridge Island. The five locations are located inside the boundaries of the Bainbridge Creative District. The state of Washington now hosts 10+ Certified Creative Districts, which are defined as a walkable neighborhood designated hub for creative sector jobs, tourist, and cultural activities.

The five Something New locations include pedestals in front of Town & Country Market on Winslow Way and Erickson Avenue, at the south end of Madison Ave, S. (in the Doc’s plaza), at the entry door of The Bainbridge Island City Hall building, and in two spots along the central path in Waterfront Park.

Selected works will remain on display for approximately 11 months after which they will be removed to make room for the next collection of selected sculptures, offering Bainbridge Islanders and visitors “something new” every year.

In addition to the five new pieces to be temporarily exhibited as part of the Something New IX exhibit, Bainbridge Island has a Public Art Collection consisting of many permanent works, the majority of which are also located in downtown Winslow.

The City’s Public Art Program is supported by volunteer members of the Public Art Committee (PAC), a sub-committee of Arts & Humanities Bainbridge (AHB). For more information, please visit: www.bainbridgecurrents.com/public-art

Exhibition Guidelines:

Any artwork being submitted must be completed at the time of submission.

Submitted artwork can not be sold before, and must remain available through June 2026 or until the final jury selections have been made.

Artwork must be of suitable scale for outdoor public art and be of high artistic quality.

We encourage sculptures that reflect the character, history, or values of the Bainbridge Island community, fostering a sense of place and connection.

Artwork must require only minimal maintenance, if any, and be able to withstand the effects of weather, be resistant to vandalism to the extent possible, be able to withstand pedestrian contact, and not impede passing pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic.

Artwork will be on loan to the City during the exhibition period and must be available for sale to the public. If a sculpture is purchased, the Artwork cannot be removed before the end of the exhibition period. If purchased by COBI, a 25% commission is paid by the artist and the funds will be deposited into the COBI Public Art Sub Fund.

Concrete pedestals are provided for the display of each sculpture. The anchoring method will be approved by the City Engineer. The typical requirement is 1⁄2” Titen HD bolts that screw through a baseplate. Bolts are provided by PAC/City Engineer.

When selected, each Artist will be required to submit detailed information relating to the proposed anchoring method. Unless otherwise established with the City Engineer, the baseplate holes must be drilled to 3/4 inches to accommodate the bolts. Each concrete pad is a different size. Pedestals are described in the Attachment Diagrams of Pedestals and Sculpture Connection Detail, which describes the dimension of each pedestal.

During the exhibition period, COBI will maintain liability insurance to cover any damages incurred.

It is the Artist’s responsibility to deliver and oversee the installation of their sculpture in June of 2026 and to be present for the removal at the end of the exhibition in June of 2027 (or a to-be-determined date).

Artwork cannot be shipped as there is no available storage space or staff available for this purpose.

PAC reserves the right to reject work that is not the same Artwork as was selected in response to this call. Artwork may also be rejected if it does not meet COBI standards of durability, safety, and quality.

Benefits Artists Will Receive:

• A $2,200.00 honorarium paid to selected artists.
• Promotion for Artwork to be purchased.
• Artist profile video created relating to the art piece, their work, and practice.
• Marketing and PR to include a feature article on Currents (the AHB hosted website at bainbridgecurrents.com), as well as in local community publications.
• Promotion during Opening Reception events in August of 2026 by Bainbridge Downtown Association during the First Friday Downtown Art Walk. (public/social gatherings permitted.)
• A stipend of $1,500 People’s Choice Award, as chosen by community vote, to one of the program Artists.
• Travel Stipend of $250.

2026 Timeline:

• February 2: SNVIII People’s Choice Voting Begins.
• February 17: Call For Art Distributed.
• April 10: Call For Art Closed For Submissions.
• April 13 - 17: The Jury Convenes And Completes Selections.
• April 20 - April 24: Artists Will Be Notified Of The Jury’s Decision.
• April 28 - May 12: City Council Presentation Of Something New Selections.
• Late May: Agreements / Contracts With COBI Signed With Artists.
• June: Deinstallation Of Something New VIII Sculptures In Conjunction With Deinstallation, People’s Choice Award Event.
• Late June (By July 1): Installation Of Something New IX Sculptures.
• August (First Friday Art Walk): Opening Reception Of Something New IX In Conjunction With First Friday Art Walk. Artists Invited To Attend, But Not Required.
• August / September: Artists Will Be Interviewed About Their Work. Recordings Will Be Made Available On AHB And COBI Websites.
• January 2027: Press Release And Voting For The People’s Choice Award Begins.

2027 Timeline:

• January / March: People’s Choice Voting Continues.
• February: People’s Choice Selected.
• June: In Conjunction With Deinstallation, People’s Choice Award Event.
• June: Deinstall Something New IX.

Promotions Artists will be featured on the following:

Arts & Humanities Bainbridge website (www.bainbridgecurrents.com) and as located within the BCD (Bainbridge Creative District).

City of Bainbridge Island’s website (www.bainbridgewa.gov).

Each artist’s website will be linked on AHB's Website for additional exposure to their larger body of work. Each sculpture will be featured on its own page on Currents throughout the program year.

Artist Interviews will be shared on AHB's website and social media. In addition to the Opening Celebration, subsequent First Friday Art Walks will provide additional exposure.

Each sculpture pedestal will feature a plaque with the Artist's name and sculpture title. The plaque will also recognize the project’s sponsors and provide contact information for potential purchase.

Additional opportunities for artist-community interactions including interviews will be scheduled during installation, People’s Choice Awards Ceremony, or other events.

By submitting an application, the Artist acknowledges that AHB, PAC, and the City of Bainbridge Island may use photographs or videos of the Artists and their Artwork to promote the Public Art Program.

The Artist agrees to be interviewed and videotaped and have the interview appear on community websites that may include but are not limited to:

• Arts and Humanities Bainbridge (AHB.)
• Currents (AHB’s community cultural website.)
• City of Bainbridge Island (COBI.)
• City or Community YouTube Channel.

Selection Process:

The Selection Committee will consist of jurors to include representatives from PAC, the Artist community, and local business representative(s). The Committee will primarily be concerned with the quality and suitability of the submitted sculptures. We actively encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, and young emerging artists to apply.

Submission Process:

Each artist may submit up to five (5) sculptures for review online via CaFÉ. Each sculpture should be submitted in its own application.

Submission Requirements Include:

• Artist’s Resume.
• Artist's Statement.
• Artist’s Contact Information.
• Description of Sculpture.
• Indication of site preference (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 as described below, or no preference.)
• 3-5 Images with annotated Image List: (2000 words limit.)
• Acknowledgment of review of Sample Contractual Arrangement.(Sample Contract is for reference purposes, actual contract to be presented at a later time. See Attachment, Sample Contractual Agreement.)
• Purchase Price.

Contractual Agreement:

This process is being managed and facilitated by AHB, PAC, and COBI. The Artist will be entering into an agreement with the City of Bainbridge Island. A sample agreement is attached (see Attachment 4, Sample Contractual Agreement). Artists must review prior to submitting to be sure they can comply with all terms and conditions.

If the Artwork is sold during the time it is on display or as a result of being on display, the Bainbridge Island Public Art Fund will receive a 25% commission. Artists will be asked to indicate the amount they would like to receive if the sculpture is sold. Promotional materials will list a purchase price. Artist’s prices must include the 25% commission and any applicable sales tax.

Application Deadline: April 10, 2026

Attachments:

SNIX Call Description

SNIX Site Descriptions

SNIX Public Art Walking Map 

SNIX Sample Contract / Not Final 

SNIX Site Pedestals 1-5 Diagrams

SNIX Timeline (2026-2027)

More Info: bainbridgecurrents.com/classified/something-new-ix-call-for-art

• Artist’s Resume
• Artist's Statement
• Artist’s Contact Information
• Description of Sculpture
• Indicate preference for site (1,2, 3, 4 or 5 as described below, or no preference)
• 3-5 Images with annotated Image List: (2000 words limit)
• Acknowledgment of review of Sample Contractual Arrangement (see Attachment, Sample Contractual Agreement​)
• Sales price if sold to City of Bainbridge Island

More Info: bainbridgecurrents.com/classified/something-new-ix-call-for-art

The Something New Program is an opportunity to represent all members of our community through Public Art, and we welcome all regional artists to apply (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, California, and possibly Vancouver, BC.)

We actively encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, and young emerging artists to apply.