Not sure if this is helpful or not, but we have found that the emerging artist designation doesn't work as well for us in public art in Memphis the way it does in a gallery context. We are currently working with some folks who are well established in their artistic practice with their studio work, but are just venturing into public art for the first time (which is very exciting!). So we have been using language to note opportunities that work well for artists who are looking to expand their practice into public spaces rather than emerging.