Lots to think about with this.  What is the client expecting by way of scale and materials? Is there to be integrated electronics and lighting? What is the expected longevity of the project?  Do they want a “name” artist or just someone who can do a good job?  

Any artist can work with any given amount, but what they come up with may not meet the expectations of the client.  If the client wants all the bells and whistles included in a piece 50 ft tall and 20 feet wide, $90,000 is not going to cut it.  I recommend getting all those things figured out up front and then setting the budget—then communicating the expectations to applicant artists.

Julia Muney Moore
Director of Public Art

Arts Council of Indianapolis
924 N. Pennsylvania St.
Indianapolis, IN  46204
o (317) 631-3301 x240
m (317) 332-8382
e jmoore@indyarts.org





On Oct 11, 2018, at 11:58 AM, James Martin (via public_art_network list) <public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com> wrote:

Hi all, one of my public art clients is seeking advice about appropriate budget amounts.

This is the largest project that this small client has ever undertaken, and it is creating a lot of heartburn for the key stakeholders.

The project is located in a mall, with thousands of viewers. There has been discussion of setting the budget at $90,000. From my perspective, the bare minimum for a successful project is $150,000. I have advocated that the ideal budget amount is $200,000.

I have explained that most artists working in the public realm are like small businesses, and have accrued significant debt while learning how to work successfully as an artist in the public realm. I have also explained that, because most public artists are sole proprietors, they often need a significant break after a big project, which is difficult to pull off if they have a lot of debt.

Your thoughts?
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