2024 UMA Artist Call Information

ABOUT THE UNDERWATER MUSEUM OF ART:

The Underwater Museum of Art (UMA), the first permanent underwater sculpture museum in the United States and 2023 CODAaward winner for Collaboration of the Year, calls for artists to create design proposals for original sculpture that will become part of a permanent  exhibition and artificial reef system on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico. The UMA is a collaboration between the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) and South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA), two not-for-profit organizations located in Walton County in Northwest Florida.

Named by TIME Magazine in 2018 as one of the “World’s 100 Greatest Places,” the UMA is part of the CAA’s Art In Public Spaces program and augments SWARA's mission of developing and maintaining an extensive artificial reef system offering divers, snorkelers, fishermen, and researchers near-shore access to a thriving marine ecosystem. The UMA provides enhanced cultural, economic and educational opportunities for the benefit, education, and enjoyment of Walton County residents and visitors.

Deployment of sculptures as artificial reefs provides a source of biological replenishment and protective marine habitat. The sculptures quickly attract a wide variety of marine life, and over time, evolve into a living reef. This eco/arts-tourism attraction not only entices art lovers and divers from around the world; it also provides a much-needed habitat for local marine life and fisheries and an opportunity for marine scientists, wildlife management professionals, ecologists, and students to study marine life and measure the impact of artificial reef systems on the Gulf ecosystem.

The UMA is produced in conjunction with SWARA’s existing USACOE and FDEP permitted artificial reef project that includes nine nearshore reefs located within one nautical mile of the shore in approximately 58 feet of water. A one-acre patch off the shore of Grayton Beach State Park has been dedicated to the UMA project.

Annually, artists are invited to submit their work to be considered for permanent exhibit in the UMA, and the sculptures are created above ground and delivered to Walter Marine where each is attached to a custom pedestal made of marine-grade cement. The sculptures are then transported by barge and carefully installed on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico. 

The first installation of seven sculptures took place in June 2018, and the fifth installation happened in July 2023, bringing the UMA collection to 40 original pieces of work.

GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA ARTIST ELIGIBILITY:

This opportunity is open to artists and artist teams with a demonstrated history of collaboration completing large and small scale public art projects.

Following the application deadline, the CAA will convene a panel of arts and marine environment specialists to review the applications and select seven proposals for completion and installation. Each artist or artist team will receive a $7,500 stipend inclusive of design fees, materials, labor, fabrication, construction, packing materials, shipping, and transportation. 

Once selections are made, artists will be notified and have approximately six months to complete and deliver work to Walter Marine in Orange Beach, AL to be attached to its custom pedestal. Sculptures will then be transported by barge to the Gulf and carefully submerged to the floor. 

Lead artists previously chosen to produce a sculpture for the UMA are eligible for consideration twice in a three-year period. Artists may submit more than one design for consideration, but a separate application must be completed for each design.

ARTWORK CONSIDERATIONS & CRITERIA:

Work must be the artist’s own creation, not a copy or replica, and adhere to the following: 

SIZE: 

There is no one-size-fits-all rule, but artists should keep in mind that bigger/taller/heavier/less detailed sculptures will fare better at 58’ water depths. If a piece is too short or small, it is less likely to be noticeable or sustainable in these waters.
 

DIMENSIONS:

Dimensions may vary slightly with approval) Minimum dimensions: 5 feet x 5 feet. Maximum dimensions: 15 feet x 15 feet. Maximum height: 15 feet. Minimum weight: 500 lbs. Maximum weight: 5,000 lbs. Delivered (without permanent base) *also see flange requirements below 

Note: If the sculpture is, for example, 8 feet wide x 4 feet tall, it can still be mounted as long as it has a substantial flange. All sculptures will be embedded about 6 inches into the pedestal so they need some sort of flange on bottom (the bottom 6 inches will be lost to sight in the pedestal system). This will ensure there is enough material to embed into the pedestal so the unit will stay attached and upright.
 

APPROVED MATERIALS:

Clean concrete and limestone are the only approved materials to be used for the bulk of the sculpture. Heavy gauge steel products may be incorporated into the design, but it must be a minimum ¼” gauge or greater. Stainless steel should be grade 316 and aluminum should be specified as grade 5053, both of which are non-corrosive. 

All materials will be vetted to conform to permit. 

Artists should take into account the presence of boat anchors in and around the UMA site and should make their best effort in the design to mitigate risk of damage to artwork by anchors.

Each artist will be required to provide check-ins that include both photos and video, along with virtual meetings, throughout the build process to prove the materials and build methods are followed.
 

THEME:

There is no design theme to which your proposal should conform. However, no political, religious, or discriminatory designs will be considered. Link to images and more info: umafl.org. 

Deployment CANNOT be guaranteed if artwork is not received by this date. Artists will be given a point of contact for delivery and will provide details to point of contact when they are available, including method of transportation, bill of lading, packaging, disassembly and reassembly requirement, etc.)

Note: Delivery Artwork must be received by April 2024. 

DURABILITY:

Each UMA sculpture will likely have to face a hurricane in its lifetime and these underwater forces are extreme. 

An art piece needs to be able to endure a structural integrity test. At a minimum, an adult should be able to climb on top of the piece without any concern of damage or flexing. This will also ensure that any elements of the work will not break due to vibration during land-based shipping. If a piece does break during shipping, we cannot guarantee deployment or final payment.

BASE: 

DO NOT CREATE YOUR OWN PERMANENT BASE. After delivery, each sculpture will be permanently affixed to a concrete pedestal that weighs approximately 3,000 lbs and measures 8 inches tall. The dimensions of the base will conform to the design of each piece of work. After the sculpture is attached, the pedestal top is embedded with limestone to attract corals. 

Turtle Escape Hollow, voluminous designs must include a top-side turtle escape of 36 inches or greater in size. 

UMA SITE: 

The UMA is a dive site located in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Northwest Florida, specifically in Walton County .7 miles from the shore of Grayton Beach State Park. 

UMA GPS for Super Reef Anchor Point: 30* 18.754’N / 86* 09.521’W (see attached map) Distance from Grayton Beach State Park Coordinates above are .93 nautical miles at 198° heading. Depth 58 feet (+/- 3 feet)

Visibility depends on local weather conditions but average 10-50 feet most of the year. Average water temp at the nearest NOAA buoy is 76.7 F (high is 88.2 F in August, low is 62.4 F in February) 

SUBMISSION PROCESS:

Application is available via culturalartsalliance.submittable.com/submit (Submittable). Interested applicants should register with Submittable in order to view the application. 

Deadline for submissions is October 6th at 11:59 pm CST. Submittable registration is free to artists, and there is no application fee. 

APPLICATION CHECKLIST:

Complete a separate online application for each submission. 

1. Schematic or shop drawing of design concept OR image of proposed existing constructed piece that adheres to guidelines listed above. Please note this image may be posted publicly on the UMA website, social media and included in an international press release. 
2. Artist statement and detailed description of the proposed piece, including title, detailed construction process, materials to be used, weight, dimensions, intention, meaning, inspiration, and any other details that will set your proposal apart. 
3. Six (6) digital high-resolution images of completed 3D work by the Artist or Artist team, including any completed commissioned pieces. Please include any past large- or small-scale public art projects by the Artist or Artist team.
4. One (1) video, edited to no more than two (2) minutes in length, may also be submitted, but is not required. 
5. Annotated Image List: An annotated image list that includes the title, media, year completed, dimensions, location (if site-specific), project budget (if applicable), timeline, and client or commissioning entity for each corresponding image. 
6. Artist’s resume or curriculum vitae (CV) 
7. If applying as an artist team, a list of key team members and their roles/affiliations, including fabricators. Please include the physical address of where the sculpture will be constructed.
    

UMA INTERNATIONAL AWARDS & PRESS ATTENTION:

• International CODAAwards Winner for Public Art Collaboration of the Year, 2023
• Included in TIME Magazine’s 2018 list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places
• Nominated as one of USA TODAY’S 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards
• Featured on NBC national segment in January 2020
• Included in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S Best Trips 2019
• Top 100 finalist for the 2023 CODAawards; 3rd place in People’s Choice Awards

2023/2024 ARTIST TIMELINE:

• Fri, Sept 8: Artist Call Live
• Fri, Oct 6: Artist Call Deadline
• Wed, Nov 1: Mandatory Artist ZOOM Call + Share Contracts with Artists
• Thurs, Nov 9: Signed Contracts Due (payment 1)
• Week of Jan 22: Prog Report 1 - Individual ZOOM meeting (payment 2 released)
• Week of Feb 26: Prog Report 2 - Individual ZOOM meeting (payment 3 released)
• Week of March 25: Prog Report 3 - Individual ZOOM meeting (payment 4 released)
• Sculptures due onsite to Walter Marine by April TBD (final payment not released until team can inspect and sign off on all pieces)
• Wed, May 1: Under the Sea Fundraiser Event
• June/July: Installation *weather permitting*
   

The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County is calling artists who are current members of the CAA to submit designs for consideration as the featured artist for our 2023 Holiday Card. The CAA mails an annual Holiday Card to its members and community partners. 

This call is open to CAA members only. If you are not yet a member, click here to join. The submitted piece(s) must be 2D, original, aged or fresh and may utilize a variety of mediums, including digital. Submissions are suggested to fit horizontal orientation or may be subject to crop/trim to fit on the cover.

The selected submission and artist will be revealed at the Foster Gallery First Friday Fête on November 3, 2023 from 5 - 7 p.m. The art work may then be featured at the Foster Gallery, if it is no larger than 48" x 48," and printed cards will be sold there, as well. 

The selected artist will receive a $250 stipend and 50% of all gross proceeds from the sale of the cards in the Foster Gallery and at the Flutterby Festival on November 12, 2023. 

CRITERIA:  

If submissions do not meet the following criteria, they will not be accepted and considered for the show.

1. All exhibited work must be original. No print reproductions accepted.
2. Artwork must be appropriate to the general public and family-friendly. 
3. Print-ready, hi-resolution artwork (300 dpi) is required.  
4. Only 2D submissions will be considered.
    

TIMELINE:
Call to artists: 9/20/2023 - 10/13/2023 

Artist Notification: 10/18/2023

Reveal Reception: 11/3/2023

Flutterby Festival: 11/12/2023

*Submissions will be accepted ONLY THROUGH SUBMITTABLE. Acceptance of your artwork in the show is solely at the discretion of the CAA. We will not provide a reason for any unaccepted artworks.

The Flutterby Festival, produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, celebrates its 31st year of the migration of the Monarch butterfly through our area with art activities, live music, theatre and dance performances, art exhibits, a butterfly parade and more!

Join us for this free, family-fun event on Sunday, November 12th from 10 AM -  4 PM at the beautiful Watersound Town Center Pavilion. 

We will be accepting a limited number of Food Trucks at this event and they must have a license to operate in Walton County. We expect 1000 attendees throughout the day.

If you would like to participate, please fill out the application below by October 7th. Invitations to participate will be sent out by Oct 14th. $150 fee will be due by Oct 20th. Proceeds benefit the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County’s ‘Art For All’ Program. Details can be found at CulturalArtsAlliance.com.

The 2023 Flutterby Arts Festival celebrates its 31st year of honoring the migration of the Monarch Butterfly through our area with a full day of fun and creativity for the whole family. This year the Flutterby Festival includes a curated artist market, kids' art activities, live music, theatre and dance performances, lawn games, a student butterfly art exhibit, and a butterfly parade! The event, which draws around 1,000 people throughout the day, is scheduled for 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 12th, 2023 at The Pavilion at Watersound® Town Center.

Artists are invited to apply to exhibit and sell their original art work this year at the Flutterby Festival, and a limited number of exhibitors will be selected. The early bird deadline to submit an application* with discounted booth fee is Friday, October 13th, and the final deadline is Friday, October 27th. All submissions will be juried and invitations to participate will be sent out the week of October 30th. Artists will have until Friday, November 3rd to accept the invitation to exhibit and pay your booth fee. 

Exhibitors will be given a 10 X 10 space** located in a park-like setting on pine straw in the heart of the festival next to the Pavilion and the Ambrosia Restaurant.  Load-in will be at 3 p.m.- 6 p.m on November 11th and/or the early morning of November 12th, 2023. 

APPLICATION DEADLINES & BOOTH FEES
Early bird deadline: 11:59 p.m. CST on October 13, 2023
Final deadline: 11:59 p.m. CST on October 27, 2023
Early bird booth fee before October 13 deadline: $125 | $100 CAA Members
Regular booth fee, October 13 - 27: $150

*Artists and vendors will need to submit 1-2 example images of their exhibitor booth and 3 images of artwork in the form below.

**10x10 tent rentals are available for an additional cost of $200. Tent rentals include a 6ft banquet table and two fold-out chairs. Artists are welcome to bring their own tent and exhibit equipment.

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County is calling all artists who are current members of the Cultural Arts Alliance to submit an application to be considered for the 2023 Winter Rotation at the Foster Gallery,  November 14, 2023 through February 13, 2024.   
 

Please study the criteria and submit application ONLINE prior to 11:59 pm on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
 

ABOUT THE FOSTER GALLERY The Foster Gallery is named for the late Susan Foster, a founder of the Cultural Arts Alliance. The Foster Gallery is part of the Miramar Beach Creative Campus featuring regional artist rotations on a quarterly basis as well as special exhibitions. The Foster Gallery at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus will also host artist receptions and openings, workshops in J. Leon Studio, events, and serve as a community gathering point symbolizing the support the CAA strives to give artists in our community, including those who are members of the CAA.  
 

GALLERY LOCATION AND HOURS OF OPERATION Miramar Beach Creative Campus Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Saturday, 11am - 5pm at 13370 Highway 98W, Miramar Beach, FL  32550   
 

HOW IT WORKS Thirty (30) to Thirty Five (35) artists will be selected for each rotation. Artists are not required to work at the gallery, however, they must be current members of the CAA (members do not have to be local). Not a member yet? It's easy to join online.
 

Exhibiting artists will be asked to participate in additional paid and volunteer opportunities, including teaching a workshop, live demonstrations at events, participating in artist talks, and other opportunities at the Miramar Beach Creative Campus. Artists are encouraged to attend their rotation opening reception and the First Friday Foster Gallery Fêtes.
 

The sales split is 60% artist and 40% CAA. The CAA is responsible for all overhead, including rent, utilities, commissions, marketing, event costs, and insurance of the gallery and its contents. All sales will be processed through the CAA, and artists will receive bi-weekly settlements. The gallery features ongoing special exhibitions throughout the year and may also host invitationals at the CAA’s discretion.      
 

TIMELINE
Call to artists:  September 25, 2023 - October 24, 2023
Artist notification: November 2, 2023
Art Drop-off and Pick Up date: November 11, 2023
Rotation begins: November 14, 2023
Rotation ends: February 13, 2024, 5:00pm

ARTIST CRITERIA  Accepted artists MUST meet the following criteria: 

• Artist must be a current member of the CAA. Membership is open to all artists regardless of their location. Visit CulturalArtsAlliance.com/join to submit your information.
• Artists are required to submit work(s) that they will be bringing in to the gallery for that rotation. If you bring different work to the gallery upon your acceptance your work will not be hung and will be sent back with you.
• Artist must drop off artwork on designated date.
• Artist must pick up art on specified date at end of rotation.
• Artist must be available to attend gallery events & receptions (as needed).
• All exhibited work must be original work created by the applying artist. All exhibited work must be for sale. Prints and giclées are not allowed on the exhibit walls (except photography). If you have exhibited in a previous rotation, please do not submit all of the same artwork.
• Artist must have a specified number of pieces (to be determined prior to the rotation start date) on exhibit at any given time throughout rotation. 
• Artist must agree to a 60% artist / 40% CAA split of each sale. 
• Artist must be able to provide a replacement piece within 48 hours after the sale of an exhibited piece.
• Artist must provide an inventory of art pieces in a digital file that lists Price, Title, Medium, Dimensions & and if the piece is framed or not upon delivery of artwork.
• Artist must pay a 10% referral fee to the CAA for any commissions that are generated because of the artist’s participation in the gallery.
• Please note we are very selective about artists' acceptance who will follow every rule listed in our terms and conditions, we may reject or return any work that does not meet our guidelines, no exceptions.
   

HOW TO APPLY
Submit your application ONLINE before 11:59pm CST on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. You will need to set up an account with Submittable if you do not already have one. You only have to set up your account one time, but you will need to submit to artist calls individually. All submissions forms must be filled on a laptop or a desktop, forms submitted through smartphones, ipads or tablets will not reach our team.