Hello Lamp Post Courtesy Philip Rogers Photography[/caption]

The city is calling all Austin-area artists to submit proposals for temporary public artwork.

Visual artists in the seven-county area are eligible to apply for grants that fund temporary works, which range from $3,000 to $10,000 each. Approved artwork will be displayed at various city-owned sites, such as parkland, libraries and rights-of-way, between July and December. Artists are encouraged to submit proposals for short-term artwork or time-based performances geared toward specific sites.

Artwork proposals can be submitted online until 5 p.m. April 24. This will be the third round of public art projects to be funded by the city’s TEMPO program, which first awarded artists grant money in 2008 and again in 2013–14, according to Meghan Wells, Art in Public Places administrator. Eleven projects from eight artists and two artist teams were selected to create various art installations last time TEMPO funding was awarded.

The Art in Public Places is funded by a 1985 city law that requires 1 percent of all Austin capital improvement budgets to be dedicated to public art purchases, making Austin the first Texas city to have such a public arts program. The law changed in 2002 to 2 percent to double Austin’s commitment to public art.

Wells told Community Impact Newspaper in February that inclusion in the city’s TEMPO program can help an artist’s chances of being selected to commission a permanent public art display. There are about 180 permanent pieces in the city’s existing art stock, Wells said.

Her office will host an informational meeting about this year’s TEMPO submission process at 5:30 p.m. April 9 at the city’s Cultural Arts Division offices, 201 E. Second St. The office will also be open 2–4 p.m. April 10 for regular office hours.

For more information, visit the TEMPO website.