2027 site-specific art galleries

The City of Auburn is seeking artists and artist teams from the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho) who:

• Can develop a site-responsive three-dimensional or immersive public art display for either the Art on Main Gallery or Vault Gallery exhibition spaces that will be on display for three-month periods over the 2027 year.

• Can successfully and fully activate a window-front space that is visible to the public 24/7 or a small indoor visitor-accessible gallery space

• Is an experienced artist seeking a unique location to exhibit artwork.

• Can create innovative artwork to engage the community and activate downtown Auburn.

DESCRIPTION

The City of Auburn, Washington, seeks applications from regional artists to install 3-dimensional or multi-media art installations in two site-specific gallery spaces in downtown Auburn: the Art on Main Gallery and the Vault Gallery. Both spaces provide a $1,000 artist stipend to support the creation of new work and site-specific projects, or the installation of existing work.

TIMELINE

• Notification of accepted artists: October 2026

• Four time slots for the 2027 year:

  • January – March

  • April – June

  • July – September

  • October  – December

PROCESS

Phase One

• Submit application by 10:59 PM Pacific Time on September 2th, 2026

• Applications are reviewed annually by a rotating jury consisting of: artists, arts professionals, employees of the City of Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation department, City of Auburn Arts Commission members, or representatives of neighborhood art groups

• Applicants notified of results in October 2025. Selected artists move on to phase two.

Phase Two

• City of Auburn art staff works with selected artists to discuss proposal and schedule their installation.

• Artists submit a more detailed proposal for the specific project at least one month before installation. The proposal will then be reviewed and approved by City of Auburn art staff.

Phase Three

• Artist receives contract, and begins installation on assigned date.

• Artist provides ongoing maintenance as needed during the duration of the display.

• Artist completes de-installation on assigned date.