May 2024 represents the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. Topeka is gearing up for a summer-long civil rights commemoration for 2024 and ArtsConnect is committed to making the arts an integral component of that effort.

ArtsConnect is currently seeking artists and/or artist collectives who are interested in undertaking the creation of collaborative and meaningful artwork centered on critical discussion of both the historic and contemporary heritage of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. This project will be the centerpiece of a summer filled with community exploration and meaningful conversation about equity and justice.

The project will be facilitated by ArtsConnect in collaboration with the City of Topeka, Visit Topeka, Inc. and other local partners. The artist selection process will be facilitated by Group Creative Services, a public art consultancy that connects organizations, governments and businesses with artists to create projects of distinction that advance civic goals. 

ArtsConnect is currently seeking expressions of interest and examples of work, which are due by December 5, 2022. Three (3) artists/artist collectives will be selected by a jury of project stakeholders to develop full project proposals which will be due in January 2023. Artists chosen to present full proposals will each receive a $2,500 stipend for that work. The total project budget is estimated at $200,00-$350,000. The full RFQ is available via CaFÉ.

The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission maintains an approved roster of Kansas-based artists working specifically on public art and mural projects. Applicants for this roster must have a history of community engaged public work and maintain a reasonable fee range. Roster artists are required to work outside their community regularly. Artists will work on public projects as well as provide optional services that may include workshops, master classes, lecture-demonstrations, arts education components, residencies, or short performances.

The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission is now accepting applications for inclusion in the Kansas Touring Artist and the Mural and Public Art Roster. The deadline for consideration this round is Monday, Nov. 14, 2022.