World Bank hosts visual arts competition

In a press release the bank said “About Change offers a unique opportunity for emerging artists to highlight the regions concerns and achievements, while providing them with exposure within the international art community.” The visual arts accepted include fine arts: painting sculpture, drawing, video, printmaking, photography, mixed media, video art, experimental film and digital animation. In the field of decorative arts: design; product design, graphic design, textile and fashion design; and in folk art: popular art and indigenous art and craft.

The winning works will be displayed in rotating exhibitions held at the bank’s offices in Washington, DC and Paris as well as at its Cultural Centre and at the Art Museum of the Americas of the OAS, both in Washington, DC. Additionally, artists and their works will be featured on the projects art catalogue and website.

According to the release participation is open to emerging visual artists or groups of artists of any age from member countries of the World Bank Group in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Submissions must be made no later than April 30 and selected artists will be notified by the end of May 2010. Priority will be given to artists born and currently working in the said locations though artists born in other regions but work primarily in these areas and those in the Diaspora are also eligible to apply.

The bank said from the artworks selected for display a number will be acquired and included in the permanent collections of partnering institutions. Additionally, the World Bank Art Programme will identify from the pool of selected artists the recipient of the World Bank Art Programme Artists Workshop Award.