Artist Call

 

Artists or artist teams whose designs are chosen will be given a $700 stipend to purchase materials of their choice for a designated piano. Artists will be given a space at the Community Arts Workshop (CAW) to paint pianos. All pianos will be provided and transported by the Pianos On State team. Participating artists will be recognized on the Pianos On State Street website, piano banners, and all other marketing and publicity materials.  
 

This year we are asking for designs using the theme of Fantasy. 
The Arts Collaborative is challenging artists to create designs using the theme of Fantasy inspired by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s current show, As if in a Dream: History, Fantasy, Future. As explained by SBMA, the show up until January 2027, “…explores how artists give fleeting memories a durable form, envision a future, and reimagine the everyday into the visionary.” 

Applications open on June 1st and close on July 10th at midnight.

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Guidelines (please read the following carefully):

• Pianos on State exists to foster a sense of community, connection, and shared humanity. Piano designs should be suitable for all ages and apolitical. Advertising, political lobbying, copyrighted images, hate speech and profanity are prohibited.

• To ensure the longevity of the artwork, loose materials like glitter and sand cannot be included in the design.

• This project is open to artists living and working in Santa Barbara or Ventura Counties.

• As a public art program, this is an opportunity for emerging and professional artists alike to showcase their work through a unique project. Individual artists and small collaborative teams are both eligible, though teams must use one application.

• In order to accommodate new painters preference will be given to artists who have not previously painted a piano, or to artists who have not painted a piano in several years. If you were a piano-painter in the immediately preceding year (2025), the selection committee will likely pass on your submission in 2026 in order to give new artists, or artists who have not participated in some time, a chance. 

  • If you participated in 2025, please apply again in 2027! If you participated in 2024 or earlier, please apply this year! We love having veteran piano artists back, and we also want to give new artists a chance. 

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To Submit, Please Include:

• Three digital examples of your proposed piano design that deals with the subject of "Fantasy". 

• Two digital examples of past artwork that shows your ability to paint a piano.

• One paragraph stating your design concept for your piano and what drew you to apply to this project.