MINT SEEKS ARTISTIC INFUSION PROGRAM APPLICANTS

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V21 2018 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 21, Number 35, September 2, 2018, Article 18

In a press release this week, the U.S. Mint put out a call for artists to join its Artistic Infusion Program. This is a great opportunity for artists to put their work before millions of citizens and collectors in the longest-lasting format known to man. Pass the word to the talented people in your circle. The application deadline is October 29, 2018. -Editor

The United States Mint is pleased to announce a call for artists to participate in its Artistic Infusion Program (AIP). Established in 2003, the AIP serves to enrich and invigorate the design of United States coins and medals by developing a pool of outside artists in graphic design, sculpture, engraving, drawing, painting, and other visual arts. These artists work closely with the United States Mint’s staff, including Sculptor-Engravers, to create and submit new designs for selected coin and medal programs throughout the year. Interested artists are invited to submit applications for consideration.

The designs of AIP artists adorn many United States coins and medals, such as America the Beautiful Quarters® Coins, Native American $1 Coins, Commemorative Coins, Platinum Proof Coins, Congressional Gold Medals, American Liberty Gold Coins, and various silver and bronze medals.

Artists who join the AIP work under a task order contract from their own studios across America, providing candidate designs in the form of finished drawings. Artists are paid $2,000 to $3,000 per assignment and are awarded a $5,000 bonus if the Secretary of the Treasury selects their design for a coin or medal. In addition to the bonus, the artist’s information is included in historical documents, Certificates of Authenticity, and promotional materials. In most cases, the artist’s initials appear on the final coins or medals along with the initials of the Sculptor-Engraver who sculpted the selected design.

The United States Mint will be accepting applications for the program beginning September 3, 2018. Applicants must fill out an application form and submit five to 10 images of work from their portfolio. Artists may also be asked to provide a resume. Once reviewed, the Mint will invite selected artists to participate in a further evaluation round, which will require the development and submission of a demonstration design for which each selected artist will be paid a fee of $1,500.

The Mint is especially interested in artists who will bring innovative perspectives and utilize symbolism in their work to clearly and evocatively convey subjects and themes. From portraits and landscapes to depictions of notable achievements in American history, coin and medal designs require rendering a range of subjects and themes on a small space.

Here's an Artnet News article forwarded by Alan Luedeking. Thanks. -Editor

The United States Mint has issued an open call for artists to design the nation’s coins and medals as part of its its Artistic Infusion Program. The government is particularly interested in artists who will “bring innovative perspectives and utilize symbolism in their work to clearly and evocatively convey subjects and themes,” according to the program’s press release.

Who will judge the submissions? None other than Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, a former hedge-fund mogul and son of Manhattan art dealer Robert Mnuchin. Steven was also previously a board member at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, but stepped down after seven years to accept President Trump’s nomination to the treasury post.

For additional information, see: CALL FOR ARTISTS (https://www.usmint.gov/learn/artists/call-for-artists)