Here and Now: King County Public Art Collection
4Culture opens $220,000 call to purchase artworks from King County artists for public spaces including courtrooms and health clinics.
4Culture invites artists living or working in King County to submit existing artworks for possible purchase as part of the "Here and Now" initiative, aimed at expanding the King County Public Art Collection. This open call seeks unframed, two-dimensional and low relief artworks by studio artists for acquisition and placement in publicly accessible county spaces, including courtrooms, health clinics, offices and community centers.
The total acquisition budget is $220,000, including Washington sales and use tax, panel honoraria, framing and contingency costs. Individual artwork purchase prices will not exceed $4,500 per piece, with a maximum of $9,000 per artist (excluding sales tax). 4Culture will coordinate and pay for framing, while artists are responsible for packing, delivery or insured shipping costs.
The King County Public Art Collection, stewarded by 4Culture since 1975, includes approximately 2,000 portable works installed in nearly 200 county facilities. This collection documents decades of artistic practice in the Pacific Northwest and reflects the region's evolving cultural identity.
The call welcomes submissions of paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, fiber-based works and mixed media pieces with strong visual presence and conceptual clarity. Artworks may not exceed 42 by 28 inches unframed, with a maximum depth of 1.75 inches. Artists may submit up to five works for consideration, including multiples, editions, diptychs and triptychs.
The curatorial focus emphasizes authenticity, visual vitality, accessibility and care for people and place, with intent to create a contemporary portrait of King County. The project responds to requests from county departments including Public Defense, Natural Resources and Parks, Facilities Management, Public Health and Metro Transit, which are reimagining their spaces and seeking artworks that center the people they serve.