Artist Infusion

Deadline Nears for Artists to Apply to Design Nation’s Coins

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January 3, 2005 - Chance for College Students and Professionals to Join United States Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint urges the Nation’s artists not to miss the February 11, 2005 deadline to submit applications for the Artistic Infusion Program in which they will design U.S. coins and medals. The United States Mint has notified colleges, art publications and art associations of its second Call for Artists.

This new Call for Artists seeks up to two professional artists and up to 14 college and graduate-level visual arts students to join the program. They will join a pool of “Master Designers” and “Associate Designers” developed in 2004 to be part of the rich history of artistry in United States coinage. Current Master and Associate Designers have been invited to renew their agreements with the United States Mint and remain in the program. The National Endowment for the Arts is once again assisting the United States Mint with assembling a panel to evaluate the artists’ applications, which must be postmarked no later than February 11, 2005.

The program established a pool of up to 20 professional artists, Master Designers. For purposes of the Artistic Infusion Program, professional or established artists are those who have received specialized training in their art form, have derived their principal income from their art for at least five years and have publicly presented their art in a professional context. The program will also include up to 20 college and graduate-level students, Associate Designers, who are currently enrolled in visual arts programs.

Artists who specialize in graphic design, sculpture, engraving, drawing, painting, printmaking and other visual arts are encouraged to apply. Master and Associate Designers selected for the program will enter into one-year renewable agreements with the United States Mint. They will be invited to join United States Mint sculptor/engravers in creating and submitting new designs annually for coin or medal programs. Each Master Designer submitting designs will receive an honorarium of $1,000 per project. Associate Designers will receive $500. United States Mint sculptor/engravers will model the designs submitted by the Artistic Infusion Program artists.

Selected artists will attend a United States Mint-sponsored orientation program at the United States Mint at Philadelphia, PA, to learn about the history of coin and medal design, the coin-making process, and upcoming design opportunities.

Artists who are U.S. citizens should submit a completed application that will include samples of their work. A design exercise for applicants will also be required. Interested artists are required to use the “Call for Artists Application Packet,” which includes program details, eligibility requirements, artistic criteria and detailed application guidelines. The packet is available on the United States Mint’s website at www.usmint.gov or by contacting the United States Mint at (202) 354-7727 or art@usmint.treas.gov. Submissions will be evaluated on artistic excellence and merit.

Contact: Press inquiries: Michael White (202) 354-7222

Customer Service information: (800) USA MINT (872-6468)