Panthers on Parade
Call for Artists
Panthers on Parade 2024
Contact Email: jennifer.pickar@cedarfalls.com
Entry Deadline: 09/22/23 5:00 pm Central Time
Draft Agreement
Eligibility: Artists with an Iowa, Cedar Falls, or University of Northern Iowa connection
Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
Concept Submission Deadline: September 22, 2023
Project on Display: May – October 2024
Description: As part of the Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau’s upcoming Panthers on Parade community pride project, a quantity of approximately 25 6-foot-tall fiberglass TC mascot figures will be placed in outdoor sites in Cedar Falls/CedarValley for public viewing. We invite artists with an Iowa, Cedar Falls/Cedar Valley, or University of Northern Iowa connection to submit artistic concepts to decorate and cover the mascots. Artists may propose the use of decorative elements such as paint, vinyl, decoupage, or other media – however, the chosen materials proposed will need to last in the outdoor elements for the entire display period.
Installation Details and Dates: Panthers on Parade, scheduled to be on public view from May 1, 2024 through October 27, 2024, is expected to display 25 pre-fab 6’ tall fiberglass mascot figures augmented by qualified artists. Mascot figures will primarily be displayed for public viewing on private property in Cedar Falls and the Cedar Valley.
Selection Criteria: A selection committee will preview sketches and concepts. Mascot sponsors will then select an artist/design. City of Cedar Falls staff and University of Northern Iowa staff will approve all final design. Photos of the completed mascots will be used for marketing and promotions. Mascots will be displayed outside for the duration of the event, then ownership of the mascots will remain with the program sponsors, to do with whatever they wish. Artists will be notified by mid-November is their design concept has been selected.
The artwork must be family and community friendly in design, nature, and content. Designs that include commercially designed logos or copyright protected imagery will not be accepted. Accepted artists must complete an agreement provided upon selection.
Anticipated artwork completion logistics and timeline: Mascot pick up and return is in Cedar Falls. Artists must pick up mascots on February 1, 2024 and return completed mascots on April 15, 2024.
The submitted call for proposal will need to include:
- Artist(s) name, mailing address, email address, website or link to professional portfolio
- Conceptual drawings depicting the size, scale, and details of the design of front, side and back of mascot (no use of any logos). Hand drawings or digitally created concepts accepted.
- List of anticipated materials (note all mascots will receive an auto grade clear coating and must withstand outside elements from May – October)
- Multiple concepts are welcome.
Stipend per selected design: $2,000. The stipend covers the cost of the artists time and materials, transportation/shipping costs to and from Cedar Falls. At mascot pick-up contracted artists will receive $500 and upon deliver and approval the final $1,500.
Please work from this sketch.
