The City of West Hollywood, through its Arts Division, is requesting qualifications from professional artists to establish a pre-qualified list for a temporary art exhibition in vacant storefronts, Windows of WeHo (WoW). The exhibition will include artists with experience creating inventive installations or full-scale window installations that engage the public using innovative and dynamic means.
The arts and the business community of West Hollywood have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many traditional brick-and-mortar stores have already been facing challenges for years, competing against the rise of online shopping. Now, as shoppers nationwide move further online as a safeguard against the spread of COVID-19, some of West Hollywood’s local retail shops have closed for good as property owners face unprecedented vacancies. The WoW exhibition helps partner artists with property owners to reimagine empty storefronts as opportunities to create safe, outdoor community engagement while the City sets its sights on economic recovery for the business community.
With the Windows of WeHo initiative, West Hollywood will maintain a pre-qualified list of artists for the exhibition and property owners will be invited to engage with the artists on the list. Between eight and ten artists are anticipated to be selected through this application, and each selected artist will receive an award of $1,000. However, admittance onto the pre-qualified list does not guarantee selection for an award.
Officials hope that placing art in vacant storefronts will bring increased attention to vacant commercial properties, deter graffiti and vandalism and contribute to the preservation of the business community.
Artists who live in the City of West Hollywood are especially encouraged to apply. However, all interested artists can apply online by Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. To apply, visit www.weho.org/home/showpublisheddocument?id=48693.
For more information about the City of West Hollywood’s Windows of WeHo opportunity, please contact Rebecca Ehemann, the City of West Hollywood’s Acting Arts Manager, at 323-848-6846 or at rehemann@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY 323-848-6496.
