Washington — The United States Mint is inviting artists from throughout the United States to participate in its Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) to enrich and invigorate the design of coins and medals. A new call for artists will be issued, as the United States Mint announces modifications to the three–year–old program.
The new invitations seek up to 10 Associate Designers — professional visual artists — and up to six Student Designers — undergraduate and graduate level artists — to supplement the pool of “Master Designers” currently under contract in the program.
Although the United States Mint has utilized outside artists before, the AIP was specifically designed to develop and train a pool of talented outside artists ready to work with the United States Mint’s staff of sculptor–engravers to create new coin and medal designs.
“We are pleased with the success of the Artistic Infusion Program,” said Acting United States Mint Director David A. Lebryk. “Great designs can inspire and educate.”
AIP artists have submitted successful designs for high–profile programs such as the Westward Journey Nickel Series™, the 50 State Quarters Program, the American Eagle Platinum Coin Program, the Presidential $1 Coin Program, the First Spouse Gold Coin Program, and other commemorative coin and medal programs.
Applications responding to the call for Associate Designers will be accepted from August 7 to September 15, and applications responding to the call for Student Designers will be accepted from September 15 to October 16, 2006.
The United States Mint also is announcing refinements to the AIP. Artists will now be invited to participate in the program at three levels: United States Mint Master Designers, United States Mint Associate Designers and United States Mint Student Designers.
Under the revised program, the United States Mint will continue contracts for up to 10 Master Designers. Through this application process, the United States Mint will select up to 10 Associate Designers, and up to six Student Designers. Students will participate in a summer internship with the United States Mint Sculptor–Engravers at the United States Mint at Philadelphia.
“I am confident that the changes we have made will help our young artists to succeed and bring even more creative energy and ideas to the program,” said Acting Director Lebryk. “This will help ensure a bright future for the tradition of American coin design.”
For purposes of the AIP, Master Designers are those who have proven themselves as valuable AIP artists for at least two years; Associate Designers are professional artists who are new to the program (with successful Associate Designers eligible for direct promotion to the Master Designer level); and Student Designers are those enrolled in undergraduate or graduate level visual arts programs (with successful Student Designers eligible for direct promotion to the Associate Designer level).
Under the program’s new provisions, each Master Designer submitting designs will receive an honorarium of $1,500; Associate Designers will receive $1,000; and Student Designers $500. Each will receive an additional $2,000 per design selected. They will be invited to create and submit at least one design candidate annually for a coin or medal program.
United States Mint sculptor–engravers will continue to model the designs submitted by the Artistic Infusion Program artists. The sculptor–engravers also submit designs under the program.
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.
Click www.usmint.com/artists to access the application online, or contact the United States Mint at (202) 354–7727, or at art@usmint.treas.gov. Submissions will be evaluated on several factors, including drawing ability, compositional skills, and level to which the design demonstrates research of subject matter.
Created by Congress in 1792, the United States Mint is the manufacturer of legal tender coinage for the United States. The United States Mint also produces commemorative coins and Congressional medals honoring individuals and events of special meaning to the American people and bullion coins from a variety of precious metals.