Art Boards: For Artists
Welcome to the Swanton Art Boards!
The art boards located in Village-owned public spaces are independently administered by the Swanton Public Art Network (SPAN), a collective of local artists and art aficionados dedicated to promoting public art exhibits that showcase the talents of local artists, aesthetically enhance the community, and celebrate Swanton’s diversity and identity artistic sharing for the benefit of our community. The Network is fortified by its support and connections to artists and funding opportunities.
Start Here
If you're an artist or someone interested in using Swanton's public art boards, explore this area of the site to learn more.
To participate and get started, artists and users MUST:
Step 1: Understand who may use the art boards?
SPAN invites:
Individuals and groups to participate and share their painted work on public art boards.
Community members may also participate to reset (paint over) artistic images.
All contributing artists and board users have responsibilities BEFORE and AFTER painting the art boards, whether to add an artistic image or to reset (paint over) an art board.
Step 2: Understand the art board guidelines and potential penalties. All guidelines MUST be observed by all artists and board users; select guidelines are highlighted below!
Highlights of participating guidelines are detailed below. Select link to Appendix C for simplified guidelines specific to artists and board users, or if desired, select link to Exhibit A for the complete art board guidelines. Also select link to Appendix B for an outline of potential violations and penalties. All contributing artists and art board users must observe the guidelines when painting the art boards, whether to add an artistic image or to reset (paint over) an art board.
Appendix C - Guidelines For Artists.pdfExhibit A - Art Board Guidelines.pdfAppendix B - Potential Violations and Penalties.pdfUse art boards on public property only. Users of private property boards must defer to property owners.
The SPAN encourages art boards located on private property that are installed in accordance with local standards and permitting requirements; however, they are solely administered by private property owners and do not fall under the purview of the Network or these guidelines. Interest and concerns about these art boards should be addressed to private property owners.
Observe specific limitations for content and use.
Artists must observe certain conditions and limitations:
a. Use of the art boards is voluntary and not compensated.
b. Users are responsible for necessary supplies. The Swanton Arts Council accepts requests for donating materials and/or financial support for expenses to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
c. Users are limited to a single use of one side of any art board in a 6-week period to provide opportunity to all participating artists and a variety of content.
d. Work may NOT include moving parts, illumination, electricity, or present other hazards that impairs the public’s ability to safely enjoy the art.
e. Images may NOT include any words/letters, advertisement or otherwise be in violation of State billboard regulations.
f. Images should be “family-friendly” or suitable for audiences of all ages; that serves to beautify the public space; and helps reflect the cultural vibrancy and diversity of the area.
Date their work and respect the two-week exhibition allowance period for art board content.
Artistic work in compliance with the guidelines enjoy a minimum two-week exhibition allowance period. Users must clearly date their work in the bottom corner to indicate the start of the minimum two-week exhibition period. Any work not dated may be prematurely reset. Artists are invited but not required to also sign their work.
a. The board must be dated in the bottom corner as of the first date the artist started using the board, regardless if the content is completed in one day or over multiple days, or if the content is completed onsite or the board is removed for the artist to complete their work remotely.
b. Once the two-week exhibition period is complete, the art board becomes open to reset or otherwise paint over on a first come, first serve basis.
c. If there is a dated painting on the board, a user must not reset (paint over) or alter it in any way until a minimum of 14 calendar days have passed from the date.
NOT remove art boards to complete or keep work without explicit permission.
Artists may NOT remove the boards without explicit request and permission, whether to complete their work or keep their completed work after exhibited. SPAN’s detailed guidelines outline the process and conditions that must be observed if permission is granted.
Step 3: Complete and Submit a signed “Art Board User Agreement” to SIGN UP. The agreement must be confirmed as received in advance of permitted use of the art boards!
2 ways to complete:
1) Click "Online User Agreement" button above for fast submission and immediate confirmation of permitted use.
2) Click on "Appendix A - Art Board User Agreement.pdf" link to print the paper form. Complete and send to SPAN via email (info@span4art.org) or mail to SPAN (196 Maquam Shore Rd, Swanton). Confirmation of permitted use will be sent upon receipt and review.
Any person who wishes to use the art boards must first submit a completed “Art Board User Agreement” Upon receipt, SPAN will provide written notification to the contact information provided to confirm receipt and convey permission to begin using the art boards. Use of the art boards is not permitted until the submitted agreement and notification of receipt are complete and received. Permissions are granted to the signed artist/user and will be effective for any public boards available and for as frequent use as is permitted by the guidelines until the end of the calendar year. If the art board user neglects these guidelines, then SPAN may rescind its permission in accordance with its grievance protocols.
a. All art board users must complete an agreement whether to gift the community with their artistic expression OR as an interested community member resetting (painting over) an artist’s work.
b. A group of artists requires a completed agreement for each participant.
c. Youth artists require a completed agreement that is also signed by a parent/guardian.
d. The agreement will expire on December 31st of the same calendar year as signed. A new agreement must be submitted to renew art board user permissions each new calendar year.
e. The agreement is essential to:
Acknowledge understanding of art board guidelines and promise to comply with the required terms and conditions of use.
Agree to use the art boards in a safe manner with respect for the art boards and the public properly, to accept the potential risks and to waive liability for any improper or unsafe use of the public art boards.
Agree to participate in constructive resolution of any grievance that may occur.
Convey understanding that artistic images on public art boards may be used for the purposes of promoting public art and local artists. With or without permission, the artist retains all rights to their artistic images.
Provide contact information.
Document parental/guardian permission and agreement as appropriate.
Appendix A - Art Board User Agreement.pdfStep 4: Register on the SPAN website within 24 hours of completion, whether to add an artistic image or to reset (paint over) an art board.
Painting a board, whether to add an artistic image or to reset it, must be registered on the SPAN website within 24 hours of completion. Use of the art boards without proper registration may warrant the art board to be reset or painted over, and/or be considered a reportable violation. The registration must include:
a. The user’s name and contact information. User may request to keep their name anonymous.
b. A brief statement of what the art represents, such as the artist’s inspiration, meaning, etc. SPAN requires this information for archival purposes and any grievance (formal complaint) about the art.
c. A photo of the finished board. (if this does not process on the registration form, send separately via email to info@span4art.org)
Step 5: (If Needed) - Participate in grievance procedures that may be initiated for any guideline violations and community complaints about the art board subject matter or program.
Artists, users and community members may submit a formal grievance on the SPAN’s webpage to register guideline violations, formal complaints, and community issues about content or use of the art boards. A list of potential violations and associated penalties are outlined in the guidelines and on this page. Complainants and contributing users shall participate in constructive resolution of any grievance that may be received.