Find Artists & Plan Your Commission
Explore artists and completed projects on CODAworx before starting your commission or publishing an Open Call.
Start With Your Project
Before contacting artists or publishing an opportunity, establish the basic parameters of your commission.
Consider:
- Where the artwork will be installed
- Who will experience it
- Goals for the artwork
- Project budget
- Installation schedule
- Safety requirements
- Maintenance expectations
- Desired materials or media, if applicable
- Artist eligibility requirements
You don't need every creative decision made before meeting an artist, but a clear project framework helps you identify candidates who are genuinely suited to the commission.
Search the Creative Directory
Use the Creative Directory to discover artists and other creative professionals.
Directory filters can help narrow your search using information professionals have added to their profiles.
Location filtering can include:
- Country
- State
- City
- Geographic radius
This is particularly useful for opportunities requiring a local or regional artist.
Review relevant profiles and explore the projects artists have shared on CODAworx to better understand their experience.
Explore the Project Library
The Project Library allows you to begin with the work itself.
Use filters to explore projects based on relevant characteristics such as:
- Type of artwork
- Medium
- Location
- Budget
- Setting
- Purpose
- Theme
You can also combine location with other filters to explore work similar to what you envision for your own site.
Decide How to Find Your Artist
There are several ways to approach artist discovery.
Direct Research
Use the Creative Directory and Project Library when you want to identify and research individual artists or creative teams.
Public Open Call
Post a public opportunity when you want artists to discover your commission and submit qualifications or application materials.
Private Open Call
Use a private call when you already have a curated group of potential applicants and want only artists with the direct link to access the opportunity.
Prepare for an Open Call
Before posting, gather the information artists will need to decide whether your opportunity is right for them.
At minimum, be prepared to explain:
- Who is commissioning the work
- Project location
- Project goals and context
- Budget
- Eligibility
- Timeline
- Application deadline
- Required application materials
- Selection process
- Supporting documents or site information
Next Step
When you're ready to collect applicants, see Create & Publish an Open Call.