HomeMy WebLinkAboutIowa City Public Art Matching Fund ProgramIowa City Public Art Matching Fund Program
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in this grant opportunity. Prior to completing this application form, please review the Public Art Matching Grant
Frequently Asked Questions at www.icgov.org/publicart.
If your project takes place on City-owned or privately-owned property, you must provide evidence in the following application that you have
support and approval from the appropriate parties to proceed with this project. Failure to obtain prior approval could disqualify or delay an
otherwise good proposal. If you aren’t sure if you need prior approval from a project partner, please contact Neighborhood Outreach &
Engagement Specialist T'Shailyn Harrington at THarrington@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5093.
Beyond initial siting approvals obtained prior to submitting this application, please be advised that some projects may be required to obtain
additional permits or approvals as determined necessary by the City. Any such requirements would be outlined in the grant agreement.
Regardless of whether the project is located on public or private property, the project must be freely accessible by the public.
Awarded applicant(s) are responsible for performing or coordinating the execution of all phases of the project, including but not limited to site
prep, installation, etc. If any component of the proposed project is beyond your capabilities, please explain in the application.
*
I acknowledge that I have read and understand the information above.
General Information
The Public Art Matching Grant Program aims to increase public art access and opportunities in Iowa City. The program funds visual, audio, or
performance-based art projects that are located in Iowa City and accessible to the general public.
Successful grant applications will show evidence of a specific planned project which can be completed before December 31, 2025. Please
complete the following application in its entirety. If you have questions or need assistance completing this application form, please contact
Neighborhood Outreach & Engagement Specialist T'Shailyn Harrington at THarrington@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5093.
It is recommended applicants save the form every 5-10 minutes to avoid losing progress. To do this, click “Save as Draft” at the bottom
of the File Uploads page.
Project Name *
"Women: Hood" Third Phase
Applicant Name *
Satomi Kawai
Applicant Email *
satominakawaiina@gmail.com
Applicant Phone *
6417818925
Applicant Address *
Street Address
1436 Buresh Avenue
Address Line 2
City
Iowa City
State/Province/Region
IA
Postal/Zip Code Country
52245 United States
Are you the project artist *
Yes No
Please upload your artist resume/CV *
Satomi Kawai Resume_ updated Feb 2025.pdf 175.45KB
URL to your website, digital portfolio, or social media.
https://satomikawai.com/
Have you received Public Art Matching Grant Funds in the past?*
Yes No
Project Details
To save progress, click “Save as Draft” at the bottom of the File Uploads page.
Provide a brief description of the proposed project *
The “Women: Hood” is a community-based and collaborative art project, starting in 2018. The collaborative team comprises five artists (Vero
Smith, Dani Sigler, Douglas Baker, Janis Bultman, and Satomi Kawai) who have worked together for over 8 years. The art project focuses on
interviewing various women of different cultures, ages, social statuses, and backgrounds in Iowa City and beyond. It is a biannual project: the first
edition was released in 2021, the second in 2023, and this year, 2025, the third edition will be released.
For the third edition, Kawai has interviewed eight women about their life stories and is editing them into one short video clip for “Women: Hood
III.” The team artists will then create new artworks inspired by these life stories. The third edition will culminate in a public reception with its video
screening, pop-up art exhibition including two- and three-dimensional arts, a performance video, and a creative form of writing at the University
of Iowa Women’s Resources and Action Center (WRAC) on October 11th. All these art materials will be accessible online via project website and
the University of Iowa Women’s Archive (IWA) at the University in the Main Library.
This project will highlight and celebrate the various voices of women, creating artworks inspired by their stories. We ultimately seek to create a
broader understanding of these experiences and encourage community engagement through art.
Explain how the project is defined as “public art.” Please include how the artwork will be located in an area open and freely
accessible by the public; and describe how you envision the artwork engaging the public.*
The “Women: Hood” is a community-based public art project. We interview women and listen to their life stories in Iowa City and beyond. The
project regards a woman of any social background who identifies as a woman and invites participation. Thus, community involvement is essential
for the project process. We are advantaged to be in Iowa City, which is an international college community. We have been connecting with various
women, and they have been willing to share their experiences since the project started in 2018.
The third Phase of the "Women: Hood" will culminate in a public reception and art exhibition at the UI Women's Resources and Action Center (UI-
WRAC) in October 2025, at the same place as we launched the second edition in October 2023. The WRAC's mission links to our project's purpose:
“to foster positive development for people.” WRAC has kindly provided us with an easily accessible space in the community. The project will
display the team’s new 2D and 3D visual artworks inspired by the third phase interview clip, video screening of the video clip, and new
performance video in the main room at WRAC. Like the previous editions' reception, there will be a discussion session and take the project
survey, which will give an essential experience for the audience to listen to other women's stories for self-reflection. So, they can discuss their
emotional responses in a non-judgmental setting. In addition, the third Phase adds more participatory opportunities at the opening reception,
setting up a small chatting room where a couple of volunteer participants and their accompanist, such as a friend or a family member who comes
to the reception, have a short conversational interview about a brief life story. With Iowa City’s support, the project can build its website to post
these short life story chats online. In addition, the public can access all these contents at the UI Iowa Women's Archive. In this way, the audience
can always listen to the life stories from anywhere anytime.
By incorporating community members and alternative formats in our art, we offer a unique experience that fosters learning and participation.
We aim at uniting people through public art, highlight marginalized voices, and spark dialogues to build a more compassionate and inclusive
environment through respect for our individual stories.
Describe the intended audience for this project, why public art is important to that audience, and any efforts you will make to
benefit the broader community, especially populations which have faced systemic barriers to art access or opportunities *
The “Women: Hood” art project can embody universal concepts and provoke thought in the community and beyond through listening to women’s
life stories and artworks inspired by the stories. The project is a form of community-based public art that invites a wide range of audiences in this
community and beyond; not only women but also anyone who is interested in others' life experiences, and even those who are not familiar to
visual art, to understand what it means to be inclusive and to generate ideas to create a more inclusive environment.
The project believes visual art is a good way to think of universal concepts. Visual art ignites a change, especially when it highlights issues
affecting communities, including our topic, "how to be a woman. "The "Women: Hood" project values each participant's voice, and the project
wants to collect their unique voices and values. This must be a way to inspire and lift each other in the community. Thus, the project's vision with
a universal concept of being a woman is to manifest compassion by bringing people together to acknowledge they are not or forgotten or alone.
Our goal is to encourage dialogues and amplify the voices of marginalized and minority people.
Through our interactive video screening and discussion at the UI WRAC, we anticipate uncovering valuable insights into how community-based
art can enhance inclusivity and amplify diverse voices. This engagement is expected to provide insights, perspectives, and emotional responses
from participants, offering critical feedback that will guide future decisions on content and presentation.
The sharing of women’s experiences at a time when their rights are insecure will elevate their and our stories beyond ourselves and individual
studio practices as artists by involving community members and activities with alternative formats into an art experience. This methodology
allows us to expand our horizons to create community-based art that invites an audience to understand what it means to be inclusive and
generate ideas to make a better place.
How will you know your project was successful? Please list specific outcomes or measures (qualitative or quantitative).*
The project's success can be measured by the number of attendees at the opening reception, the number of signups for the next phase interview,
the number of website visits, the reputation and feedback from attendees, the feedback of website visitors, and reviews in newspaper/ magazine
articles and radio topics.
Number of participants at the project release reception and new partnership:
The project released its first edition in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and created a Zoom community that resulted in more than twenty
participants. The second edition (2023) culminated in a pop-up exhibition and collaborative performance video at the feminist organization,
Women’s Resource & Action Center at the University of Iowa. Over fifty guests attended the reception. Since 2023, the project started a
partnership with Iowa Women’s Archives, and they archive all the project materials, complete interviews, and review the interview clips from the
first and second phases.
The project introduction by Press:
The project of the first phase was introduced in Iowa City Press-Citizen as the article "Iowa City artist's 'Woman: hood' virtual exhibit has creatives
interpret interviews as art pieces" (https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/2021/05/29/woman-hood-virtual-exhibit-has-creatives-interpret-
interviews-art-pieces/5184092001/),
University of Iowa school of Art/ Art History Newsletter (https://apps.its.uiowa.edu/dispatch/messages/view/56826f50-b361-4658-a7b0-
b7db2d67f671),
Kawai and Smith were invited as guest speakers at a radio talk show at WVIK "Talking Art with Satomi Kawai and Vero Smith
(https://www.wvik.org/podcast/talking-art/2021-06-03/talking-art-with-satomi-kawai-and-vero-rose-smith)
Also, an article on the University of Iowa school of Art/ Art History Newsletter introduced the second phase release
(https://apps.its.uiowa.edu/dispatch/messages/view/4144675f-c2f5-4cf8-9149-5324a6ed23ce) and a website article, "Kawai's journey from jewelry
to performance art is part of ‘Woman: hood’ responsive art exhibit" on MainStream. (https://therealmainstream.com/kawais-journey-from-
jewelry-to-performance-art-is-part-of-woman-hood-responsive-art-exhibit/)
With "Women: Hood III", we will continue to carry out the above efforts, contact additional news organizations (Cedar Rapids Gazette, Des
Moines Register) for the new release, and to attract audiences in Iowa City, Johnson County, across the USA, and around the Globe.
Reputation, feedback, and other responses by event participants, and the management of website visitors and art quality:
Participation in the project interviews and a discussion session at the new release opening reception are essential, because our methodology
involves continuously accommodating opinions and insights from other women of diverse backgrounds. We strive for the project to provide
participants with increased active roles to broaden their interaction with people at large, feedback on the project at the reception, sign up for the
following phase interviews, and an opportunity to tell a brief life story.
To meet the project objectives, we will work promptly on each step, from the interviews to the video/ artwork production based on the interview
video. The team members and invited artists' work should meet quality standards.
With the support of Iowa City Public Art Patching Fund Program, the project can build its website separately from Kawai's personal website. The
third phase is the online show, and an additional post on short life stories will occur on the new website. In this way, the project can attract and
increase the number of the project visitors.
The measure of overall success:
The third phase of "Women: Hood" in 2025 will cultivate a larger audience by keeping and expanding partnerships with WRAC and IWA at the
University of Iowa. In addition to these organizations, the project has been actively seeking new collaborations with local creative people and
organizations that work for improvements of women's life, including creative writers (e.g. Olivia Sio), creative art groups (e.g. Iowa City Joy March),
and local art organizations (e.g. Public Space One). The third phase will be the next step-up opportunity to expand the audience not only in the
Iowa City community, but also outside of Iowa City, including national and international communities. With funding from Iowa City, the "Women:
Hood" anticipates building its website where people can access the project anytime around the globe. The "Women: Hood" project needs
financial support for art production (materials and labor included) to support team-artists in ensuring our artwork remains relevant, impactful,
and high-quality. The project continues to meet the community's demands to improve women’s lives, which leads to improve human activity.
Will this project take place on public or private property?*
Public/City-Owned
Private Property Owned by the Applicant or project partner listed below
Private Property not owned by the applicant
Please list which City staff/departments you have discussed your proposal with and whether they are supportive of the project.
Failure to contact appropriate City staff prior to submitting this form may result in disqualification of your application. If you aren’t sure who to
contact, please contact Neighborhood Outreach & Engagement Specialist T'Shailyn Harrington at THarrington@iowa-city.org or 319-356-
5093.
Women's Resource & Action Center at the University of Iowa, Iowa Women's Archives at the University of Iowa
Location of Project *
Women's Resource and Action Center at the University of Iowa, Iowa Women's Archives at the University of Iowa
Project Partner(s) (if any)
1. “Women: Hood” core team members include Vero Rose Smith, visual artist, arts and culture advocate Dani Sigler, feminist artist and activist
Janis Bultman, a writer, editor, and former journalist Douglas Baker, local musician, composer, and movement practitioner 2. Two organizations
at the University of Iowa Women’s Resources and Action Center (WRAC) Iowa Women’s Archives (IWA) at the University 3. Local individuals
Professor Asha Bhandary, the University of Iowa Philosophy Department Maria Bribriesco, a community pollinator and poet 4. Possible partners
of the third Phase Non-profit art organization, Public Space One Artists’ group Iowa City JOY March Creative writer, Olivia Sio
Describe the role of any project partners listed
Many partnerships strengthen this project as follows.
1. The project team members creates artworks inspired by women’s life story interviews and take responsibility to proceed each edition with
different roles.
- Smith brings organization to the project and builds public relations.
- Sigler gives unique insights that complement the political perspective - Bultman assists in editing logics and contributes her writings as a
creative writer at the project show.
-Bultman assists in interview video editing logistics.
- Baker, working as Kawai’s performance partner, collaborates through “DS MOVES.” He overseas music/sounds effects and joined the team as a
generous fluid contributor of dance and music. He also assists in bridging and navigating cultures.
2. The support of two organization at the University of Iowa is essential.
-Women’s Resource and Action Center (WRAC) has been served as a focal point for presenting and discussing our project and inviting community
feedback. They are located on the university campus where easily access to this safe and free accessible.
- Iowa Women Archives actively archiving and preserving all materials of the “Women: Hood” 1st and 2nd edition, and continuously of the third
phase.
3. Individual partners
Dr. Bhandary offers scholarly insights that enrich the philosophical underpinnings of our work. She gave a presentation, “Femininity vs
Womanhood” for the first Phase reception. Maria Bribriesco, a community pollinator and poet. has contributed original materials that have
formed a significant part of our creative output.
4.Possible partners of the third phase
A creative writer, Olivia Sio will join the third phase to create a poem inspired by the interview clip of the third phase. Also, we are actively
seeking additional partnerships; we would like to participate in an Iowa City Joy March, and “Women: Hood” project will soon start talking about a
possible partnership with Public Space One.
Many partnerships strengthen this project as follows.
1. The project team members creates artworks inspired by women’s life story interviews and take responsibility to proceed each edition with
different roles.
- Smith brings organization to the project and builds public relations.
- Sigler gives unique insights that complement the political perspective - Bultman assists in editing logics and contributes her writings as a
creative writer at the project show.
-Bultman assists in interview video editing logistics.
- Baker, working as Kawai’s performance partner, collaborates through “DS MOVES.” He overseas music/sounds effects and joined the team as a
generous fluid contributor of dance and music. He also assists in bridging and navigating cultures.
2. The support of two organization at the University of Iowa is essential.
-Women’s Resource and Action Center (WRAC) has been served as a focal point for presenting and discussing our project and inviting community
feedback. They are located on the university campus where easily access to this safe and free accessible.
- Iowa Women Archives actively archiving and preserving all materials of the “Women: Hood” 1st and 2nd edition, and continuously of the third
phase.
3. Individual partners
Dr. Bhandary offers scholarly insights that enrich the philosophical underpinnings of our work. She gave a presentation, “Femininity vs
Womanhood” for the first Phase reception. Maria Bribriesco, a community pollinator and poet. has contributed original materials that have
formed a significant part of our creative output.
4.Possible partners of the third phase
A creative writer, Olivia Sio will join the third phase to create a poem inspired by the interview clip of the third phase. Also, we are actively
seeking additional partnerships; we would like to participate in an Iowa City Joy March, and “Women: Hood” project will soon start talking about a
possible partnership with Public Space One.
Many partnerships strengthen this project as follows. 1. The project team members creates artworks inspired by women’s life story interviews
and take responsibility to proceed each edition with different roles.
- Smith brings organization to the project and builds public relations.
- Sigler gives unique insights that complement the political perspective - Bultman assists in editing logics and contributes her writings as a
creative writer at the project show.
-Bultman assists in interview video editing logistics.
- Baker, working as Kawai’s performance partner, collaborates through “DS MOVES.” He overseas music/sounds effects and joined the team as a
generous fluid contributor of dance and music. He also assists in bridging and navigating cultures.
2. The support of two organization at the University of Iowa is essential.
-Women’s Resource and Action Center (WRAC) has been served as a focal point for presenting and discussing our project and inviting community
feedback. They are located on the university campus where easily access to this safe and free accessible.
- Iowa Women Archives actively archiving and preserving all materials of the “Women: Hood” 1st and 2nd edition, and continuously of the third
phase.
3. Individual partners
Dr. Bhandary offers scholarly insights that enrich the philosophical underpinnings of our work. She gave a presentation, “Femininity vs
Womanhood” for the first Phase reception. Maria Bribriesco, a community pollinator and poet. has contributed original materials that have
formed a significant part of our creative output.
4.Possible partners of the third phase
A creative writer, Olivia Sio will join the third phase to create a poem inspired by the interview clip of the third phase. Also, we are actively
seeking additional partnerships; we would like to participate in an Iowa City Joy March, and “Women: Hood” project will soon start talking about a
possible partnership with Public Space One.
1. The project team members creates artworks inspired by women’s life story interviews and take responsibility to proceed each edition with
different roles.
- Smith brings organization to the project and builds public relations.
- Sigler gives unique insights that complement the political perspective - Bultman assists in editing logics and contributes her writings as a
creative writer at the project show.
-Bultman assists in interview video editing logistics.
- Baker, working as Kawai’s performance partner, collaborates through “DS MOVES.” He overseas music/sounds effects and joined the team as a
generous fluid contributor of dance and music. He also assists in bridging and navigating cultures.
2. The support of two organization at the University of Iowa is essential.
-Women’s Resource and Action Center (WRAC) has been served as a focal point for presenting and discussing our project and inviting community
feedback. They are located on the university campus where easily access to this safe and free accessible.
- Iowa Women Archives actively archiving and preserving all materials of the “Women: Hood” 1st and 2nd edition, and continuously of the third
phase.
3. Individual partners
Dr. Bhandary offers scholarly insights that enrich the philosophical underpinnings of our work. She gave a presentation, “Femininity vs
Womanhood” for the first Phase reception. Maria Bribriesco, a community pollinator and poet. has contributed original materials that have
formed a significant part of our creative output.
4.Possible partners of the third phase
A creative writer, Olivia Sio will join the third phase to create a poem inspired by the interview clip of the third phase. Also, we are actively
seeking additional partnerships; we would like to participate in an Iowa City Joy March, and “Women: Hood” project will soon start talking about a
possible partnership with Public Space One.
Please check any of the following project aspects that apply to your project.
Note: These selections do not impact scoring, but are informative for the selection committee.
Functional Art: Art that also serves a practical, everyday purpose (i.e. bench, lighting, shelter, timepiece, etc.)
Unexpected Art: Art that offers an element of surprise, perhaps occuring at a place or time where it is unexpected.
Participatory Art: Art that directly engages the audience in the creative process, so they become participants in the event (i.e. an interactive
performance or participation in creation of an artwork).
Ephemeral Art: Art that is intended to be temporary, short-lived, or disappear over time.
Contemplative Art: Art that encourages self-reflection and mindfulness.
Timeline
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Project Timeline
Tell us about the proposed timeline and action steps needed to complete this project. Use one line for each milestone and add additional lines as
needed.
Action Step/Milestone Completed by
Eight life-story interviews for the third phase 01/20/2025
Editing eight interview videos 03/23/2025
Make the "Women: hood III" video clip 04/15/2025
Team artists' art production based on the video clip, including a new
performance
09/21/2025
Press contact 09/27/2025
"Women: hood" Third Phase online show prepartion 10/10/2025
The opening reception/ pop-up show 10/11/2025
The interview videos and art images submission to the Iowa
Women's Achieves
11/28/2025
Budget
To save progress, click "Save as Draft" at the bottom of the File Uploads page.
Please use the budget templates below. A completed budget should tell us what sources of funds your project will use and how you plan to spend
the grant money.
Project Funding Sources
Total Project Cost *
$7,542.00
Matching Grant Request *
$3,771.00
Please list any other funding sources supporting your project. Add additional rows as needed.
Other funding source *Amount *Committed or Anticipated?*
Kawai $3,621.00 Committed Anticipated
Local grocery stores (Pionner Coop and
Bread Garden)
$150.00 Committed Anticipated
Please describe any project supplies, equipment, or labor which are being donated in-kind
Because the project core is interviews and performance, technical support labor is essential to edit the interviews and make interview clip video,
and to edit a performance video. These are donated in-kind. In addition, the project has collaborated with two organizations at the University of
Iowa: The Women’s Resources & Action Center hosts the project opening reception/ exhibition. The Iowa Women’s Archives stores our art
materials digitally. These are another in-kind match. The third phase of the “Women: Hood” might add new partnership as in-kind match, such as
local artists as well as creative groups, such as Iowa City Joy March and Public Space One.
- Technical labor for interview editing and performance editing.
- Event print materials.
- Supplies at the reception, including fabric for display. Paper and other art supplies for the event survey.
- Event print materials.
- Supplies at the reception, including fabric for display. Paper and other art supplies for the event survey.
- Event print materials.
- Supplies at the reception, including fabric for display. Paper and other art supplies for the event survey.
Project Budget
Please list a breakdown of project expenses and funding sources. Funding for personal property or gain will not be authorized. Example:
Amount:Describe Expense Item:Amount paid by Matching Grant:Amount paid in-kind or by other
funding source:
$400 Paint $400
$200 Paint Supplies $200
$1,500 Artist labor $500 $1,000
$150 Plaque/signage $150
Amount Expense Item Amount paid by Matching
Grant
Paid in-kind or by other
funding source
$2,500.00 artist labor) 500 x 5 $2,271.00 $229.00
$756.00 Equipment for interviews and
performance production Lights
168, microphone 264, hard-
drive 224
$756.00
$138.00 Equipment for performance
production (Bluetooth speaker
138)
$138.00
$2,198.00 The equipment for art
production: Computers for
editing interview/ performance
(MacBook Air 999.00 +Mac
1,199)
$2,198.00
$1,500.00 Project website buiiding
(webdesign and domain)
$1,500.00
$150.00 Print materials $150.00
$150.00 Supplies for the opening show/
reception
$150.00
$150.00 reshment at the reception $150.00
File Uploads
Letters of support, if available (?)
BhandaryLetterforWomenhood.pdf 74.38KB
WomenHood Project Letter of Recommendation.pdf 1.07MB
Images (?)
Kawai_Eating My Tongue _1st eition.jpg 1.85MB
Sigler_Queen Platter_RBG_1st Edition.jpg 1.12MB
Smith_drawing Becky_2nd edition.jpg 508.26KB
Smith_Maria_2nd edition.jpg 457.85KB
Kawai_Blooming Together_performance image.jpg 1.13MB
Site Plan (?)
Kawai_Site Plan at WRAC.jpg 769.29KB
Additional Information (?)
Iowa City Press-Citizen article_1st phase.pdf 149.31KB
Signature
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