Methods for selecting an artist: 

1. Open competition

An open submission competition usually involves a two-stage process. Stage 1 is an initial call for artists and usually asks for minimum information such as cv, examples of past works, sketch idea, proposal and an outline budget. In some cases it may only involve a request for an artists' cv and samples of past work. Stage 2 involves a shortlisting a small number of artists to develop their ideas further. Sometimes an interview process is part of this selection.

Artists are usually paid a fee for Stage 2 development of an original context specfic proposals ideas. It is important to advertise well through resource agency websites, e-bulletins and select art journals and newspapers. 

2. Limited/Curated competition

A limited/curated competition is whereby a curator, on behalf of a client, invites a select group of artists to submit a proposal for a competitive process. Again, artists are usually paid a fee for developing proposals. Limited competitions can ensures that artists who you would like to invite, and who might not normally apply for an open-competition, might participate in the process. It is highly recommended to include a curatorial expertise in generating a shortlist of artists.  

3. Invitation

This is whereby an artist is directly invited to make work/awarded a commission with no competitive process. It is highly recommended to include curatorial expertise to advise or give feedback on the choice of artist. In general, but not necessarily direct commissions are offered when the budget is small. In direct invitations it is recommended that artists receive a fee to develop ideas and have time for research before agreeing a contract.