The U.S. Mint is looking to add more talent to their team of artists who design coins and medals. On Monday, Jan. 9, the Mint announced a call for professionals to join their Artistic Infusion Program (AIP).
The AIP contracts artists to work with Mint staff during the design stage of producing United States coins and medals. AIP artists’ designs and their initials are found on many coins and medals. As summarized by the U.S. Mint, AIP artists are:
- Paid a set fee per assignment and earn a bonus fee of $5,000 per design selected for minting
- Named as designer in historical documents, Certificates of Authenticity and promotional materials, and in most cases, have their initials appear on the final coin or medal
- Able to work from their own studios
- A citizen of the United States
- At least 18 years old at the time of application submission
- A professional artist with work either published, produced, or exhibited in any design-driven media such as illustration, graphic design, animation, concept art, comics, collectibles, poster art, street art, tattoo art, or any other outlets where design integrity is at a premium
The Mint’s announcement follows.
United States Mint Announces Call for Artists
Artistic Infusion Program Invites Artists to Design Nation’s Coins and Medals
The United States Mint (Mint) is pleased to announce a call for artists to participate in its Artistic Infusion Program (AIP). Established in 2003, the Mint AIP contracts with talented, professional American artists who represent diverse backgrounds and a variety of interests. The AIP was specifically designed with the objective of enriching and invigorating the designs of United States coins and medals. The program meets that goal by developing a pool of talented external artists who are prepared to work closely with the Mint’s staff, including the United States Mint Chief Engraver and Medallic Artists, to create and submit new designs for selected coin and medal programs throughout the year. Interested artists are highly encouraged to submit applications for consideration.
AIP artists’ designs are found on many coins and medals. In most cases, the artist’s initials appear on the final coins or medals, along with the initials of the Mint Medallic Artist who sculpted the selected designs. Artist information is included in historical documents, Certificates of Authenticity, and promotional materials.
Artists who join the AIP work under a task order contract from their own studios, providing candidate designs in the form of finished drawings. Under current AIP provisions, artists are paid $2,000 to $3,000 per assignment. In addition, artists receive a $5,000 bonus for every design selected for use on a coin or medal.
The Mint will be accepting applications for the program beginning January 23, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time (ET). Applicants must fill out an application form and submit five to ten images of work from their portfolio. Following Evaluation Phase One, the Mint may invite selected participants to join the AIP without further evaluation. Those applicants selected for further evaluation will be invited to Evaluation Phase Two, which will require the submission of a resume or CV, a web link to their online portfolio, and the development and submission of a demonstration design for which each selected artist will be paid a fee of $1,500.
The Mint is especially interested in artists who will bring innovative perspectives and utilize symbolism in their work to clearly and evocatively convey subjects and themes. From portraits and landscapes to depictions of notable achievements in American history, coin and medal designs require rendering a range of subjects and themes on a small space.
To serve as an AIP Designer, a candidate must be:
To be considered, artists must register online at www.usmint.gov/callforartists and submit their application, including images, by March 3, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern Time (ET).
About the United States Mint
The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792 and became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. It is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.
If I were but an artist, but sticks figures don’t cut it, so suffice it to say I’m out of the game.
God, that’s funny. I nominate for the series a colorized dollar honoring finger painting.
Better yet. Put Lori Lightfoot on the dollar bill finger painting a full color rainbow. I mean what represents America more than that? Except that basketball player that hates America that was in jail in Russia. Maybe biden will release El chapo for that lady that joined IsIs. And wants to come back to America with her jihad baby. She can go on the $2 bill.
Or purpled.
I still think it would be great idea to have a few retro coins every year….Gobrecht etc. Probably the only way some of those coin designs will ever get into our hands….maybe in a silver half dollar line.
There’s a series of commemorative coins with those figures on them, i.e., seated liberty, eagle, etc.
Recently???
Exactly…..and more affordable. I just think there would be a market for a half dollar series of one design a year of previous coin designs ….be it from any denomination….in silver half dollar form. What a great series it would be to introduce young collectors to the history of american coinage.
2016 was a good year for bringing back past designs. This was one of them.
US Mint must embrace patriotism or forget this minting business.
In fairness there is no Patrick Henry liberty or death coin. No tripoint hat coins. Paul revere (way weird since he was known for silver) the Boston massacre victims, Boston tea party coin. Rosie the riveter , Memphis Belle, coin. Or even Mel Gibson. Patriot is subjective. E pluribus unum is Latin, what do that have to do with patriotism?
To be fair, I guess if you do the January 6th patriot coin ya probably should do the blm rioters, I mean peaceful protesters on the other side. Won’t designate obverse or reverse as that could be prejudicial.
Uh … <cough> … I have a hunch that’s NOT the type of “Patriot” he was thinking of for that day. Would be interesting to note the date on the coin: 2020-2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2928, 2029, 2030 …
Anagrams can sometimes be instructive. If such a patriot/traitor coin were ever minted, it likely would be the last of this republic and the first of a decent into hell. The executive who signed the legislation would likely oversee all future designs for the series until his death. At that time a son or daughter of the executive’s choosing would assume such responsibilities. Coins would be required to have the following inscriptions: “In Our God You Believe”, “6MWE”, “Blood and Soil” and “You Will Not Replace Us!” The obverse would have a rendering of the dear leader and the reverse… Read more »
It goes without saying that the San Francisco Mint would be shuttered and moved to Mississippi. Farewell Adolph Alexander Weinman. Imagine the fabulous new designs from the mind of George Anthony Devolder Kitara Ravache Zabrovsky Santos!