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Public art board considers trialing AI to screen artist applications
Summary
Board discussed using an AI vendor, Monochronical, to pre-screen artist submissions for large mural calls to reduce reviewer fatigue and incomplete applications; staff proposed a trial and several members urged safeguards.
The Clearwater Public Art and Design Board discussed a proposal to use an AI service, Monochronical, to screen and rank artist applications for large calls, particularly for mural projects that attracted hundreds of submissions.
Amber Bridal explained the board’s last mural call produced 277 applications and that scoring such high volumes strains volunteer jurors and board members. Bridal said she obtained a trial review from Monochronical to test its ability to produce a narrowed shortlist (for example, a top 40 or 50) that staff and the jury could review.
“I asked for a trial from this company... For this it was find me find artists top artists that have large scale mural experience, and based on how good their designs are and skill set basically,” Bridal said. She told the board the AI’s suggestions included several local artists whom the city has previously hired.
Board members raised possible benefits — time savings and reduced reviewer fatigue — and cautioned about bias or over-prioritizing established artists. Several members suggested building in “wild cards” or explicit parameters to surface emerging artists. Bridal said the service would cost about $600 per AI-generated review for each call and that staff would continue to use human jurors after AI pre-screening.
The board did not take a formal vote but the group agreed to trial the tool and review results at the next scheduled meeting, with staff preparing parameters and safeguards for how the AI will be used.
