The United States Mint invites artists nationwide to participate in a renaissance of American coin and medal design.  The Artistic Infusion Program is being created to enrich and invigorate the design of United States coins and medals by developing a pool of professional artists (Master Designers) and college and graduate-level art students (Associate Designers) in sculpture, engraving, graphic design, drawing and other visual arts, who will be invited to create and submit new designs for selected coin and medal programs throughout the year.

The National Endowment for the Arts will assist the United States Mint with the evaluation of applications and the artist selection process.  Applications should be postmarked no later than January 9, 2004.

The United States Mint encourages applications from talented artists, representing diverse backgrounds and a variety of interests reflecting those of the American people, who will look at coin design in new ways.  Artists selected to participate in the program will be paid honoraria for their work, and those whose designs are used for certain coins and medals will be named as the designer in historical documents, including certificates of authenticity and promotional materials.  Most importantly, the program provides the nation's most gifted artists with the opportunity to contribute beautiful designs to coins that will be enjoyed by all Americans.

Selected artists will also attend a United States Mint-sponsored orientation program on February 19-20, 2004, in Philadelphia to learn about the history of coin and medal design, the coin-making process and upcoming design opportunities.

The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792 to produce circulating coins for the nation's trade and commerce.  Today, the United States Mint creates popular coins such as the 50 State Quarters® Program, as well as commemorative coins and congressional medals honoring individuals and events of special meaning to the American people.  In addition to the classic work of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who created the 1907 $20 gold piece, modern commemorative coins have been designed in the past decade by outside artists including:  Jamie Wyeth, Tiffany & Co.®, Marcel Jovine, Marika Somogyi, Ed Dwight, Patricia Lewis Verani, William Woodard, Edward Southworth Fisher, George Klauba, Thomas M. Nielson, Joseph Peña, James Sharpe, Dean McMullen, Bill J. Leftwich, Charles J. Madsen, Richard T. LaRoche, Scott R. Blazek, Malcolm Farley, Bart Forbes, Clint Hansen, Calvin Massey, Frank Gasparro, and Don Troiani.

Please download the "Call for Artists—Application Packet" at right (which includes program details, eligibility requirements, artistic criteria, and detailed application guidelines) for either the Master or Associate Designer categories.  Direct all inquiries to the United States Mint by telephone at (202) 354-7727 or by e-mail at art@usmint.treas.gov.