The U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) began in 2003 as a way for American visual artists from every walk of life to contribute to the design of U.S. coins. Artists in the Program have designed a number of coins, including coins in the Statehood Quarters series and the Westward Journey Nickel series. There are three categories of artists in the Program, two of which are entry-level opportunities.
Master Designers - Master Designers have been participants in the Artistic Infusion Program for at least 2 years, and are promoted from within the ranks of the Associate Designers. There are a maximum of 10 Master Designer positions.
Associate Designers - Associate Designers are established, professional visual artists who have had specialized training in their field, derive a portion of their earned income from their artistic work, and have gained significant public recognition for their work by having it displayed in museums, curated gallery exhibits, or professional journals. There are a maximum of 10 Associate Designer positions.
Student Designers - Student Designers are participants in a 3 week internship program at the U.S. Mint, as well as being invited to submit coin designs. Upon application, the Student Designer must currently be enrolled in a recognized visual arts education program at the college or graduate level. There are 6 Student Designer positions.
General Information, Compensation, Etc. - All participants must be U.S. Citizens. Selected artists make a commitment to the U.S. Mint for one year (with possible renewals), during which time they will be invited to submit designs for at least one upcoming coin. For each commissioned design submitted, the artist will be paid an honorarium according to his level in the Program: $1,500 per commission for Masters, $1,000 for Associates, and $500 for Students. Any artist whose design is selected for coining will receive a $2,000 bonus.
How to Apply - The U.S. Mint will advertise a Call for Artists from time to time when the Program is accepting applications. Applicants must apply in one of two categories: Associate Artists, who are working professional visual artists, or Student Artists, who are college-level students currently enrolled in a visual arts program. Interested persons must submit an application which includes the following main elements:
- Your resume, with a particular emphasis on your artistic background
- 8 to 12 35mm slides depicting your artistic work
- An "artists slide sheet" providing descriptions of the slides
- A 250 word statement that describes your work as an artist, and how that work might invigorate the designing of future U.S. coins
- A design exercise, as directed by the U.S. Mint in its Application Packet for the Program
To learn more about the Artistic Infusion Program, including whether or not applications are currently being accepted (or when the Program might reopen again), visit the U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program web page, where you will also find links to the application packets, if available.
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