Today, the United States Mint (Mint) announced that 27 artists have been selected to participate in its Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) to enrich andenhance designs on U.S. coins.

"We've selected diverse artists who represent every region of America, from coast to coast," said Mint Director David J. Ryder. "Sixteen of the artists arenew to the program and we're challenging them to exert a major influence on the future of our nation's coinage, to aspire to the creative mastery of giantssuch as Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Victor David Brenner, and A.A. Weinman as the Mint creates new designs in the 21st century."

AIP artists were selected based on the artistic merit of their applications and demonstration designs they submitted during a national Call for Artists. Allthe AIP artists selected attended a three-day symposium from June 3 to June 5, 2019, featuring intensive training to welcome, guide and inspire their work. AIPartists who took honors in the 2019 Coin of the Year Awards - Justin Kunz and Chris Costello for the 2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin as BestGold Coin, and Emily Damstra for the Boys Town Centennial Silver Dollar, as Most Inspirational Coin - were also recognized at the symposium with acommemorative plaque signed by the Director of the Mint.

Below is a list of the artists selected for the Artistic Infusion Program.

The AIP was established in 2003. It serves to enrich and invigorate the design of United States coins and medals by developing a pool of outside artists whospecialize in graphic design, sculpture, engraving, drawing, painting, and other visual arts. These artists work closely with the United States Mint's staff,including Sculptor-Engravers, to create and submit new designs for selected coin and medal programs throughout the year.

The designs of AIP artists adorn many United States coins and medals, such as America the Beautiful Quarters®, Native American $1 coins, commemorativecoins, platinum proof coins, Congressional Gold Medals, American Liberty gold coins, and various silver and bronze medals.

Artists who join the AIP work under a task order contract from their own studios across the country, providing candidate designs in the form of finisheddrawings. Artists are paid $2,000 to $3,000 per assignment and are awarded a $5,000 bonus if their design is selected for a coin or medal by the Secretary ofthe Treasury. In addition to the bonus, the artist is named in historical documents, Certificates of Authenticity, and promotional materials. In most cases,the artist's initials appear on the final coins or medals along with the initials of the Sculptor-Engraver who sculpted the selected design.

To read the complete press release, see:
United States Mint Selects 27 Artistsfor Artistic Infusion Program (https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/united-states-mint-selects-27-artists-for-artistic-infusion-program)

For more information about the artists, see: https://www.usmint.gov/learn/artists