Ankeny High Trestle Trail Experience

The City of Ankeny seeks artists to fill a recreational trail corridor with public art of all media and sizes. Several artists will be selected to develop proposals paid at $1,000 each. Four sites including an overpass bridge and an underpass tunnel will be considered for larger scale, 'destination'-style public artworks. Multiple sites or the space between them may be addressed singly or comprehensively. The city also seeks artists creating public cultural experiences for $5,000-25,000 budgets, including temporary or performative work, or facilitation of creating new community rituals.

The High Trestle Trail is a 25-mile route from Ankeny to Woodward that crosses the Des Moines River valley with a 13-story high half-mile long bridge. The trail attracts over 250,000 annual visitors. Four sites are available: Irvinedale (trailhead, construction late summer 2020), Ankeny Market Pavilion (two new pavilions in historic downtown, established), Underpass tunnel (precast concrete, under construction), and Oralabor Pedestrian Overpass (early design phase, construction 2021). All media and forms of work are desired, including community engagement, performance, earth works, and interactive sculptures. The total budget for artworks is anticipated to range from $200,000 to $450,000 or higher.

Submit 3-5 images, website, and statement of interest by 1/28/20. Selected artists will develop full proposals due 3/6/20 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Proposals must include CV, statement of concept, anticipated budget, three to five design mock-ups, online portfolio link, and two references related to past public art experience. Selection is based on demonstrated experience with similar projects, success translating concepts through work, quality of samples, durability of previous artwork, ability to meet deadlines, and vision expressed in artist statement. Contact: [email protected].