Artist Designed Infrastructure: Bioretention Edition

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture are commissioning an artist or two-person artist team to develop and design a "kit of parts" or catalog of ready-made artistic elements for roadside bioretention projects. These natural drainage systems are being built throughout Seattle neighborhoods to provide water quality treatment for stormwater runoff and prevent pollutants and sediments from degrading water quality in creeks, rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound.

The kit of parts will include inlay elements such as patterns or lettering for sidewalk replacement or new curbs, edging, signage, stepping-stones, benches, drainage infrastructure including grating and channels, and small-scale sculptures. All artistic elements must be designed with ease of maintenance and durability in mind, including slip/trip hazards and accessibility considerations. The commissioned artist or team will work with SPU landscape designers, project managers, and engineers to produce design plans and specifications for incorporating the artistic elements.

The project consists of two phases. Phase I involves designing and fabricating artistic elements for the Thornton Creek Natural Drainage System project in North Seattle neighborhoods, with the artist working closely with project designers, engineers, and community members. Phase II involves developing additional artistic elements to compile with Phase I components into a full catalog for future bioretention projects throughout Seattle. The selected artist or artist team will receive $70,000 total, with 50% paid during Phase I and 80% paid during Phase II (30% upon design completion and 20% upon catalog delivery). Eligibility is limited to artists residing in Washington State. Teams may consist of no more than two artists. Students are not eligible. Submit 16 images of past artworks and a written, audio, or video statement of interest (written statements not to exceed 2,000 characters; audio or video not to exceed 1.5 minutes).