Capitola Playable Sculpture

The City of Capitola is seeking proposals for a Playable Climbing Sculpture to be located at Esplanade Park at the entrance to Capitola Beach. The Monterey Bay Marine themed sculpture will be installed on an approximately 18 x 20 feet pad area, with a maximum height not exceeding 5 feet. The sculpture will be mounted into the ground and surrounded by an ASTM F1292 tested, unitary shock absorbing surface meeting U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission playground requirements. Materials must be weather resistant and safe for children to climb on, as the sculpture will be in a marine environment.

The public art project budget is $50,000, which includes all expenses related to research, design, fabrication, design documents, renderings, structural and engineering drawings, transportation, accommodations, insurance, and all other project-related expenses. The artist will work with the City of Capitola Public Works on installation.

This opportunity is open to artists working or living on the west coast of the United States in California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. Applicants must be able to demonstrate they have all necessary permits to work in the United States at the time of submittal. The selection process has two phases: Phase One involves review of submittals and selection of up to four finalists by a committee including Art and Cultural Commission members, community members, retail district representatives, and visual arts professionals. Phase Two requires selected finalists to prepare and present detailed concept proposals in-person to the Public Art Project Committee. Selected finalists will receive a stipend to help prepare and present their concept proposals. Evaluation criteria include aesthetic excellence of past projects, appropriateness of prior concepts to public art and project goals, experience developing artworks in outdoor environments, and experience with construction materials and methods appropriate to the project scope. The City will contract with the selected artist using a standard design-fabrication agreement.

Applications must include: a summary of relevant past experience, current résumé with at least 2 professional references, 6 digital images representing a minimum of 3 completed projects (each with location, year of completion, and cost information), and descriptions of past work including title, date, location, dimensions, materials, and budget. If work was created as part of a team, indicate your specific role.