City of Asheville: 51 Biltmore Public Art Project

The City of Asheville is requesting qualifications from artists, architects, and design professionals to create and install a permanent exterior public art feature above the public parking garage exit at the north side of the Aloft Hotel on Aston Street at 51 Biltmore Avenue in historic downtown Asheville, North Carolina. This project is part of the City's Percent for Art Program and is intended to enhance the sense of local identity in downtown Asheville while complementing the architecture of the Aloft Hotel.

The artwork can be two or three dimensional and must be durable and meet all levels of safety and codes. The approximate area for artwork is 25'H x 22'W. The facade can support nominal loads up to 3,000 to 5,000 pounds total. Artists are responsible for ensuring the artwork does not overload the wall and for hiring an engineer to review loads and connection details if needed. The design must not impede the flow of air from two 30"W x 11.5'H generator heat exhaust louvers, and artists must hire an engineer to inspect all work to ensure no blockage of these vents.

This is a nationwide call with preference given to qualified local artists or teams currently living in North Carolina in Buncombe, Yancey, McDowell, Rutherford, Polk, Henderson, Madison, Haywood, Transylvania, Jackson, Swain, Macon, Graham, Clay, and Cherokee counties (proof of residency required). The commissioned artist or team must collaborate closely with city staff, the building architect, and the city-appointed review committee. Three finalists will be selected and paid $1,000 each for preliminary designs and public meetings. The final selected artist's budget is $25,000 on a turnkey basis, including all costs for proposals, materials, engineering, fabrication, installation, artist commission, and travel. Site photos can be viewed at www.ashevillenc.gov/parks.