City of Fremont Central Park Community Center Public Art Commission

The City of Fremont is seeking professional artists for a commission for the new Central Park Community Center in Fremont, California. The proposed community center will be a modern park building nestled within a 430-acre park adjacent to Lake Elizabeth at the heart of Central Park. The building will include a lobby, fitness/dance rooms, arts and crafts rooms, a community meeting room, and an outdoor living room in Phase 1, with Phase 2 potentially including an event hall, outdoor terrace, and ceremonial lawn.

Artwork should create a sense of place and arrival, with opportunities for integration both indoors and outdoors. The artwork is proposed to be concentrated at the building entrance, leading into the high-ceilinged lobby and outdoor living room. Art may take the form of sculpture, wall art, bollards, suspended sculpture, decorative paving, shade elements, lighting features, custom furniture, or other art forms. Multiple artists may be selected. Selected artists will work with the architect and landscape architect throughout the project and will likely contract as a subcontractor with the City's general contractor for final installation.

Eligibility: Open to professional artists 18+ years old with experience executing their ideas from concept to completion and working in the public realm, preferably with public agencies. Application materials required: up to 10 images of past work with descriptions (title, date completed, location, description, commissioning body, cost, artist's role, materials, and video link if relevant), a current professional resume (3 pages max), and a statement of interest (300 words max) describing why this opportunity appeals to you and how your work can enhance the project. Do not submit proposals with your application; artists who submit proposals will be disqualified.

Selection will occur in two rounds. Round 1: The Art Selection Committee will conduct blind evaluation of submissions based on strength of previous work in similar environments, suitability to the project, durability of materials, demonstrated ability to complete similar public art projects, and the artist's understanding of the project. Round 2: Selected artists will receive a $500 stipend to develop a proposal after meeting with the project team. The Art Review Board will make final selections based on all materials, interviews, and budget negotiations. Minimum art awards are $25,000, with a maximum of approximately $330,000 (or $470,000 if Phase 2 is funded). The total project art budget is $330,000-$470,000, and budgets will include all expenses including design, collaboration, structural design, permitting, fabrication, installation, travel, and insurance. Questions regarding the RFQ must be submitted by email by 1:00 PM PT on January 28, 2025.