City of Fremont: Public Artwork for Inspiration Plaza

The City of Fremont, California is seeking artist proposals for the commission of an innovative and permanent public art installation for a new outdoor plaza, Inspiration Plaza, in south Fremont. The artist will design, fabricate, and install the artwork. The area for the artwork is approximately 100 square feet.

The artwork will be located at Inspiration Plaza, part of a new mixed-use development called Embark Apartments, located at 44758 Old Warm Springs Boulevard in Fremont's Warm Springs Innovation District. The plaza will be privately owned but publicly accessible open space, activated by retail, seating, and space for community events. The artwork will be located at the northeast corner of South Grimmer Boulevard and Old Warm Springs Boulevard, adjacent to the future public street Inspiration Way. The development, including the plaza, is anticipated to be complete by summer 2020.

This opportunity is open to all professional artists nationwide. Artists must be at least 18 years of age and have experience working with substantial budgets. The budget for this project—including design, fabrication, and installation—is $160,000. Applicants must submit a letter of interest, updated resume (no more than three pages), at least four and no more than eight images of previously installed work with title, medium, dimensions, and value, one conceptual art proposal with descriptive narrative, and three professional references. Selection criteria include strength of conceptual proposal and narrative, artist's resume and letter of interest, demonstrated ability to complete public art projects of similar scale, proposed artwork's resistance to wear and vandalism, ease of maintenance, and adherence to public safety standards. Responses will be evaluated by the City of Fremont's Art Review Board, which will recommend first and second choice proposals to the Fremont City Council for final approval.