City of Fremont: Public Artwork for Outdoor Plaza (Warm Springs Plaza)

The City of Fremont, California is seeking artist qualifications for the commission of an engaging and permanent public art installation within the under-construction Warm Springs Plaza in the Warm Springs Innovation District. The artist will design, fabricate, and install the artwork. The installation area is 16' × 16' with approximately 20' clearance. The budget for this project—including design, fabrication, storage, transportation, and installation—is up to $600,000.

Warm Springs Plaza is part of the Warm Springs/South Fremont West Side Access Bridge and Plaza Project, a joint venture between the City of Fremont and BART. The Plaza will serve as a community gathering place and is expected to experience high volumes of daily pedestrian and bicycle traffic due to its connection to the BART station. The art installation will be located within the southern half of the Plaza, set against a backdrop of silver linden trees. Consistent with the theme of the Innovation District and the Plaza's transit-oriented setting, the artwork should promote and celebrate innovation while respecting the character and scale of the iconic West Access Bridge. The installation should convey a grand sense of arrival in Fremont, serve as a community focal point, and incorporate a sense of light, movement, and transit compatible with the bridge's architecture.

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. Responses will be evaluated by a City staff review panel and then by the Art Review Board (ARB), which will choose finalists to provide conceptual art proposals. Finalists will each receive compensation of up to $500 for their proposal efforts. ARB will review proposals, conduct artist interviews, and select a recommended finalist and alternate for presentation to the Recreation Commission and City Council. Submissions must include an artist statement, portfolio with images and descriptions of previous work, and three professional references. The deadline to apply is Monday, June 28, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.