City of San Jose: Environmental Innovation Center Public Art Commission

The City of San Jose's Office of Cultural Affairs and Environmental Services Department are seeking an artist to create artwork for the new Environmental Innovation Center (EIC). The EIC is a 4.2 acre site with a 46,000 square foot renovated warehouse that will serve as a premier location for the development, demonstration, training, and display of Clean Tech innovations. The facility will provide commercialization, incubation, and prototype manufacturing services to emerging clean technology companies. The EIC is anticipated to draw over 25,000 visitors annually and will house three principal tenants: the Clean Technology Development Center, a construction materials reuse store, and Santa Clara County's Household Hazardous Waste collection facility. When completed, the facility is anticipated to achieve LEED Silver rating.

The selected artist will collaborate with the building design team and Environmental Services Department to develop artwork that reinforces the building's environmental values and objectives. There is stated interest in art projects that integrate with the building's storm water management system. The scope and nature of such opportunities will be determined after the artist is selected. The design budget is $25,000 with estimated fabrication of $110,000. The selected artist will be contracted for project design only at this time. The design budget must cover all expenses related to the design phase including travel, accommodations, insurance, presentation materials, and preparation of construction documentation.

This opportunity is open to individual artists working or living in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, or Arizona. The selected artist or team must have all necessary documentation and permits to work in the United States at the time of submittal. Selection criteria include aesthetic merit of past projects, experience creating public artworks in collaboration with design teams and community stakeholders, and experience developing environmental artworks integrated into building systems and storm water management. The Public Art Core Team will review applications and recommend an artist. The Public Art Committee of the San Jose Arts Commission will review the panel's recommendation on October 20, 2009.