City of Seattle: Neighborhood Solar Artwork Installations and Capitol Hill Gateway Kiosk

The Office of Arts & Culture, in partnership with Seattle City Light and its Renewable Energy Program, seeks three artists for two separate public art projects involving solar-powered installations.

For the Capitol Hill Gateway Kiosk – Renewable Energy Project, one artist or artist team will be commissioned to create a free-standing artwork activated by solar energy that provides an accessible and educational, interactive demonstration of solar energy and functions as an informational kiosk. The artwork will brand Capitol Hill as an arts and culture district while highlighting the potential of solar energy. Three finalists will be selected based on past work and invited to develop proposals. Selected finalists will receive $1,500 each to develop a concept proposal. The three selected artists will receive a total project budget of $70,000 for design development, production, taxes, materials, photovoltaics, permits, fabrication, installation, travel and artist fees.

For the Neighborhood Solar Artwork Installations – Renewable Energy Project, two artists or artist teams will be commissioned to create prototype solar installations placed on city-owned properties throughout the city. Artworks may function as free-standing artwork using solar energy, provide an accessible or educational or interactive demonstration of solar energy, or form a place where art activation can occur. Six finalists will be selected based on past work and invited to develop proposals. All finalists will receive $1,500 each to develop a concept proposal. The city will cover eligible travel expenses for finalists to present their concepts.

Both projects require artworks to include photovoltaic panels and educational elements about solar energy. Artworks may include messaging about sustainability, environmental stewardship and renewable energy. The city may hire an artist-consultant with experience in solar-powered artwork to assist selected artists during design development. Artists may apply to either project or both. Regional eligibility. 16 images required.