Clearwater Downtown Boat Slips & Promenade Public Art Commission

The City of Clearwater Public Art & Design Program is commissioning an artist or artist team to create an original piece of public art for the newly completed Downtown Boat Slips and Promenade. The budget for this commission is $200,000 USD, inclusive of all costs including design fees, consultation, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, and contingency.

This public art commission is open to all professional artists and artist teams residing within the United States. Artists may apply as a team, with the application clearly describing each collaborator's contribution. Artists living and working within Florida are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Downtown Boat Slips & Promenade features a 126-slip facility with 1,700 feet of overnight space for visitors and 700 feet of daytime space. The project includes enhanced pedestrian walkways and landscaping in the uplands area. A critical theme identified for this project is "Safe Harbor," reflecting the site's role as an area of enjoyment and refuge. The artwork should be original and site-specific, exciting and iconic, complementing the natural beauty of Clearwater Harbor. It should serve as a visual anchor between downtown and the boat slips, accessible to both walk-up and boat viewers. The artwork must be fabricated using durable, low-maintenance materials that withstand Florida's heat, salty air, humidity, and sunlight. Project completion and dedication is scheduled for August 2011. Semi-finalists will present in October 2010, with contract award in October 2010.