DART Sustainable Multi-Modal Transit Hub Call for Artists

DART is seeking artists or artist teams to create public art for the Sustainable Multi-Modal Transit Hub in Des Moines. The Transit Hub will serve as the central hub for the transit system, gathering local bus, express bus, bikes, connections to future passenger rail, taxi services, and intercity bus services into one location. The facility is designed to meet LEED Certified Gold requirements and will demonstrate energy conservation and storm water management.

Artists are invited to propose artwork for multiple areas including: the south fence/screen wall, glass windscreens on customer platforms, bench backs, facility lighting (subject to LEED restrictions), a floor design for the main entrance, photography documenting LEED aspects, a standalone sculpture piece for the plaza, and individual pieces for public areas. DART is open to inventive ideas for incorporating art based on a common theme. Selected artists or teams will propose at least three themes for the art, which the DART project team will choose from. Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2011.

Selection criteria include: quality of art or design, impact on transit customers, connection to site and community, public health and safety considerations, appropriateness for the site and scale, durability and sustainability of materials, resistance to vandalism, and cost. The selection panel includes members of the Project Design team, Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation, DART customers, and DART staff. Finalists will be invited to Des Moines for individual interviews and will receive a design honorarium of $1,500. The public art budget is approximately $300,000, which includes all art costs including design fees, materials, fabrication, documentation, transportation, and installation. Applications should include an artist's statement, resume or biographical sketch (maximum 1 page per artist), 8-20 digital images of artwork, and an image list with title, year completed, medium, dimensions, installation location, and brief description of each work.