Deschutes Public Library Creates New Art Collection

The Deschutes Public Library is building a new art collection across six library branches throughout Deschutes County, Oregon. The project includes a new 100,000 square foot library in east Bend (Stevens Ranch), a new branch library in Redmond, and completely renovated libraries in La Pine, Sunriver, Sisters, and historic downtown Bend. The renovation and new construction is scheduled to conclude in spring 2027. One percent of the brick and mortar costs are reserved for art purchase, with budgets for art per branch ranging from $30,000 to $900,000, totaling just under $1.5 million for the county-wide library system. A fundraising campaign will nearly match the amount funded by the 1% program.

The Deschutes Public Library Art Committee seeks works in all media and genres including painting, printmaking, sculpture, glass, fiber, functional, digital, photography, installation, and mixed media. Works will be diverse in concept and material, both traditional and non-traditional, with lasting endurance. Artworks will be suspended from ceilings, mounted on walls, embedded in floors, and placed in both expected and unexpected locations within buildings and on library grounds.

Artists responding to this call will be considered for inclusion in the Deschutes Public Artists Library Artist Roster. The Art Committee will invite pre-qualified artists from the roster to submit proposals for specific artwork commissions in one or more library branches. Up to five finalists will be invited to submit a formal proposal for each commission. Finalists will receive up to $1,000 honorarium for a written proposal, online presentation, and digital rendering of the proposed artwork. Finalists wishing to visit the area may, on a case-by-case basis, be offered an additional stipend to offset travel expenses. Applicants must submit three to five labeled images (title, medium/media, date, dimensions, estimated value) and a resume including state of residence, education/experience, and any previously commissioned works. There is no entry fee. Only artists residing in the Western United States (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) may apply, with special consideration given to artists from Oregon.