East Oakland Sports Center Public Art Commission

The City of Oakland is seeking artists to create public artwork for the East Oakland Sports Center, a new facility funded through Measure DD that will include swimming pools, basketball courts, gymnasium, soccer and baseball fields, a running track, fitness center, and learning media center. Located at 9175 Edes Avenue in East Oakland, the facility will serve the surrounding residential neighborhood and nearby public institutions.

Preferred artwork sites include treatments to the glass wall of the indoor pool and wall and ceiling treatments throughout the facility, as well as the perforated metal sunscreen on the east and south exterior walls of the pool building. Artwork treatments might include silk-screened images, text, design, perforation designs, or other approaches using color and texture. The public art budget is $150,000 and is fully funded by Measure DD, covering all artist design and collaboration fees, fabrication, transportation, installation, and oversight.

Eligibility is open to practicing, professional artists living in California, Oregon, and Washington. Artists working in all visual media are welcome; those without previous glass experience may be paired with an experienced glass art fabricator. Selected artist(s) must hold an Oakland Business Tax Certificate and provide proof of commercial general liability, automobile, and worker's compensation insurance. The selection process includes two phases: Phase One involves pre-screening and panel review of up to five finalists based on professional qualifications, appropriateness to site, previous experience, familiarity with public agencies, collaborative ability, and capacity to execute work within budget and schedule. Phase Two requires finalists to visit the site and present their approach to the selection panel. Final approval requires endorsement by the Public Art Advisory Committee, Cultural Affairs Commission, and City Council. Submissions must include an artist statement, resume (maximum two pages), ten images of past work, and image descriptions with project details. Deadline: October 16, 2007 at 11:00 p.m. PDT.