Gateway to Norwalk – Celebration of Public Art

The Norwalk Redevelopment Agency invites professional artists or teams of artists with experience in executing public art projects to apply for a public art commission. Artists should submit qualifications and design proposals for permanent artwork(s) to be installed on the West Avenue Corridor, a public arterial linking downtown and south Norwalk. This public art project is supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts "Our Town" program, with matching funds from the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and the City of Norwalk. The project budget is $100,000.

The West Avenue Corridor includes I-97/Route 7 overpasses and retaining walls. The commission will support design, creation, installation and maintenance of artwork on the concrete retaining wall to create a more hospitable point of connection between nearby neighborhoods and the 40,000 daily vehicle trips that pass through the corridor. Proposals may include murals, bas-relief sculpture, sculptural forms attached to the surface, tile works, optical installations, and other media. Proposals may address one or more sections of the wall or the entire length. Proposals should include details of lighting elements, either integrated into the artwork or to illuminate it; energy efficient and alternative lighting technologies are encouraged. Thematic and visual connections to Norwalk's history, culture, people and heritage may be included but are not mandatory; contemporary and surprising designs are also encouraged.

The artwork must be appropriate for a general public audience including children, compatible with the site, resistant to vandalism and extreme weather conditions, and designed to discourage climbing and hiding. The proposal should include plans for maintenance over an extended period; low maintenance projects will be more competitive. Installation will be overseen by the artist or creative team in collaboration with the City of Norwalk Department of Public Works, the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and the Norwalk Arts Commission. Submission requirements include a written proposal, project budget, examples of past work and a CV. Up to five finalists will each receive a $2,500 stipend for concept proposals and must be available to present their concepts in person to the review panel in Norwalk, CT. Deadline for submissions: April 14, 2014. Review of proposals and selection of finalists: April 2014. Finalist interviews: May 2014. Fabrication/execution period: June–September 2014. Installation: October 1–30, 2014. There is no application fee.