Happy Hollow Park and Zoo Public Art Commission

Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, located within Kelley Park in San Jose, is undergoing its first major renovation since opening in 1961. The park specializes in education and entertainment for young children ages 2-10, featuring animals including meerkats, jaguars, capybaras, wallabies, and ruffed lemurs, with a contact section for direct interaction with domestic animals. The renovation will include a redesigned entrance, enhanced and expanded animal spaces, additional rides, and administrative space, with an estimated opening date of August 2009.

This is a two-phase artist selection process for a significant public artwork commission. Only artists or artist teams who have completed large-scale public art projects with total budgets greater than $500,000 will be considered. Artists must demonstrate capability to complete the project by August 2009 and be willing to sign the City of San Jose's standard artwork design and fabrication contracts. Artists whose work appeals to diverse ages and backgrounds and is engaging, whimsical, and/or interactive in nature are invited to apply.

The total design completion and fabrication/installation budget is $865,000, inclusive of all expenses for design, presentation materials, construction documentation, engineering, fabrication, transportation, licenses, and travel. An additional $75,000 contingency is available. Phase I requires submission of qualifications by December 19, 2007 (midnight Mountain Time), with finalists selected by January 11, 2008. Up to 3 finalists will be selected to develop detailed proposals and will each receive a $10,000 concept fee. Finalists will participate in a site visit and public presentation in late January/early February 2008, followed by proposal presentations the week of March 10, 2008. Required application materials include a one-page Artist Statement of Interest, a resume (maximum 3 pages), 10 images representing at least 4 previously completed projects, and an image description list.