Knott Road & 15th Street Roundabout Public Art Commission

Art in Public Places, a non-profit organization based in Bend, Oregon, is seeking artists and artist teams to create a public art sculpture commission for the Knott Road & 15th Street Roundabout in southeast Bend. The roundabout, which opened in 2020, is located in the heart of the city's expansion near Caldera High School and Alpenglow Park. Art in Public Places has commissioned a series of wolves depicting a Wolfpack to honor the mascot of Caldera High School, which opened in 2021.

The roundabout is 108 feet in diameter with one large central area measuring 41 feet by 26 feet available for sculpture footings. The truck apron width varies from 12 to 29 feet. Utility lines run through portions of the roundabout, and sculpture footings must be a minimum of 5 feet away from all underground utilities and cannot extend past designated areas above ground. The total project budget is $130,000, including all permits, engineering, fabrication, delivery, installation, insurance, and traffic mitigation.

Artists must submit a letter of interest and six digital images of completed past works from the last 12 years, showcasing sculptures or installations in outdoor spaces by October 25, 2023. Work examples should include title, medium, dimensions, year completed, budget, and location. Three to four finalists will be selected and receive a $1,750 stipend for travel and design time. Finalists will present design renderings via Zoom in late February 2024, with public input gathered in March 2024 and commission selection in late April 2024. Installation is scheduled for summer 2024. Eligibility is open to artists and artist teams residing in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Women, and LGBTQAI+ community members are highly encouraged to apply.