Lafayette Library and Learning Center: Children's Activity Deck Public Art Commission

An individual artist or team of artists will be selected to create a permanent outdoor art project for the Children's Activity Deck at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. The deck will be adjacent to the Children's Area of the library on the south side of the building, overlooking Golden Gate Way. The deck is intended to be a site for both activity and rest, particularly for young children and their caretakers. Artists selected as finalists will be asked to develop a proposal that may include characteristics such as tactile, playful or whimsical, kinetic, interactive, imaginative, practical, durable and easy to maintain elements. Functional elements such as seating and tables for children and adults are required.

Practicing, professional artists who live or maintain a studio in California are eligible to compete. Artists may apply individually or as part of a collaborative team; all team members must live or maintain a studio in California. Full or part time students are not eligible. Artists working in all permanent media are welcome to apply. The public art budget is $82,500, which must cover all costs including artist design and management fees, travel, design documents, fabrication, transportation, installation, mechanical and electrical requirements, permits, insurance, licenses, taxes, and all other applicable costs.

The selection process occurs in two phases. Phase One involves pre-screening of artist qualifications by Oakland Museum of California staff, followed by a selection panel review to recommend up to five finalists. Phase Two includes an orientation meeting and site visit in early May, followed by a proposal presentation and interview meeting tentatively scheduled for the week of July 14th. Artists selected for the proposal process will receive a $2,000 stipend and reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses. All proposals will be displayed publicly for a minimum of one week before the final selection panel meeting. Required submission materials must be received as a complete application before 10:59 PM PDT on Friday, April 11, 2008.