Lafayette Library and Learning Center: Outdoor Plaza Corridor Public Art Commission

The Lafayette Library and Learning Center is seeking an individual artist or team of artists to create a permanent outdoor art project within the Outdoor Plaza Corridor. The Corridor spans the distance between the amphitheatre at the corner of First Street and Golden Gate Way and the main entrance to the Library on Mount Diablo Boulevard, encompassing approximately 13,000 square feet across five sections: Main Plaza, Plaza Staircase, Reading Court, Amphitheatre, and South Plaza.

The Outdoor Plaza Corridor is intended to be a site of constant activity, particularly with students from surrounding schools. Artists selected as finalists will be asked to develop proposals that may include characteristics such as tactile, playful or whimsical, kinetic, light-based, interactive, imaginative, durable and easy to maintain elements. The goals are to enhance the physical connection between the two main entrances to the Library campus, engage library visitors of all ages, and contribute to the resources and outdoor amenities provided to visitors.

Eligibility: Practicing, professional artists who live or maintain a studio in California are eligible to compete. Artists may apply individually or as collaborative teams; 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 $245,000, which must cover all costs including design and management fees, production of design documents, fabrication, transportation, installation, permits, insurance, licenses, and taxes.

The selection process occurs in two phases. Phase One involves pre-screening for eligibility and a selection panel review to recommend up to five finalists. Phase Two requires finalists to attend an orientation meeting in early May with a site visit, and a proposal presentation and interview meeting tentatively scheduled for the week of July 14th. Finalists 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 panel meeting. Submission deadline: April 11, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. MDT via CaFÉ online system. Applicants must submit 12 images. There is no application fee.