Landmark Public Artwork at Providence Innovation District Park

The City of Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and Art in City Life Commission invite artists to submit qualifications for a Landmark Public Artwork in Providence Innovation District Park. This inaugural, large-scale, signature, permanent work of art will be the first activation of Providence's Art in City Life Ordinance, a percent for art allocation. The artwork will be installed in the western base of the Michael Van Leesten Memorial Pedestrian Bridge at 120 Peck Street, Providence, RI 02903, which connects the east and west sides of the Providence River in downtown Providence. The surrounding park will serve as a primary space for large gatherings, festivals, and events, as well as regular programming including weekday lunchtime or evening music offerings, weekend farmers markets, and public celebrations.

Successful proposals must grapple with the historic complexity of the site and respond to its current physical condition with visibility from multiple sight lines. Design considerations include durability of materials, ease and cost of maintenance in the New England climate, adequate vertical profile for gathering space and ADA accessibility, and sight lines from Eddy Street, Dorrance Street, and South Water Street. The project budget is $850,000.

This call is open to professional artists within the United States. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, gender nonconforming persons, LGBTQIA+ community members, and people with differing physical abilities are highly encouraged to apply. Artists must demonstrate experience as a public artist with at least one successful installation of permanent public art, three successful installations of temporary public art, or demonstrated capacity to bring studio artworks to scale in the public realm. Applicants must submit an artist statement, CV or resume, and up to 10 examples of previous work by May 2, 2021. Selected finalists will be contracted to complete a design proposal at a flat rate of $6,500 and invited to a site visit in June 2021. Full design proposals will be presented to the Art Selection Panel in August 2021, with the commissioned artist announced in October 2021. Contact: [email protected]