Morgan Hill Gateway Public Art

The City of Morgan Hill, the El Toro Culture and Arts Committee (ETCAC) and the Morgan Hill Library, Culture and Arts Commission (LCAC) invite professional artists, designers, landscape architects, or groups composed of such professionals from Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada or within a 2-hour flight distance to submit qualifications for Gateway Public Art Project(s). The City is seeking permanent public art at highly visible gateway locations to enliven the landscape and enrich the fabric and culture of the community.

The City of Morgan Hill has a budget of $75,000 for one or multiple gateway art projects to be installed by December 31, 2015. The City is also seeking a grant award for an additional $75,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) "Our Town." If awarded, the total available budget for gateway art projects will be up to $150,000, with additional funds available in October 2015 and project fabrication and installation in 2016. Commissions could be up to $75,000, covering all project costs including design, engineered drawings, fabrication and installation. Different media are acceptable, including structures, sculptures, paint, murals, and lighting. Art concepts should embrace a vibrant and thriving community for future generations.

Gateway locations include: Monterey Road in the center median north of Main Avenue and south of Dunne Avenue; Butterfield Boulevard near the intersections of Dunne Avenue and Main Avenue; new proposed parks on 3rd Street; the Nob Hill Water Tank; the existing Union Pacific Rail Road trestle and/or concrete supporting walls on Old Monterey Highway south of Cochrane Avenue; and the Granary Silos on Depot Street. Artists may also identify other high visibility sites in their proposal. A Community Panel will review qualifications and select up to 10 artists. A Jury will select up to four semi-finalists to develop Concept Designs with $1,000 Concept Design Agreements. The selection schedule includes qualifications due April 17, 2015; semi-finalist interviews May 8, 2015; Concept Designs developed May 8 – June 12; and Full Commission Agreement(s) awarded by June 17, 2015. Applicants must submit a fully completed application with resume(s) and up to 10 images of previous work, along with an artist statement describing what motivates them to create public art and what attracts them to this opportunity.