Municipality of Anchorage: Downtown Signals & Lighting Upgrades Public Art Commission

The Municipality of Anchorage is announcing a call for qualified artists to create artwork as part of the Project Management & Engineering Department's Downtown Signals and Lighting Upgrades construction. The Art Selection Jury intends to commission one sculptural installation totaling $30,000 to be permanently installed in a widened sidewalk landscape area at the intersection of 4th Avenue and B street. The landscaped area will be an addition to the sidewalk extension on the 4th Avenue block between B and C streets. Project construction will be substantially completed during summer 2021, with artwork installation planned for summer 2022.

The designated area is identified as an entry corridor to downtown and the Anchorage Design District. The construction renovation will create 11.5 feet of pedestrian walkway as well as an area of widened landscape where the artwork will be placed. Easy access to electricity is available within the planted areas for proposals seeking to include a lighting element. The Art Selection Jury has focused on highlighting Anchorage as a distinctly unique northern environment. Suggested themes include historic preservation, nature and wildlife conservation, and indigenous values and traditions associated with land stewardship. While not required, the jury expressed interest in proposals that are illuminated or otherwise incorporate or respond to light. Proposals incorporating lighting should not cast significant light beyond the sidewalk to the north property line and should not create glare distracting to vehicles or pedestrians.

The artwork must be durable with minimal routine maintenance requirements and designed to last approximately 30 years. This is an earthquake area and must meet applicable building codes as amended by the Municipality of Anchorage. Sculptures taller than 6 feet must be engineered and permitted through the MOA system. The total budget of $30,000 includes all costs of design, fabrication, installation, landscaping, photographic documentation, catalogue documentation, and an identifying plaque. Permitting and engineer fees for sculptures taller than 6 feet must be paid by the artist. State laws related to public construction, including licensing, insurance, bonding, and payment of prevailing wage rates, may apply. Artists must submit six digital images of past work, a current 1-2 page resume with three professional references, an artist statement describing interest and qualifications for the project, and a brief conceptual proposal identifying location, medium, and thematic relevance. Entry deadline is August 20, 2021 at 11:59 PM MST. Contact the Curator of Public Art at (907) 343-6473 for additional information.