Norfolk International Airport Public Art Commission

The Norfolk Public Art Commission and the Airport Art Planning Committee seek to commission an artist to design and create exterior artwork for Norfolk International Airport. The artwork should be site-specific, creatively stimulate thought and conversation, and be relevant to Norfolk. The perfect artwork will create a sense of arrival, originality and momentarily relieve the stresses of air travel.

Exterior artwork should be experienced by the maximum number of airport patrons. Key locations include the main entrance on Norview Avenue and Azalea Garden Road, and the park just outside the pedestrian bridge between the main terminal and baggage claim. Artwork would need to be approximately 20 feet tall to be at eye level from inside. The artwork must be large enough to be viewed by the maximum number of people entering and exiting the airport and must be fabricated in durable, permanent outdoor materials that are safe and easily maintained.

The total budget for the completed, delivered and installed artwork is $200,000, covering artist's honorarium, fabrication, materials, shipping and insurance, travel expenses, project plaque, final documentation and incidental expenses. Up to five finalists may be selected to be interviewed by the Public Art Planning Committee via Skype. The selected artist must hire a Virginia licensed contractor to install the artwork and may be asked to present a community educational workshop or presentation. A city contract will be issued with a design phase requiring review and approval by the Public Art Commission prior to fabrication. The selected artist must carry a Commercial General Liability Insurance Policy naming both the City of Norfolk and the Norfolk Airport Authority as additional insured, with a normal expected insurance requirement of three million dollars each occurrence. Selection will be based on artistic merit, professional artistic experience, and appropriateness of materials, style and concepts. Submission deadline is May 4, 2017 at 11:59 PM MDT. Selection will be announced in June 2017, with completion of art expected in Spring 2018.