North Shore Drive Pedestrian Bridge Public Art Commission

The City of West Palm Beach is seeking a public artist or artist team to create integrated art elements for a new pre-fabricated pedestrian bridge serving the North Shore, Echo Lakes, and Westfield neighborhoods. The bridge will provide safe access to schools, parks, transit facilities, and commercial centers while serving pedestrians and bicyclists.

Artists may propose art elements integrated into the bridge railing, artistic lighting, and/or access point pathways. The design should reflect the history, culture, and uniqueness of the three adjacent communities, with themes of movement, neighborhood history, and cultural heritage. All designs must meet structural engineering requirements and Florida Department of Transportation approval. The artwork must be appropriate for public display, low maintenance, secure, tamperproof, and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The total project budget for artist-designed elements is $95,000, with $92,000 designated for design development, community outreach, and fabrication. Two short-listed finalists will each receive $1,500 for concept development. The selected artist or team will receive an all-inclusive fee of $92,000 covering design, artist fee, travel, community engagement, and fabrication. Artist responsibilities include developing concepts with community and staff input, conducting three community meetings within 15 days, presenting to committees and community groups, providing bi-monthly updates, and creating a maintenance plan. Eligibility is open to professional artists over 18 who are USA residents with public art experience. Organizations, architectural firms, design firms, galleries, and public art consultants are not eligible. Selection will be based on historic or cultural significance, visual accessibility, quality, appropriateness to site, compatibility with surrounding neighborhood, public welfare, and maintenance considerations.