Oak Knoll Oak Woodland Public Art Commission

The Oak Knoll community is a proposed 935-unit residential development on 187 acres of the former Naval Medical Center, Oakland. The project includes daylighting and restoration of Rifle Range Creek, 80 acres of open space with hiking trails, and a community center accessible to Oakland residents.

A 120-foot-wide by 930-foot-long woodland adjacent to Rifle Range Creek, populated with mature oaks, will be preserved during development. A footpath of decomposed granite will connect to a pedestrian bridge at the south and a community center at the north. During creek restoration, the woodland will be cleared of invasive species and debris, and arborists will assess tree health. Some damaged and diseased trees will be removed, but the goal is to preserve and protect the woodland.

SunCal is seeking an artist or team of artists to create permanent art that respects and takes advantage of the natural woodland setting. Artists will work with the landscape architect to safely integrate the installation. Materials must be permanent, durable, weather resistant, and low maintenance. The project budget is $230,000 (gross budget $255,600 minus 10% art consultant fee), covering design, transportation, permits, insurance, materials, fabrication, site preparation, and installation.

A selection panel of art professionals, community stakeholders, and SunCal representatives will choose three finalists based on artistic excellence, innovation, creativity, and professional experience. Three finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium to complete proposals. Finalist interviews and proposal presentations will be conducted in Oakland in January 2017. Finalists' proposals must include an itemized budget, project timeline, project narrative, and maintenance requirements.

Eligibility: All applicants must be practicing, professional artists residing in California (Oakland artists encouraged). Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have necessary documentation and permits to work in the United States. Applications must be submitted online through CaFE and include a resume, references, artist statement, and visual representations of past work (minimum 6, maximum 12 images; up to 4 videos). Each image/video must include title, completion date, location, dimensions, materials, and budget if publicly available. A site tour is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 10am. Project installation is planned for Spring 2019.