Oakland, CA: Watershed Public Art Markers

Oakland is home to 15 main creeks and over 40 smaller tributaries that play a vital role in the city's health and well-being. These waterways provide plant and wildlife habitat, stormwater transport, flood management, water cleansing functions, and recreational and aesthetic benefits. However, all of Oakland's creeks are now partially or extensively buried or diverted into culverts and storm drains, reducing public awareness of their presence and ecological value.

The City of Oakland is commissioning an artist to create a prototype of an interpretive artwork marker that will identify the location of creek nodes and draw attention to creek habitats throughout the city. The selected artist will fabricate and install a series of three to five markers at various locations in Oakland. The total budget for this project is $92,000, which includes all artist fees, fabrication, installation, and oversight. The budget is separated into soft costs (artist/subcontractor fees) of $18,000 and hard costs (materials/fabrication/installation) of $74,000. The artwork prototype will be owned by the City and may be replicated in future series as funding becomes available. The artist will be required to grant the City licensing rights to the prototype design.

This project is open to practicing, professional artists residing and/or working in the nine Bay Area counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma, with preference given to Oakland-based artists. The selected artist must hold an Oakland Business Tax Certificate and provide proof of insurance for commercial general liability, automobile, and worker's compensation. Submissions must include an artist statement, resume (maximum two pages), ten images of past work, and descriptions of images including project sponsor, location, date, media, dimensions, and budget. The submission deadline is February 6, 2009.