Palmdale Roundabout Sculpture

The City of Palmdale is converting the existing four-way stop at Avenue S-8 and 40th Street East to a roundabout as a traffic calming measure. A public art sculpture will be installed in the roundabout to enhance the environment and transform the urban landscape. Applications are accepted from artists residing in California. The all-inclusive budget for this project is $40,000, covering the artist fee, proposal design stipend, fabrication, welding, engineering, subcontractors, equipment rentals, and all other expenses related to design, fabrication, transportation, installation, and completion. The artist must provide insurance, obtain a City of Palmdale business license, and provide a payment bond equal to 100% of the contract price. All deliveries should be Free on Board (FOB) Installation in Palmdale.

Community input identified two preferred themes: a public art sculpture that enhances the environment and transforms the urban landscape, and artwork reflecting local landscapes including desert, Joshua trees, yucca trees, poppies, and lake. The selected artist will receive a $450 stipend to submit a color sketch or digital image of the proposed artwork to scale. Proposals must reflect project objectives, including theme and context, and be respectful of the community. Artwork must be family-friendly and cannot depict sexual conduct, sexually explicit nudity, or advertise any illegal activity.

The sculpture must be an original design, family-friendly, and suitable for all ages. Any medium is acceptable, but artists should consider materials that withstand desert weather conditions (high winds up to 110 mph and extreme temperatures), resist theft and vandalism, and minimize maintenance costs. The sculpture is intended for permanent display with a projected lifespan of 20-30 years. It must not be kinetic or interactive, fit within an 8' by 8' footprint, be no more than 17' in height, and weigh no more than 3,000 pounds. The sculpture must be anchored to prevent removal, tipping, breaking, or overturning due to wind, snow load, or seismic activity, and must comply with standard engineering practices. If selected, the design and installation plans must be reviewed by a California licensed engineer. Blueprints and final renderings will be required. Any welds must be completed by a C-60 licensed welder or inspected by a California licensed Certified Welding Inspector. Artwork will be evaluated to ensure it does not present a hazard to public safety.

Application requirements include artist resume, 6-10 examples of previous work with up to 2 video samples, 3 professional references, and a statement of interest. Artists must be 18 years or older and reside in California. Important dates: Applications due June 14, 2024; Artist Selection Committee meets June 17, 2024; Review completed June 21, 2024; Artist interviews June 24, 2024; Artists notified June 25, 2024; Concept design due July 8, 2024; Public Art Commission meeting July 23, 2024.