Port of Portland North Tunnel Public Art Commission

The Port of Portland is requesting statements of qualifications (SOQs) from professional artists or artist teams capable of creating a work of public art for a 1,030-foot long subterranean pedestrian tunnel at Portland International Airport (PDX). The artwork budget must not exceed $500,000, including all costs of design and fabrication. The Port intends to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to up to five respondents whose SOQs demonstrate they are highly qualified for the project.

The North tunnel is 1,030 feet long, 24 feet wide, with heights varying from 8 feet 6 inches to 11 feet. Approximately 1.9 million people per year travel through the tunnel, which is temperature controlled, carpeted, and features overhead fluorescent lighting. The artwork must be an integrated installation that creates a strong aesthetic statement, is environmentally site-integrated, durable, safe, vandal resistant, and complies with ADA requirements and public safety guidelines. The artwork must not impede passenger circulation or maintenance of existing infrastructure.

Eligibility is open to professional artists over the age of 18, internationally. SOQ submissions must include: a statement of interest (1,000 characters or less), résumé, exactly 10 digital images of previous artwork with details, an image list with project descriptions, and three professional references with contact information. Respondents must have successfully completed several large-scale public art projects, with at least one project having a budget over $100,000. SOQs must be submitted online using CaFÉ. There is no fee for artist registration or entry. The deadline for submission is May 1, 2012, 11:59 PM MST. Finalists will be notified the week of June 11, 2012, and the RFP will be issued the week of June 18, 2012.