Public Art for Black Wall Street Gardens

The City of Durham is seeking a professional artist or artist team to create a permanent public art installation for Black Wall Street Gardens, a renovated greenspace at 102 West Main Street in downtown Durham. The greenspace improvements include pedestrian path lighting, 8 shade trees, landscaping enhancements, and a reconfigured brick paver walkway forming a central gathering area with movable seating, tables, benches, and porch-style swings.

Artist(s) must create work inspired by one or more of the following themes: Inclusivity, Diversity, Community, Activism, Creativity, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Progress. Permanent art is defined as visual art including sculptures, murals, photographic renderings, mosaics, lighting and electronic art installations visible from public streets and pedestrian walkways, free of admission. The selected artist or team will lead community engagement sessions, collaborate with the City on final design, oversee fabrication and installation, and submit a maintenance plan. The total project budget is $50,000, covering all fees, materials, equipment, labor, permits, insurance, taxes, travel, installation, shipping, identification plaque, and documentation.

Eligibility is open to professional artists and designers age 18 or older eligible to work in the United States. Non-North Carolina-based artists must engage in at least one capacity-building partnership with a local or regional artist or artist team. Submission deadline is September 10, 2018 at 11:59 PM MST via callforentry.com. Required materials include a statement of interest, 10 work sample images representing up to 5 completed projects with accompanying summaries, résumés for each team member, and three professional references or recommendation letters. Selection will be based on aesthetic excellence, community engagement experience, materiality, and project management ability. Finalist interviews are anticipated for September 2018, with selected artist notification in October 2018.