Public Art Project at Westwood Family Aquatic Center, Norman, OK

Norman Arts Council on behalf of The City of Norman and Norman Forward Percent for Art is seeking an artist or team of artists to create a significant work of art for the new Westwood Family Aquatic Center in Norman, Oklahoma. The existing Westwood Pool, built in the 1960s, is part of a 132-acre multi-sport municipal facility. The new family aquatic center will include water slides, recreation pool with zero depth entry, play/spray features, lazy river, lap pool, diving area, large shaded deck, special event area, new bathhouse, concession facilities and additional parking.

The Project Team has identified three primary locations for artwork: the main west entry suitable for a freestanding piece, a 6' x 75' exterior wall of a building in the swimming complex, and a turfed area between the swimming and tennis facilities. Artists may focus on any single location or combination of sites. The Project Team is open to any media or material that is durable, safe, low maintenance and vandalism resistant. Wayfinding signage may be integrated into the artwork or designed to relate to it. The total artist's fee is $100,000.00, which must cover all associated costs including design, materials, fabrication, travel, insurance coverage, shipping and installation.

Eligibility is open to professional artists with experience working on public art projects and creating site-specific works. Submissions must include a one-page maximum letter of interest, resume (not to exceed three pages), 10 to 15 digital high-resolution images of previous work, an annotated image list sorted by desired priority of viewing, and a list of three references from public art projects. The RFQ deadline is Monday, September 26, 2016 at 5:00 pm. Three finalists will be selected for a mandatory site visit (with $250.00 allowance for transportation, hotel and per diem) and will each receive a $750.00 honorarium for creating a site-specific design proposal. The finalists will present proposals in person to the Selection Panel, with an additional $250.00 allowance for presentation travel expenses. The Selection Panel will make the final decision based on merit of work, past experience completing projects on time and within budget, appropriateness and maintenance requirements of the proposed concept, sensitivity to site and surroundings, and ability to work within the project timeline and collaborate with Westwood Pool administration. Contact Debby Williams, Norman Arts Council Percent for Art Project Manager, at 405.517.7251 or [email protected] for questions.