Request for Qualifications: Placemaking Sculpture

TriMet is seeking a professional artist or artist team to create a permanent, site-specific sculpture for the Gresham Central Transit Center in Gresham, Oregon as part of the MAX Blue Line Station Rehabilitation Project. The sculpture will be sited near the corner of NE Hood Ave and NE 8th Ave at the far west end of the westbound MAX platform. The commission budget is $110,000, with $22,000 allocated for design fees and $88,000 for fabrication. The commission covers all project expenses including artist fees, community outreach, presentations, design, structural engineering, materials, fabrication, insurance, travel, and contingency.

The sculpture must be durable, vandal resistant, and low maintenance, with a strong vertical emphasis that does not create seating or restrict sightlines. Though the sculpture must stand alone, the commission includes the opportunity to create a schematic design for the adjacent triangular-shaped plaza, which could include related sculptures. As a placemaking sculpture, the design should reflect a contemporary, forward-thinking aesthetic and incorporate civic engagement that builds connection within the community and to the site. Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the site before applying.

Eligible applicants are professional, practicing artists or artist teams living in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Nevada, and British Columbia. If applying as a team, at least one member must meet the eligibility requirement. Artwork must be fabricated in the United States. Applications must include a statement of interest (2000 characters or less), up to ten images of past work with details, up to one video of past work (no longer than 1 minute), and a one-to-two page résumé/bio as a PDF including address, phone, email, web address, biography, professional accomplishments, and two professional references. The application deadline is December 1, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Finalists will be selected by December 11, 2019, with concept proposals due March 11, 2020 and final designs due May 13, 2020. Fabrication is scheduled for June 2020 through April 2021, with delivery and installation in May-June 2021.