San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District: 24th Street Mission BART Station Public Art Commission

BART received "Transportation for a Livable Communities" funding to redesign the southwest plaza at the 24th Street/Mission BART Station. The project goal is to physically open the plaza by eliminating existing barriers such as planter boxes and railings, increasing open space for BART passengers and planned and impromptu performances, weekly artisan markets, and local food vendors.

The artwork site is the large parapet well surrounding the escalator core. The art sites include the top two faces of the parapet's coping: the face creating a 1' horizontal ledge on top and the face sloping 1'8" horizontally towards the station. The diameter of the core measures approximately 52' from the center of the coping. Artists may consider a variety of media including metal, ceramic tile, or other permanent materials requiring little to no maintenance. Electrical power is available around the core area and lighting elements may be considered, with a 5-year lifespan requirement. The public art allocation is estimated at approximately $200,000, inclusive of all costs related to design, project management, fabrication, transportation, delivery, installation, subcontractors, insurance, and other associated costs. BART will provide equipment necessary for installation.

Geographic eligibility is limited to professional visual artists residing in California. Minimum qualifications include: completion of at least two site-specific projects using permanent materials in exterior environments; experience working cooperatively with multiple professionals including architects, engineers, and community members; experience in installation or ability to oversee installation of commissioned artwork; and ability to comply with project deadlines. Applications will be pre-screened by BART, and a Selection Panel comprising BART representatives, City of San Francisco officials, arts professionals, and community representatives will review applications. Artists or artist teams with the three highest scores may be invited to develop conceptual design proposals. Finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium upon successful submission of a design concept. Project schedule: Applications due May 18, 2012; Selection Panel meets May-June 2012; Project Orientation June-July 2012; Design Proposals due September 2012; Contracts issued October 2012; Design Development and Fabrication October 2012-August 2013; Installation September 2013.