San Jose Co-Generation Plant Public Art Project

The City of San José seeks an artist or artist-led team to design and install public art for the new Co-Generation Facility located on Zanker Road. The facility will use methane gas produced from wastewater treatment to generate up to 14 megawatts of electrical power. The project calls for aesthetically enhancing the four 50-foot-high emissions treatment exhaust stacks through a 2-dimensional integrated approach or 3-dimensional sculptural approaches. The artwork should address education and inspiration while potentially incorporating functional energy-producing elements aligned with the city's sustainability goals.

The project budget is $300,000, allocated as follows: $45,000 for design completion through construction documentation; up to $230,000 for fabrication and installation; and a mandatory $25,000 contingency hold back. All project expenses including design, fabrication, transportation, installation, insurance, and related costs must be covered within this budget.

The design phase involves research and discussion with stakeholders and community members, followed by four steps in the public art design process: concept proposal development, schematic design proposal, design development, and construction documentation. Each step includes review and approval by City staff, community feedback, and final approval by the San José Public Art Committee and Department of Public Works. The artist or team is expected to fabricate and install the artwork, with installation and project completion targeted for August 2019. This opportunity is open to individual artists or artist-led teams working and living in the United States, at least 18 years of age, with necessary documentation to work in the U.S. Applicants must submit qualifications, work samples, and statements of interest through CaFÉ online. Eight images are required.