Sculptural Screen Wall and Campus Entry Sculpture - Public Works Campus in Bend, Oregon

The City of Bend in partnership with Art in Public Places (AiPP) invites professional artists to apply for a public art commission for the new Public Works Campus in Bend, Oregon. The commission includes a large-scale Sculptural Screen Wall located at the south boundary of the campus along NE Cooley Boulevard and a smaller-scale Campus Entry Sculpture located at the main entrance near NE Talus Place. Both works of art should be related to one another, sharing materials and inspiration. The project timeline is 2024-2025 with a total budget of $300,000.

The Sculptural Screen Wall will run approximately 250 feet along the public street edge, with a height between 10 and 15 feet that can vary. It serves as both a sculptural element and a visual screen of internal public works storage yards from public street view. The Campus Entry Sculpture will be a smaller-scale element that relates to and connects with the screen wall. Artists are encouraged to draw inspiration from the contributions of Public Works departments, the Native history of the location, or the natural environment and topography of Central Oregon. The works should be abstract and understandable from a vehicular perspective while resonating with both campus workers and the public.

Materials must be durable to weather and UV conditions in Oregon. The project team has envisioned corten or rusted steel sheets, panels, pipes, or slats similar to the campus building facades, though artists may propose alternative solutions. The maximum project budget of $300,000 includes stamped engineering drawings, permitting, fabrication, subcontractors, installation, delivery, insurance, and travel expenses. The City of Bend and AiPP actively encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQIA+ artists, and value participation from local artists. Application deadline: May 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Finalists will be notified mid-to-late May 2024, with design time and site visits occurring June to mid-July 2024.