Seattle City Light Denny Substation Artwork Project

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with Seattle City Light (SCL), is seeking an artist or artist team to work as a member of the Denny Substation design team to develop permanent artwork for SCL's new substation. The artist will work closely with SCL and other project design team members to develop artwork to be integrated with the new facility. In addition to developing permanent artwork, the artist or artist team will work with the design team and SCL to develop proposals for additional opportunities for artworks by other artists that can be incorporated in and around the new facility.

The selected artist or artist team will work with SCL, the substation design consultant and community members to develop permanent artwork that connects the new substation to the surrounding South Lake Union community. The artist/artist team is expected to develop artwork that will create a strong presence responsive to the surrounding community and reinforce the public nature and essential function of the station. The artist will design, fabricate and install the artwork on a timeline that parallels the substation's construction. The selected artist or artist team should have the ability to understand architectural plans and an interest in working cooperatively with design professionals, city staff and community members. Artists should have experience working within the public process, in public settings, as well as a proven ability to fabricate their own work or to work with fabricators and installers.

The call is open to established professional artists residing and eligible to work in the United States. Artists may apply as a team of no more than two. Students are not eligible to apply. The total budget for the artist or artist team to complete the artwork project is $300,000. The selected artist will receive a design contract for $60,000 to develop site-integrated artwork and additional artwork opportunities. If the permanent artwork design proposal is accepted, the artist will receive a subsequent contract for $240,000 to fabricate and install the artwork. Applications must be submitted digitally through CaFÉ and include a letter of interest (not to exceed 2,000 characters), résumé, three references, and up to 16 images with an Image Identification List (not to exceed 500 characters for each image).