Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs Artist-Designed Bicycle Parking

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs (ARTS), in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), seeks an artist or artist team to design on-street bicycle parking. The Creative Bike Rack Program is part of the SDOT Art Plan implementation, which outlines opportunities to integrate art into transportation infrastructure for aesthetic enhancement and to celebrate the city's creativity, vision and diversity. In response to increasing demands for bicycle parking coupled with the need to keep sidewalks free for pedestrian traffic, SDOT is creating on-street bicycle parking in select areas where demand exceeds available space for sidewalk-mounted bicycle parking.

The selected artist will re-conceptualize standard bicycle parking and develop innovative and visually engaging forms. The artist will work with SDOT in the design, fabrication, and installation of bicycle parking in two to four on-street locations, coordinating throughout location selection, design, fabrication and installation phases. The artist will participate in neighborhood community-involvement events during the design phase and must adhere to design guidelines provided by SDOT to ensure the bicycle parking is both safe and functional. The total design and fabrication commission is $30,000 (inclusive of all costs and taxes).

This call is open to professional artists residing in Washington. Students are not eligible to apply. Applications must include sixteen (16) images, a letter of interest (not to exceed 2,000 characters), resume, references, and work sample identification list. Selection will be based on artistic merit and quality in concept, design, and craftsmanship; ability to design durable outdoor art; proven ability to collaborate in design teams with design professionals and community stakeholders; and demonstrated ability to complete projects on time and within budget. The selection process includes a first round review of materials, with up to four (4) artists selected for interviews approximately two weeks later. Applicants will be notified of the panel's decision by e-mail in May 2009.