Seattle Streetcar Artwork

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), is seeking three artists to develop artworks for the Seattle Streetcar line connecting downtown and South Lake Union. Each artist will work independently to create site-specific artwork at one station on the streetcar line. The streetcar began running December 12, 2007 and provides local transit service along a 1.3-mile line running from Westlake (downtown) to South Lake Union, stopping every two to three blocks at 11 stations along the 2.6-mile round trip loop.

Three artists will be selected, one for each of three identified stations: Lake Union, Terry and Thomas, and Westlake Hub at Olive Way. Selected artists will work with the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, SDOT, and the community to develop and install artwork by spring/summer 2009. Station platforms are the primary artwork location, with possible opportunities to site artwork in adjacent sidewalks. Platforms vary from 10 to 15 feet wide by 80 to 115 feet long. Electricity is available at two of the three station platforms. Artists should consider the South Lake Union Streetcar Art Plan, the SDOT Art Plan, and other public art in the neighborhood. Preference will be given to artists with experience incorporating viewer interaction, light, audio, or new media into their work.

The competition is open to established professional artists living in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia. Students are not eligible. Three artists will receive commissions of $30,000 each, inclusive of all costs to design, fabricate, and install artwork at one Seattle Streetcar Station. Application requirements include 16 artwork images, a letter of interest (not to exceed 2,000 characters), resume, and references. Artists may optionally submit a DVD or VHS tape containing media samples (no more than 3 minutes). Selection will occur in two phases: a selection panel will review applications and select up to six finalists to develop proposals, then finalists will present to the panel during interviews. Each finalist will receive a $750 fee plus travel expenses. Artists will be selected based on strength and artistic merit of proposal and past works, ability and experience creating durable outdoor site-specific artwork, and contribution to the diversity of the city's art collection. Notification is anticipated by June 2008. Contact Patricia Hopper, Public Art Project Manager, at 206-684-7311 or [email protected].