Shuffletown Sportsplex Public Art Commission - Charlotte, NC

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department is commissioning public art for the new Shuffletown Sportsplex, a multi-sport complex being developed on the former Shuffletown Drag Strip on Highway 16 North in Charlotte, NC. The County owns 49 acres for this park and may acquire additional acreage. Three million dollars in park bonds approved in 2004 are allocated to develop this park. In addition to tournament quality athletic facilities, the project includes hiking trails, an off-leash dog park, grandstands adjacent to athletic facilities, and a pavilion with meeting spaces.

This project is open to national and regional artists. Site opportunities have not been determined and are open to discussion by the project design team. Three-dimensional work, site-specific installations, and designs appropriate to youthful audiences will be considered. The project budget is $72,000. An Artist Selection Panel will review applications and recommend finalists for approval by the Public Art Commission and the Board of the Arts & Science Council. The selection panel will meet in fall 2006, with an artist commissioned by early 2007. Construction is planned to begin in spring 2007.

Applicants must submit: an artist's statement (maximum 2000 characters) outlining background and qualifications; a current professional resume including public art experience with past project budgets; an annotated image list with dimensions, number of images, date of execution, title, descriptive notes, media, and location; and a list of four professional references. No original artwork, photographic prints, maquettes, or other physical materials will be accepted. Applications primarily consisting of gallery-scale work or digitally produced proposals will not be accepted. Artists who have received a commission or purchase for over $25,000 cannot be considered for another commission or purchase for three years after the date of a signed contract. ASC staff, County or City staff, Public Art Commission members, or their immediate families are not eligible.