Springwood Park Public Art

The Springwood Park Reimagining Project creates a newly refreshed, functional park by combining past park structures that were loved by the community with needs for the future. The park retains ponds that attract migrating waterfowl in the spring and wetlands at the south end of the park. One of the existing shelters was kept and repurposed to feature a covered bench swing. Existing trails will remain and be incorporated into new additions to the park. The reimagined components of the park include a shelter structure for shade, rest, and gathering; a cooling station spray area for hot summer days; and ADA accessibility throughout the play area which includes a hill slide, a zip line, a 2-5 year-old play area, and a 5-12-year-old play area. The park redevelopment project includes two pads for functional, structural artworks. Concrete pads are 5" depth.

This selection process will consist of two rounds. In the first round, interested artists will submit a letter of interest, resume/qualifications, and images of past work examples. An artist selection panel comprised of art and design professionals and community representatives will review all eligible applicant materials. The panel will select up to three finalists to create proposals. In the second round, the three finalists will each be paid $1,500 to attend a required site visit, prepare a proposal, and present the proposal to a final selection panel. Each finalist's proposal will include a written narrative explaining the artist's intention for the work and how it will function as part of the park, visual renderings of the proposed artwork, and a budget that demonstrates allocation of the commission award. From the Round 2 presentations, one artist will be chosen to complete the project.

This call is open to both emerging and established professional, practicing artists residing in Washington state. Kent and South King County based artists are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must be 18 years or older and cannot be an employee, council member, or commissioner of the City of Kent. Application requirements include a statement of interest (short narrative explaining interest in the project and general artistic approach), up to ten images of previous work with descriptions detailing titles, dates, media, and dimensions, and a resume limited to two pages demonstrating professional history and skills or experience as a professional working artist. The total project budget is $80,000.