Stadium Boulevard Reconstruction Project - Public Art Installation Commission

The Ann Arbor Art Center, acting on behalf of the City of Ann Arbor, is calling for proposals by an artist or artist-led team for a commissioned, site-specific, permanent art installation. The work will be installed on elements of the streetscape along East Stadium Boulevard between Kipke Drive and South Main Street in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Submissions will be reviewed in public by committees of site stakeholders and arts professionals, with the selection process concluding in a public vote on semifinalists and final approval by Ann Arbor's City Council. The winner will be selected by December 31, 2016, and site construction is expected to begin in early 2017.

The site is along the south side of East Stadium Boulevard, a highly trafficked vehicular and pedestrian transit artery. Spaces to infuse art include new retaining walls and adjacent sidewalk and green spaces. One retaining wall peaks at 9 feet high and is 497 feet long; the other peaks at 6 feet high and is 220 feet long. The sidewalk ranges from 5 to 13 feet wide. Proposals should consider the primary viewpoint from moving vehicles and avoid overt references to sports or area educational institutions. A city seal or commemoration of the city's sponsorship must be included. The installation must not require electricity, running water, moving parts, or maintenance beyond light cleaning once every three years. Sculptural reliefs may not exceed 3 inches depth, and the work must be durable for a minimum of 20 years.

An all-inclusive budget of $100,000 is provided for all project costs including artist fee, installation, materials, engineering, shipping, and travel. Artists must submit a detailed project budget, artist statement (2-page max), visual mock-up, up to 5 images of previous large-scale or public art projects, CV, and three professional references. Eligibility is open to individuals over 18 with legal authorization to work in the United States. Artists should have experience managing project budgets and fabrication processes related to large-scale installations. The entry deadline is August 31, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Submissions require 5-10 images, and may include up to 1 audio file and 1 video file.