Transit Center Grade Separation and Access Project - Public Art Commission

The City of Mountain View seeks to commission an artist or team of artists to design and execute original artwork for the Transit Center Grade Separation and Access Project. This project will improve safety, capacity, and multimodal access to the Transit Center and Downtown Mountain View, focused on the Castro Street/Moffett Boulevard/Central Expressway intersection and the Castro Street crossing of the railroad tracks. A main aspect of the project is the construction of an undercrossing for pedestrians and cyclists to facilitate passage between the north side of Central Expressway and the Moffett Boulevard community.

The total Public Art Project Budget is $400,000 for up to two art installations. The selection process is two-part: no more than six artists will be invited to develop proposals and receive a Design Honorarium of $1,500 per artist. The VAC will then select final artists for City Council consideration. The project budget is all-inclusive of artist fees and expenses, taxes, materials, permit fees, travel, shipping and crating, insurance, permitting, site preparation, and fabrication/installation. The VAC is open to multiple artists and/or locations, and artists may apply individually or as a team. Two possible locations have been identified: the upper concourse area (estimated $100,000-$150,000) and the undercrossing tunnel and Castro Street Stairwell (estimated $250,000-$300,000).

This Request for Qualifications is open to all professional and emerging artists residing in California over the age of 18. Bay Area artists are encouraged to apply. Artists must demonstrate successful completion of similar works. Applications must be submitted online via www.callforentry.org by April 5, 2023 at 12:00 noon PST. Only the first 100 applications will be accepted. Applications should include artist resumé, signed application checklist, five to seven images of artwork completed within the past five years with annotated descriptions, minimum two professional references, and a one to two page letter of interest outlining qualifications, relevant experience, and approach to the project. A rough sketch of proposed design is optional. Construction is expected to begin in 2024, with artwork installation expected in early to mid-2027.