Waterfront Seattle: Call for Design Team Artist (East/West Connections)

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, in collaboration with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), seeks an artist or artist team to create an artwork sited upon east-west connections to the Elliott Bay waterfront. The project is funded by 1% for Art funds generated by the Union Street Project, which is connecting streets and new public spaces on Seattle's Central Waterfront. The selected artist will work with the design team, including james corner field operations and the Berger Partnership, to integrate a site-specific or site-responsive artwork into the project area. This commission will focus on Union Street, a major connection between downtown and the waterfront.

One artist or artist team will collaborate with the project design team to create an original artwork or series of artworks on the rebuilt east-west Union street between First Avenue and Alaskan Way. The selected artist may choose to work in any medium, in consultation with the design team and city staff. Sites for work may include pavements, retaining walls, new pedestrian and elevator structures, and new spaces for play and other active uses. Artwork must be durable and low-maintenance in this marine environment. The artist will join the Waterfront Seattle team in December 2013 or January 2014 and will initially be contracted for concept design only. Upon acceptance of the concept design by the Office of Arts & Culture's Public Art Advisory Committee, the Office will contract the selected artist for design development, engineering, fabrication and installation of the artwork.

One artist or artist team will be selected to receive a commission of approximately $200,000, inclusive of all fees, taxes, fabrication, delivery, installation, travel and other project-related costs. The call is open to professional artists in the United States and Canada. Applications must include a letter of interest (2,000 character limit), resume, references, and up to 16 images of work samples. Selection will be based on quality of concept, design and craftsmanship of past artworks; past experience in public, site-specific contexts, especially streetscapes or pedestrian amenities; experience working collaboratively with design professionals and community stakeholders; demonstrated ability to complete projects on time and within budget; and availability to work in a compressed timeframe. Applicants will be notified of the panel's decision by email in January 2014.