Project Description

The City of Kent’s Sculpture Gallery is a juried, two year-long exhibition located in the newly renovated greenways along the north and south sides of Willis Street near the 4th Avenue roundabout. Two sculptures will be showcased along pedestrian pathways at this busy intersection that serves as a gateway to downtown Kent.

Stipend and Scope of Work

Selected artists will receive a $3,000 loan contract. The artist is responsible for transportation and installation of the artwork. (The city will provide some installation assistance.) The artwork will be insured by the city for the time the sculpture is on display, but not insured for any damage incurred during installation or deinstallation. The city will provide signage to identify the artwork and artist. The city will also promote the exhibit on The City of Kent’s website, via social media, and in printed materials.

 Purchases

At the conclusion of the exhibition, the selection committee and Arts Commission may select a sculpture or sculptures to be purchased for inclusion in the City of Kent’s permanent collection. This decision will be made spring/summer 2025 The maximum purchase budget is $10,000. There will also be a “People’s Choice” vote held online throughout the duration of the exhibition. The winning sculptor will receive a “$1,000 People’s Choice Prize.”

Artwork Specifications

Artwork must be durable and suitable for outdoor locations. Works must be able to withstand the elements, as well as interaction with pedestrians. Consideration will be given to both existing sculpture and artwork proposals. (Proposed work should be submitted with a sketch or illustration of the proposed piece and examples of existing work that demonstrates artistry and durability.) Artwork should add interest and vibrancy to the site and may include representational or abstract elements.

Artwork Location

There are two artwork pedestals on pathways just east of the Willis Street/4th Avenue roundabout. One pedestal is on the south side of Willis Street, and one is on the north side. Sculpture placement will be assigned by City staff.

Design Parameters

-Artwork can be welded or bolted onto a steel plate that is attached to a concrete pedestal. The concrete pedestals cannot be drilled into for the installation of the artwork. Artists must provide their own steel plate to fit on the surface of the pedestal, as well as a neoprene pad as indicated on the pedestal drawing.

-Pedestals are placed directly on sidewalks and must conform to the following guidelines for pedestrian safety: Artwork must not weigh more than 5,000 pounds; from base of sculpture to 7’ in height, the artwork must be no wider than 3’8” to ensure adequate pedestrian passage; From 7’ to 12’ in height, the sculpture can be a maximum of 5’ wide.

 Artist Responsibility

-Artist is responsible for transporting artwork to and from the installation site.

-Artist is responsible for logistics of installation and moving the sculpture from the vehicle to the pedestal. Any equipment required must be provided by the artist.

-Artist will provide detailed installation instructions and work alongside city staff to secure the artwork to the pedestal.

-Artist must provide a steel plate and neoprene pad to fit on the surface of the concrete pedestal.

-Artist is responsible for demonstrating that the work will be structurally sound, safe, and suitable for exhibition in the public realm, and meet all the specifications and design parameters.

-Artist will be responsible for any necessary repairs due to build-quality of the artwork during the exhibition.

-Artist will be required to sign a loan agreement and comply with the terms of that agreement and those set forth in this RFP.

Evaluation/Selection Process

A Selection Panel including representatives from the Kent Arts Commission, professional artist(s), a city councilmember, and community representative(s) will review the submitted proposals.

Selection Criteria

-Complete qualifications submitted prior to the application deadline.

-The Artist’s body of work reflects artistic excellent, innovation, and originality.

-The Artist’s work evidence technical competency

-Suitability for the site, including aesthetic content and public safety

-Ability to attach to existing pedestal (2’ square and 18” in height) and fit within size parameters

-Durability to withstand weather and interaction in a public area, ability to remain maintenance-free for the duration of the exhibition.

-Demonstrate structural soundness, safety, and stability.

-The Artist has adequate professional experience to meet the demands of the project, including a combination of: Education and training as an Artist; an exhibition record in museums, galleries, and/or non-profit art spaces; previous public or private commissions; or other related activities indicative of a professional art practice.

-Ability to meet project deadlines and to perform work in a timely and professional manner.

Timeline:

Announcement of Call to Artists: May 2023

Application deadline: June 30, 2023, 10:59 pm (PDT)

Selection panel: July

Approval of selected artists by Kent Arts Commission: August 9, 2023

Notify and contract with selected artists: August 2023

Installation of sculptures: October 2023

Deinstallation of sculptures: September 2025

Application Requirements

All Artists are required to submit their qualification in the format specified below by June 30, 2023, 10:59 p.m. (PDT) Qualification materials include:

1. Artist’s Statement

2. Current resume or CV (PDF)

3. Digital images per sculpture: 3 maximum, 1 minimum

          -Up to five sculptures can be submitted for consideration

          -.jpg files only in format required by CaFE

-.jpg files should be saved “lastname_artworktitle1.jpg.”, “lastname_artworktitle2.jpg” and so on.

4. Artwork details as outlined in CaFE upload process, including title, media, dimensions, date

* Only qualifications submitted through CaFE will be reviewed.

Applicants are responsible for all costs incurred in preparing or responding to this request for qualifications. All materials and documents submitted become the property of the City and will not be returned.

Qualifications will not be accepted after the June 30, 2023, 10:59 p.m. (PDT) deadline.

For questions about the opportunity, email rbillerbeck@kentwa.gov

Eligibility Criteria

This call is open to professional artists or artist teams over the age of 18 residing in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana). Each artist may submit up to five (5) sculptures for consideration.