The City is in the process of converting the existing four-way stop at Avenue S-8 and 40th Street East to a roundabout as a traffic calming measure.  The primary purpose of traffic calming is to support the livability and vitality of residential and commercial areas through improvements in non-motorist safety, mobility, and comfort.  A public art sculpture will be installed in the roundabout to further enhance our environment and transform the urban landscape.  Applications will be accepted by artists residing in the State of California.

The all-inclusive budget for this project is $40,000.  The budget covers the artist fee, the stipend for the proposal design, fabrication, welding, engineering, subcontractors, equipment rentals, and any other expenses incurred and arranged by the artist in association with the design, fabrication, transportation, installation, and completion of this project.  Artist will be required to provide insurance as outlined in the agreement.  Artist will be required to obtain a current City of Palmdale business license, as required by the Palmdale Municipal Code, before beginning work on the project.  All deliveries should be Free on Board (FOB) Installation in the City of Palmdale. Artist will provide a payment bond in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price.

LINK FOR CITY OF PALMDALE BUSINESS LICENSE

When asked what residents would like the new artwork to represent, the following two themes resonated the most with members of the community who participated in the survey:

·                   Install a public art sculpture that enhances our environment and transforms the urban landscape.

·                   Reflect on our landscapes (desert, Joshua trees, yucca trees, poppies, lake).

Selected artist will receive a $450 stipend to submit a color sketch or digital image of the proposed artwork to scale. The proposals should reflect the project objectives, including theme and context within the project site, and should be respectful of the greater context of the community. Proposed artwork must be family-friendly and cannot depict sexual conduct or sexually explicit nudity nor advertise any activity illegal under the laws of California or the United States.  The Panel will select proposals that best meet the City’s objectives for this project. The Public Art Commission reserves the right to contact artists prior to final selection for clarification or expansion of their proposal.

The sculpture must be an original design and must be family friendly and suitable for viewing by all ages.  Sculpture can be of any medium, but artists should consider structural and surface soundness and materials that can withstand outside and uncovered weather conditions as well as inherent resistance to theft and vandalism.  Artwork must be constructed of durable materials that are able to withstand the harsh weather conditions of the desert (high winds up to 110 mph and extreme temperatures).  Consideration should also be given to excessive maintenance and repair costs.  The selected artist will be required to outline in their proposal their history with the material as well as the suggested maintenance schedule.  Sculpture is intended to be on permanent display and should have a projected lifespan of 20-30 years.  Sculpture should not be kinetic and should not be interactive.  Sculpture must fit within an 8’ by 8’ footprint and should be no more than 17’ in height.  Sculpture should weigh no more than 3,000 pounds.  Sculpture must be installed in a manner with sufficient anchoring to prevent the sculpture from being removed, tipped, broken or overturned due to wind, snow load, or seismic activity.  Sculpture must comply with standard engineering practices and requirements.  If selected, the artist’s design and proposed installation plans must be formally reviewed by a California licensed engineer (hired by the artist).  Blueprints and final renderings will be required, if selected.  Any welds must be completed by a C-60 licensed welder or inspected by a California licensed Certified Welding Inspector (hired by the artist).  Artwork will be evaluated to require that it does not present a hazard to public safety.

Important Dates:

June 14, 2024: Applications due

June 17, 2024: Artist Selection Committee meets

June 21, 2024: Review completed by Artist Selection Committee

June 24, 2024: Artist interviews, as required

June 25, 2024: Artists Notified

July 8, 2024: Concept design due from selected artist

July 23, 2024: Public Art Commission meeting

The City of Palmdale is located in northern Los Angeles County and lies in the Antelope Valley region of Southern California.  The City is a High Desert community sprinkled with Joshua Trees and featuring quick access to state parks and monumental desert landscapes. The San Gabriel Mountains separate Palmdale from the Los Angeles basin to the south, providing relatively quick access to the cosmopolitan amenities of Greater Los Angeles.  These characteristics and more make Palmdale an ideal place to live, work, and play, with endless possibilities to enjoy the outdoors while hiking, biking, and running.

The climate in Palmdale is very hot and dry in the summer, and chilly to cold in winter, with snowfall possible.

ARTIST RESOURCES / PALMDALE COMMUNITY:

Links regarding the community and history of the Palmdale area:

·         City of Palmdale

·         Palmdale Public Art

·         Visit Palmdale

·         Discover Palmdale

·         Local History

Application Requirements

A complete application includes the following:

·         Artist’s resume

·         6 – 10 examples of artist’s previous work and up to 2 video samples

·         3 professional references

·         Statement of interest about the project

Eligibility Criteria

The Panel will review and score submissions based on the following criteria:

·         Artists 18 years of age or older are invited to submit an individual or collaborative artist application.

·         Artist must reside in the State of California.

·         Encourage the highest level of creative engagement.

·         Select an artist whose past efforts have maintained a high level of quality.

·         Further the mission and goals of the Public Art Program and the City.

·         Identify the optimal approach that is suitable to the demands of the project.

·         Select an artist who will best respond to the distinctive characteristics of the site and the community it serves.

·         Select an artist who can work successfully as a member of an overall project team.