Call Description

MADRAS, OREGON, and SURROUNDING AREA:

Located in Central Oregon, Madras offers high desert scenery and panoramic views of the magnificent Cascade mountain range with many outdoor recreation opportunities including cycling, fishing, golf, hiking, rockhounding, and water sports with winter sports just a short drive away.

The city has an exceptional aquatic center, Performing Arts Center, extensive green spaces, golf course, skate park, trail systems and a kids’ fishing pond. Nearby attractions include the Museum at Warm Springs, Erickson Aircraft Collection, the Palisades at Lake Billy Chinook, the Metolius Wild & Scenic River, Lake Simtustus, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness area, and so much more.

The community is a blend of industry, agriculture, and recreation. Our residents enjoy a variety of employment opportunities. Including manufacturing, aviation, agriculture, retail, education, tourism and health care. Madras is a caring community with significant collaboration between residents, businesses, government, service organizations and churches to provide a top-notch quality of life for all ages.

THE COLLEGE:

COCC, the oldest two-year college in Oregon, provides comprehensive college services to the residents of its 10,000-square-mile district. COCC offers two-year associate degrees, transfer/lower division programs, career and technical education degrees and certificates, developmental courses, continuing education and community learning classes, industry-specific training programs, and business management assistance. COCC is embarking on a major venture to grow the Madras campus, more than doubling its size and meeting critical needs in the region. The expansion directly addresses a shortage of health care and early childhood education workers, while also opening a child-care center to alleviate a barrier for Madras/Jefferson County families. 

COLLEGE MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES: 
For more information, click here 
 
MADRAS CAMPUS EXPANSION:  
For more information, click here

BUDGET: 

The selected finalist will receive a commission not exceeding $30,000. This includes all related expenses, such as artist fees, fabrication, insurance, shipping, travel, and project meetings for design revisions, installation, and documentation. While the College intends to acquire one (1) exterior piece, it reserves the right to consider alternate decisions as deemed appropriate.

COMMISSIONED ART LOCATION and BUILDING ELEMENTS:

The Madras Campus expansion will feature a 24,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that serves Jefferson County through four cornerstone programs: Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, and bilingual Early Childhood Education (English/Spanish). With a childcare center operated by a third party, accommodating up to 100 children, this facility is designed to foster education, innovation, and community growth, providing a space that reflects the values and diversity of the region.

The commission is for an outdoor sculptural installation to be placed along the exterior of Madras campus building 2, visible to both vehicle and foot traffic. Site will be provided as-is. Artist should review lighting prior to proposal submission to ensure that it will work for the proposed art; no additional lighting or alterations to the space is permissible. 

Please click on the "View Site Details" link towards the top of the page, under the "Apply Now" button, for an image of the location as highlighted in purple.

PROJECTED TIMELINE:

NOTIFICATION TO ARTISTS and FINALIST:  It is expected that artists will be notified by the end of March regarding the committee's selection decision. Selected top artists will be asked to present a prototype of their proposed artwork for the specific location.The finalist will be announced around mid-June. Accordingly, they will work with Campus Services to finalize necessary design modifications and installation of the artwork.

Application Requirements

PHASE 1 - APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Please submit the following via CaFE at www.callforentry.org (may use the green "Apply Now" button above). No applications will be accepted by other methods of delivery. Artists working in teams must submit under the lead artists name, with each team member contributing to the letter of interest, resume and references.

• Letter of interest not to exceed two (2) pages. Include artist’s reasons for interest in this project, and a description of relevant experience.
• Minimum of five (5) and maximum of ten (10) images of previous site-specific public work. All images must be accompanied by a description, list of mediums used, dimensions, year created, location installed.
• Professional Resume: not to exceed two (2) pages.

PHASE 2 - APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Top finalists will be provided further instructions to propose a specific design for the location which will go under review by the selection committee for a final selection.

Questions may be addressed to madrasartcall@cocc.edu.

Eligibility Criteria

All artists must be at least 18 years of age; materials submitted are authentic representations of their work.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Artistic excellence: A demonstrated commitment to high-quality, visionary work.
• Relevance: The artwork resonates with the mission of the Madras campus and reflects the local community's values.
• Experience: Proven experience in the field of public art.
• Feasibility: Demonstrated ability to design, fabricate, and install the artwork within the established project timeline and budget.
• Site suitability: Appropriateness of the artwork for the proposed site.
• Durability and Maintenance: The artwork will meet standards for long-term durability and safety, and include maintenance requirements.

The Selection Committee, comprised of COCC staff, faculty, and student representatives, will review all submittals. Three to five finalists will be selected and invited to come to the College for an interview to present proposals and prototypes, after which recommendations for award will be made to the College President.

Each of the finalists will present a proposal including design renderings of their specific piece to the selection committee. This presentation will be in person or via zoom, if needed. Finalists will submit their design renderings in advance of the meeting. The selection committee may require additional drawings. 

The Committee reserves the right to reject all submissions.