Call Description

Project Overview

The City of Alexandria's Public Art Program is commissioning public art for the northern extension of Potomac Yard Park—a newly constructed city park adjacent to the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus. This initiative aims to introduce compelling, site-specific artwork that reflects the site's context and history, attracting both residents and visitors to the Potomac Yard Innovation District. The goal is to create dramatic, visually engaging, and unique art installations that foster an interactive environment for people of all ages.

A successful project will celebrate one or more of the following themes: the relationship between our past and the future; the spirit of innovation, technology, and creativity; growth; and inspiring the future. Additionally, the artwork should encourage interaction, continued use, gathering, and community participation within the park.

The selected artist or artist team will collaborate with the project team—including Public Art Program managers, the Public Art Task Force, the Alexandria Commission for the Arts, residents, and stakeholders—to develop a design that integrates seamlessly into the existing linear park. This park features multiuse trails and environmental elements. The selected artist is expected to attend public meetings in collaboration with the project team. Upon approval of the final concept design, the artist will oversee the fabrication and installation of the public art. The project is anticipated to begin in 2025.

Potomac Yard is a community located in the northeast of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, and includes a planned Innovation District that takes advantage of its proximity to a major airport and diverse industries near the nation’s capital. Virginia Tech serves as the Innovation District’s anchor, which along with other anchors, attracts leading institutions, companies, start-ups, and organizations.

For more information about the project and area, please review the Public Art Project Plan. 

Budget

The project budget, inclusive of design, fabrication, and installation may not exceed $300,000.

Project Goals

The program goals of the project are to:

• Bring exciting new artwork to Alexandria that is informed by the context and history of the site.
• Celebrate one or more of the following themes: the relationship between our past and the future; the spirit of innovation, technology, and creativity; growth; and inspiring the future.
• Attract residents and visitors to the park to experience dramatic, visually compelling, and unique work(s) of art.
• Provide an interactive environment for people of all ages that encourages continued use, gathering, and community participation at the park.
• Provide high-quality art experiences that elevate the user experience in the park and addresses its unique physical characteristics as a linear park.

Scope 

• Public art will be incorporated into the recently developed north extension of Potomac Yard Park.
• The selected artist or artist team will work with the City to develop plans for one or more pieces of public art within the park.
• The location(s) for the artwork will be determined in consultation with the City following a site visit by the selected artist/artist team.
• The selected artist/artist team will be required to be onsite to participate in community engagement arranged by the City of Alexandria.
• The artist/artist team will be required to meet regularly with representatives of the City to coordinate on the project development. Progress meetings may occur virtually.
• Depending on the design, the artist/artist team may be required to obtain professionally certified drawings prior to final approval of the public art by the City.
• The project will utilize donated developer funds and the project budget is all inclusive, including funding for research, travel, design, fabrication, and installation.
• The selected artist/artist team may work with the City and the community to consider a daytime and nighttime experience. The park’s hours are currently 5am-10pm

Selection and Review Process

Submittals will be reviewed by a Task Force comprised of representatives from the Alexandria Commission for the Arts, community stakeholders and project stakeholders. 

Artist Selection Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Artistic merit of body of work.
• Prior public art experience.
• Experience working with communities to design engaging artwork.
• Experience in collaborating with City staff, stakeholders, and design and engineering professionals
• Appropriateness of qualifications for the project.
• Effective communication and organizational skills.
• Probability of successful execution of the project.

Additional Information

• Artists can submit up to two applications (one as an individual and one as a team).
• Selected artists will be required to sign a contract with the City of Alexandria.
• Selected artists may be required to obtain a Certificate of Insurance for general liability coverage for the fabrication and installation of the public art.

Additional Resources

Two approved plans guide the arts in Alexandria: 

• Public Art Implementation Plan
• Arts and Culture Master Plan

Application Requirements

To apply, please include: 

• a brief letter that describes your interest in the project, how your public art approach aligns with the project goals, and the role community engagement plays in your work.
• works samples including projects of a similar scope and/or budget as the project.
• a CV/resume.
• the names, titles, phone numbers, and email addresses of 3 -5 references.

Please do not send specific proposals at this time.

Eligibility Criteria

Artists must be 18 years or older to apply and have prior public art experience.