Call Description

As part of a traffic calming initiative, the City of Palmdale has replaced the four-way stops at 10th Street East with roundabouts. The primary goal of traffic calming is to enhance the livability and vitality of residential and commercial areas by improving safety, mobility, and comfort for non-motorists. To further enrich the environment and transform the urban landscape, two sculptures by the same artist will be installed in the newly constructed roundabouts. Applications are open to artists residing in the State of California.

The all-inclusive budget for this project is $110,000. This amount covers the artist’s fee, as well as costs related to fabrication, welding, engineering, equipment rentals, and any other expenses incurred and arranged by the artist in connection with the design, fabrication, transportation, installation, lodging, and overall completion of the project. The selected artist will be required to provide insurance as specified in the agreement and must obtain a current City of Palmdale business license, in accordance with the Palmdale Municipal Code, prior to commencing work. All deliveries must be Free on Board (FOB) to the installation site in the City of Palmdale. The City will retain a general contractor to manage the unloading and installation of two sculptures at the roundabouts, in accordance with the specifications outlined in the stamped engineered drawings.

LINK FOR CITY OF PALMDALE BUSINESS LICENSE

Please refer to the hyperlink below to access the sample agreement and insurance requirements.

https://www.cityofpalmdaleca.gov/Public-Art-Agreement-and-Insurance-2025

Community survey results revealed strong support for installing sculptures that are both traditional and playful at the two roundabouts. Participants overwhelmingly agreed that the artwork should reflect the character of Palmdale’s city center and honor Courson Park—Palmdale’s first and most historic park. Developed by Los Angeles County in 1963, the park was named after Melville J. Courson, a successful real estate agent and visionary pioneer who founded the Antelope Valley’s first motel in 1941 and played a role in Palmdale’s early development.

When asked what themes the new artwork should represent, two ideas resonated most strongly with survey participants:

·                   Install public art sculptures that bookend this key corridor, highlighting the heart of the city.

·                   Celebrate the local landscape, including the desert, Joshua trees, yucca trees, poppies, and lake.

Selected artist will receive a $450 stipend to submit a color sketch or digital image of the proposed artworks 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 not exceed 17 feet in height, and the sculpture’s mass should not obstruct vehicle visibility within the roundabout. 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 sculptures must be original designs that are family-friendly and suitable for viewing by all ages.  Sculptures 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.  Artworks 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.  Sculptures are intended to be on permanent display and should have a projected lifespan of 20-30 years.  Sculptures should not be kinetic and should not be interactive.  Sculptures must fit within an 8’ by 8’ footprint and should be no more than 17’ in height.  Sculptures should weigh no more than 3,000 pounds.  Sculptures 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.  Sculptures must comply with standard engineering practices and requirements.  If selected, the artist’s designs 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 inspected by a California certified welder (hired by the artist). Artwork will be evaluated to require that it does not present a hazard to public safety.

Important Dates:

September 22, 2025:                                   Applications due

September 24, 2025:                                   Artist Selection Committee meets

October 1, 2025:                                          Review completed by Artist Selection Committee

October 2, 2025:                                          Artist interviews, as required

October 6, 2025:                                          Artists Notified

October 20, 2025:                                        Concept designs due from selected artist

November 25, 2025:                                    Public Art Commission meeting

TBD:                                                               Installation of sculptures

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, to include the artist’s history and experience in sculpture design, fabrication, and installation

·         6 – 10 examples of artist’s previous work showing experience in sculpture design, fabrication, and installation

·         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.