Call Description

INTRODUCTION

Ogden City’s Public Art Program seeks to commission an individual artist or artist team, selected through a nationwide Request for Qualifications (RFQ), to design, fabricate, and install a permanent public art installation along Kiesel Avenue in downtown Ogden, Utah.

This project will utilize existing suspended cable infrastructure currently in place along Kiesel Avenue that is not actively in use. The selected artist or artist team will work closely with Ogden City Arts staff, the Ogden City Arts Advisory Committee, Community & Economic Development (CED), and project stakeholders to create a site-responsive artwork that enhances pedestrian experience, walkability, and nighttime safety through the thoughtful integration of form, materials, and, where appropriate, lightweight LED lighting.

Budget $ 120,000
Deadline: March 20, 2026

PUBLIC ART SCOPE

The Kiesel Avenue Cable Art Project will take advantage of durable, existing overhead cable infrastructure installed in 2014 as part of a corridor improvement project connecting Ogden City’s Junction retail and entertainment district to Historic 25th Street.

Ogden City is searching for an artist or artist team, that when selected might propose innovative, contemporary public art concepts that may incorporate suspended sculptural elements, kinetic components, along with a lighting-based installation. As part of the scope, artists are encouraged to consider the integration of lightweight LED lighting either as part of the artwork itself or as a complementary design element to improve nighttime illumination, enhance pedestrian safety, and strengthen walkability through Ogden’s downtown core.

This corridor plays a critical role in linking abundant public parking at The Junction to key cultural and entertainment destinations, including Historic 25th Street and the Ogden Amphitheater. The selected artwork should reinforce this connection in a pedestrian-friendly, welcoming, and visually compelling way.

The commissioned artist or artist team will be responsible for all aspects of the project, including concept and design development, coordination with structural and/or electrical engineers as required, fabrication, transportation, and installation of the artwork.

As part of the proposal and contracting process, the artist must clearly identify any anticipated long-term maintenance needs associated with the installation and provide an estimated annual cost for maintenance. Ogden City is seeking a high-quality, durable installation constructed of long-lasting materials suitable for outdoor conditions that will not require frequent, specialized, or costly ongoing maintenance.

Proposed materials and fabrication methods must be capable of withstanding exposure to weather, UV light, wind, and temperature fluctuations typical of northern Utah.

The selected artist or artist team will be asked to collaborate with the chosen artist/artists for Ogden City’s open Olympic Mural project.  The mural will be installed on the same parking garage wall where the cable system is attached.  The two installations must be complementary to each other. 

IMPACT

The Kiesel Avenue Cable Art installation is intended to reactivate a previously overlooked corridor and reinforce downtown Ogden’s identity as a vibrant, creative, and walkable urban center. The artwork will be experienced by pedestrians, commuters, residents, and visitors throughout the day and night.

By incorporating lighting and suspended visual elements, the project aims to increase perceived safety, improve pedestrian comfort, and contribute to economic vitality by strengthening connections between major downtown destinations. The installation will build upon past public investments that helped catalyze nearby redevelopment, including improvements to the historic John M. Browning Building and the Kiesel (Lotus) Building.

MEDIA & MATERIALS

Artists may propose a wide range of artistic approaches and materials appropriate for outdoor, suspended installation. Materials must be durable, low maintenance, and capable of withstanding year-round weather conditions and extreme temperature changes.

Artists must provide projects that have been fully engineered by qualified electrical and structural professionals to ensure safety, code compliance, and long-term durability. Ease of maintenance and longevity of materials will be key considerations during the selection process.

Cable engineering documents will be provided to selected artist/artist team. A maximum distributed gravity artwork load of 3 pound per lineal foot (plf) may be hung from the cables. Concentrated loads no greater than 30 lbs may be hung at a uniform spacing no greater than 10 feet on center. Asymmetric loads are not allowed.

BUDGET

Total Project Budget: $120,000

The budget for this commission is $120,000.  This contract amount is inclusive of all costs associated with the project including, but not limited to: the artist’s or artist team’s design fee, other consultation fees such as structural engineering consultations, structural/electrical engineering documents, insurance (including Utah Workers Compensation), tools, materials, etc.

Commission fees also include the costs of fabrication, transportation, permits, installation, any building or site modification required, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, a contingency to cover unexpected expenses, and any other costs. No additional costs will be reimbursed by the City of Ogden.

For all work performed on City property, prevailing wage requirements will be applied.

ESTIMATED PROJECT SCHEDULE*

*Dates subject to change

• February 2026: RFQ released following budget approval (8-week call)
• March 20, 2026: Submission Deadline
• March 2026: RFQ review and artist selection
• May 2026: Artist notification
• May-June 2026: Concept development with Arts Advisory Committee
• June 2026: Final proposal review and approvals (Legal, Streets, Risk)
• July 2026: Fabrication begins
• Late Fall/Winter 2026 or Spring 2027: Installation and ribbon-cutting ceremony

ELIGIBILITY

This project is open to artists nationally. Ogden City Arts is committed to building a public art collection that reflects a broad range of artists and perspectives and strongly encourages applicants from artists at various stages in their career stages and applicants practicing a variety of artistic discipline. Utah-based and Ogden-area artists are strongly encouraged to submit qualifications. Employees of Ogden City are not eligible to apply for this commission.

PROJECT SELECTION COMMITTEE

The Public Art Selection Committee will include voting members of the Ogden City Arts Advisory Committee, Ogden City staff, project stakeholders, and technical advisors as appropriate. This may include art professionals, artists, community members, and more.

The Ogden City Arts staff facilitates the selection panel process but are not voting members.  Other non-voting members may include staff, consultants, and/or stakeholders.  Non-voting members assist with the process and answer questions related to the overall project. 

The Selection Committee is responsible for establishing criteria, writing a request for qualifications, reviewing applications, selecting and interviewing finalists, and identifying an artist or artist team for the commission.

SELECTION PROCESS

Artists are selected through an equitable process by an artist selection panel.  The Selection Committee will evaluate all submissions and identify finalists.  Artists or artist teams may be selected to share preliminary concepts, research, and explain site integration. If selected, artists will be paid an honorarium for this work. This honorarium will be applied toward the commission amount for the artist(s) awarded the commission.

From these submissions, one artist or an artist team will be selected to create public artwork for the site. The final recommendation of the Selection Committee will be presented to the Ogden City Arts Advisory Committee and the Mayor of Ogden for final approval. All decisions of the City of Ogden are final.

The Selection Committee reserves the right to not choose any of the artists or artist teams if they are deemed unacceptable. Ogden City reserves the right to cancel this project at any time before the contracting process.

Once selected as the winning proposal, Ogden City Arts will provide as much information and access as possible to assist in the artist’s research while developing their artwork/project.

APPLICATION DELIVERY

Applications must be submitted through CaFÉ (www.callforentry.org).

Applicants will be asked to submit:

·         Letter of interest of not more than 700 words. This letter should include the artist’s reasons for interest in this project in particular. In doing so, the artist should also describe how his/her work and/or experience relates to the project. For instance, the artist may include a description of how your past work informs how you would approach this project. This letter should also include examples of past community engagement activities you have led.

·         CV/Resume- Submit a current resume (no more than two pages in PDF format) that highlights your professional accomplishments as an artist. If applying as a team, please submit one resume with one page per team member.

·         Professional References- (up to three) Provide contact information for references that have experience working with you, or in-depth knowledge of your art and working style in the public realm.

·         Ten (10) images of previous site-specific public work. All image formats must comply with the CaFE specifications and sizes.

Ogden City Arts will not be responsible for applications delayed or lost due to technical errors. Faxed or emailed applications cannot be accepted.

The Ogden City Art Selection Committee reserves the right to withhold the award of a commission or re-release the call for entries.

ABOUT OGDEN, UTAH

 

Ogden is a historic and forward-looking city where rugged mountain landscapes meet a vibrant, creative spirit. Rooted in its railroad and Indigenous histories, Ogden has long been a crossroads of cultures, ideas, and innovation. Today, the city is known for its strong commitment to public art, community engagement, and inclusive storytelling, embracing artists as essential partners in shaping meaningful, place-based experiences that reflect both its rich past and its dynamic future.

MORE INFORMATION

Please contact Ogden City Arts Administrator Lorie Buckley at loriebuckley@ogdencity.gov with questions related to this call.  Please include the artist name and contact information in all correspondence. 

Additional information about Ogden City Arts can be found here.

DEADLINE

Complete application must be RECEIVED on or before March 20, 2026, by Midnight, MDT.

Application Requirements

APPLICATION DELIVERY

Applications must be submitted through CaFÉ (www.callforentry.org).

Applicants will be asked to submit:

·         Letter of interest of not more than 700 words. This letter should include the artist’s reasons for interest in this project in particular. In doing so, the artist should also describe how his/her work and/or experience relates to the project. For instance, the artist may include a description of how your past work informs how you would approach this project. This letter should also include examples of past community engagement activities you have led.

·         CV/Resume- Submit a current resume (no more than two pages in PDF format) that highlights your professional accomplishments as an artist. If applying as a team, please submit one resume with one page per team member.

·         Professional References- (up to three) Provide contact information for references that have experience working with you, or in-depth knowledge of your art and working style in the public realm.

·         Ten (10) images of previous site-specific public work. All image formats must comply with the CaFE specifications and sizes.

Ogden City Arts will not be responsible for applications delayed or lost due to technical errors. Faxed or emailed applications cannot be accepted.

The Ogden City Art Selection Committee reserves the right to withhold the award of a commission or re-release the call for entries.

Eligibility Criteria

This project is open to artists nationally. Ogden City Arts is committed to building a public art collection that reflects a broad range of artists and perspectives and strongly encourages applicants from artists at various stages in their career stages and applicants practicing a variety of artistic discipline. Utah-based and Ogden-area artists are strongly encouraged to submit qualifications. Employees of Ogden City are not eligible to apply for this commission.