Call Description

The City of Corvallis invites artists to create a site-responsive work for a new Parks Maintenance Facility located within Avery Park, one of the community’s most beloved and active public spaces. This project offers a unique opportunity to situate artwork at the intersection of natural systems, public life, and the often-unseen labor that sustains shared spaces.

Set within a landscape of mature trees, gardens, and gathering places, the artwork will exist not as an isolated object but as part of a living environment encountered by visitors moving through the park and by the staff who care for it daily. Artists are encouraged to consider how their work can reflect relationships between people and place, built and natural environments, and visibility and invisibility, honoring both the beauty of the park and the stewardship that supports it.

The selection panel seeks work that is thoughtful, durable, and deeply connected to its surroundings.

CORVALLIS, OREGON

Corvallis is nestled in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley, within 90 minutes of the bustling Portland metropolitan area, the rugged beauty of the Cascade Mountains, and the spectacular Oregon Coast. Corvallis has a residential population of 60,408 and is home to Oregon State University.

The land that makes up the Willamette Valley was historically home to the Kalapuya, a diverse group of several distinct Native American tribes. They lived as hunters and gatherers, subsisting on fish and wild game from waterways and forests, and gathering nuts and berries throughout western Oregon. Locally, Kalapuya people live in Corvallis today, and many are members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz.

The Willamette Valley was the 'Eden' at the end of the Oregon Trail for the thousands who migrated to this region in the mid-19th century. Located at the confluence of the Willamette and Marys Rivers, Corvallis was described in 1874 as "...an incorporated city and county seat of Benton County, located on the west bank of the Willamette River, on a beautiful plateau one and a half miles wide, entirely above high water." The plateau upon which the city is built extends back to the foothills until it is lost in the Coast Range of mountains, which divides the Willamette Valley from the Pacific Ocean. 

The first registered claims to land in this area were two 640-acre parcels; one at the junction of the Willamette and Marys Rivers, claimed by Joseph C. Avery in 1845, the other by William F. Dixon in 1846. Originally named Marysville, Avery is credited with coining the town’s name, 'Corvallis', which he made up by combining the Latin words for 'heart of the valley'. 

AVERY PARK

Avery Park is a 55-acre historic park located on the 1845 donation land claim of city founder Joseph C. Avery. The Marys River flows around the perimeter of the park. Established in the early 20th century, it is the city's second-oldest park.

The Rose Garden area is a popular feature of Avery Park with over 250 varieties of roses, blooming from May to October. The Avery House Nature Center is located in the park, as is the Applegate Trail interpretive kiosk, a memorial honoring the historic southern alternative to the Oregon Trail. The park also includes multiple picnic shelters, unique play areas, a rhododendron garden, and an extensive horseshoe pit area that hosts an annual regional horseshoe tournament. The Corvallis Parks and Recreation Department's administrative office is also located in the park. In recent years, the park has been updated to include an all-inclusive, accessible playground. 

The new Parks Maintenance Facility will be located within this active park environment. While the facility primarily serves Parks & Recreation staff, it is situated within a highly trafficked public space used year-round by families, visitors, and community groups. 

The building has been intentionally designed to feel integrated with the surrounding landscape, nestled among existing and newly planted trees, and reflect the forms, materials, and textures of the natural environment. (See attached design renderings)

PURPOSE OF THE ARTWORK

The City of Corvallis seeks a site-responsive artwork that enhances the experience of Avery Park while reflecting the unique context of the Parks Maintenance Facility.

The selected artwork should:

●      Create a meaningful connection between people, place, and environment

●      Reflect the relationship between the built environment and the surrounding natural landscape

●      Acknowledge themes of stewardship, care, and the often-unseen labor of maintaining public spaces

●      Enhance the park experience for a broad and diverse audience, including families, children, and park visitors

●      Feel integrated into the site, as if it belongs to and emerges from the landscape

Artists are encouraged to consider how their work can contribute to a sense of discovery, reflection, or delight within the park setting.

THE ARTWORK

Location

The artwork will be located within the immediate vicinity of the Parks Maintenance Facility in Avery Park. (See attached site plan)

Key considerations for siting include:

●      Visibility from Avery Park circulation routes

●      Relationship to the building entrance and surrounding landscape

●      Integration with a site that is both staff-oriented and publicly experienced

●      Opportunities to create a work that is either:

o   A visible landmark, or

o   A more intimate, discoverable element within the park

Final siting will be determined in collaboration with the selected artist and the project team.

Acceptable Materials

Given the environmental conditions and long-term maintenance realities, artists should prioritize:

●      Durable, weather-resistant materials suitable for the Pacific Northwest climate

●      Materials that require minimal ongoing maintenance

●      Materials that take into account safety of visitors in a highly trafficked environment

●      Concepts with water elements will not be considered

●      Consideration of vandalism resistance, including anti-graffiti strategies where appropriate

Public Access and Interaction

The artwork should be designed for a public park environment and may include varying levels of interaction. The artwork should be publicly accessible and visible. The artwork should enhance the experience of a multi-generational audience, including children and families.

Artists may consider:

●      Passive interaction (e.g., visual engagement, contemplation)

●      Limited physical interaction (e.g., seating or gathering elements)

●      Designs must prioritize public safety and durability

●      Climbing or high-risk interaction should be carefully considered and clearly addressed

Safety and Environmental Considerations

The site is located within a designated natural area and requires careful environmental stewardship.

Artists must consider:

●      Protection of surrounding trees, root systems, and natural habitats

●      Avoidance of materials or finishes that may negatively impact the environment

●      Structural safety and long-term stability in an outdoor setting

●      Resistance to weathering, flooding, and seasonal conditions

Due to limited municipal capacity for maintenance, final proposals must include realistic, low-maintenance approaches, and finalists will be required to submit a maintenance plan.

BUDGET

The total artist’s fee for the project is $100,000. This amount must cover all associated costs, including design, materials, fabrication, lighting, travel, insurance coverage, shipping, and installation.

TIMELINE

RFQ Deadline: May 31, 2026

The following dates are approximate and subject to change:

Notify All Applicants of application status: July 2026

Finalists’ Site Visit: August 2026

Finalists’ Presentation of Proposals: October 2026

City Council Approval and Contract with Selected Artist: November 2026

Installation and Dedication of Artwork: Fall 2027

Selection Committee and Selection Criteria

Selection for this project will be made by a task force including stakeholders, design professionals, City representatives, member(s) of the Corvallis Arts Center Board, and a member of the arts community.

Three finalists will be selected from the respondents based on the materials submitted, and by the following:

●      Demonstrated ability to create site-specific work responsive to environmental context

●      Sensitivity to natural surroundings and park use patterns

●      Ability to create work that resonates with a diverse public audience

After a formal proposal presentation by the finalists, the selection task force will choose the best project for the site based on the merit of the artist’s work, experience, and appropriateness of the proposed concept, including the above criteria, PLUS:

●      Feasibility, durability, and appropriateness of materials

●      Consideration of long-term maintenance requirements

Artists must be able to commit to and work effectively within the project timeline and collaborate with the administration of the City of Corvallis Park and Recreation Department and the Corvallis Arts Center.

Selection Process

●      The Selection Task Force will review all applicants who respond to this RFQ.

●      Three finalists will be invited to move on in the process.

●      Finalists must attend a mandatory site visit in Corvallis to meet with the Project Team (Parks & Recreation, Project Manager, Architect, and Corvallis Arts Center leadership), as well as others.

●      Finalists will be paid a $500.00 allowance to cover transportation, hotel, and per diem expenses for the site visit.

●      After the site visit, finalists will be asked to create a site-specific design proposal that will include:

o   a scale model, maquette, or computer-generated design

o   an itemized budget

o   a project timeline

o   project narrative

o   maintenance plan

●      Finalists will each be awarded an honorarium of $1,000.00 for their proposal.

●      Finalists will present their proposals in person to the Selection Task Force and will receive a $500.00 travel stipend for transportation, hotel, and per diem expenses for the proposal presentations, or if their schedule doesn’t allow, on Zoom (no travel stipend).

●      The Selection Task Force will make the decision on the artist awarded the project, pending approval of the Corvallis City Council.

Application Requirements

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

All applications must be submitted online via the CaFÉ platform.

Submissions for this project must contain the following materials:

●      A maximum one-page typed letter of interest outlining your qualifications for and interest in the project, as well as the general idea for your approach. Please consider the following questions when developing your letter of interest:

o   Why do you want to work on this project?

o   How would you approach this project?

o   What materials do you work with that would be appropriate for outdoor use?

o   Have you worked on similar projects? If not, what relevant experiences do you have?

o   How does this project relate to your current work?

●      Resume/CV

●      Artist Bio/Statement

●      Three references with whom you have worked on a public art project, including current telephone number and email address.

●      5-8 high-resolution images of previous work you feel would support your ability to carry out this project.

●      Slide document that includes all pertinent information on your slides: title, medium, size, date of completion, location, and project details (i.e., budget, commissioning agency, etc., if public art).

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Open to professional artists in the United States with experience in public art and creating site-responsive work.

Artists from the Pacific Northwest are encouraged to apply.

Artists identifying as members of an ethnic, cultural, sexual, gender, economic, or ability minority are encouraged to apply.

For questions about this RFQ, please contact executivedirector@theartscenter.net