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Budget: $56,000 for design, presentation to multiple boards and commissions, presentation to City Council, materials and fabrication, and installation supervision/direction.

Deadline: September 11, 2020

Description:

The City of Kirkland in collaboration with the Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission and Kirkland Park Board, invites artists or artist teams to submit proposals for site-specific outdoor public art to be placed at 132nd Square Park, a popular 9.75 acre community park located in Kirkland, WA.
The art installation may consist of one or more elements and should reflect the park’s natural beauty as well as the diverse neighborhood community that uses the park. In addition, this public art is part of a 1% Capital Improvement Project to redesign and make improvements to the park. The public art should therefore complement the new design and enhancements specified in the 132nd Square Park Design Documents.
Eligibility Requirements: This project is open to all artists residing in the United States who have the background, experience and reputation for completing outdoor art installations of this scope.

Artists should consider the following characteristics:

• Appropriate for the surrounding family focused uses
• Integral to park site in theme, materials and scale
• Consists of free-standing or individual elements
• Reflect the diverse neighborhood community that uses park
• May be a mural, mosaic, or incorporated into a bench, wall, or wayfinding elements

The proposed art must fulfill the following:

• Fabricated in permanent, outdoor media and meets or exceeds standards for structural integrity and durability
• Low maintenance, weather, vandal and graffiti resistant
• Meets or exceeds standards for public safety
• Suitable for public viewing by all ages

The public art will be revealed at a community event to celebrate the reopening of 132nd Square Park at the completion of the park improvements, estimated for Spring 2022.

Background:

One percent (1%) for Art is assessed on capital improvement projects (CIP) that are undertaken by the City of Kirkland. The Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission (KCAC) together with City departments manages the design and development of art that is integrated into City projects and approved by City Council. The Art Committee is composed of members from KCAC and Fire Department personnel.

City

The City of Kirkland has expanded geographically several times since its founding in 1905. Most recently, a 2011 annexation added 33,000 residents to the City for a current total of approximately 85,000. (The area where the 132nd Square Park is located was included in this annexation.) The City is known for its Lake Washington waterfront parks and lively downtown, as well as a high concentration of technology workers. Kirkland’s population has become more diverse since the last census, with significant increases of foreign-born residents. The City’s three secondary languages are Spanish, Russian, and Chinese, with several other languages represented in the resident population.

Overall Park Improvements

The 132nd Square Park, located at 13159 132nd Avenue NE, covers 9.75 total acres, with a project area of 6.9 acres in the Evergreen Hills area of NE Kirkland. It is bounded by NE 132 Street (north), 132 Avenue NE (east) and residential developments (west and south). The overall park project, of which this art installation will be a part, is partially funded by the Washington State Department of Ecology to provide a stormwater facility. Improvements to the park include: synthetic grass and lighting on the athletic field; expanded parking lot; new restrooms, new playground and picnic shelters; and revitalized walking trails. An extant reflexology feature will be relocated and a labyrinth will be added.

Public Art and Park Setting

The 132nd Square Park is a beloved community resource. The upgraded facilities, particularly the improved athletic field, will expand the park’s functionality, drawing visitors from a larger area of Kirkland. The park is located in a culturally diverse area with roots in Native American (Duwamish) history and significant immigrant populations. The proposed public art should honor the park’s history and its natural beauty as well as reflect the current pluralism of the community. The art project should be compatible with the modern immigrant experience and Kirkland’s open and inclusive spirit.

Proposed Sites for Public Art

Artists will select one or more of these proposed sites within 132nd Square Park grounds for public art installation. These sites were chosen as they are near family recreation facilities, are relatively flat and are accessible by ADA compliant pathways.

1) Near Restrooms
2) Next to Picnic Shelters
3) Along Pathways
4) Near or part of the labyrinth

Artist Selection Process:

The Art Committee will review responses to the RFQ and recommend finalist(s) to the Cultural Arts Commission for recommendation to the City Council. The Committee reserves the right to select three finalists for this opportunity. The Committee also reserves the right to not select any artists. Artists will be expected to provide written qualifications, examples of prior work that corresponds with this project, and be available for an interview.

Submittal:

• 1 page letter of interest including vision statement describing why you should be considered for this opportunity, and how your vision addresses this specific public art call. You may include preferred site(s) for art installation with broad stroke concept ideas.
• 3-5 digital images of your current work that is most relevant to this project, format and sized small enough to be able to be emailed.
• Three references for outdoor public art projects that you have completed successfully

Finalist Selection Criteria:

• Comparable work developing a series of concepts reflective of city agency.
• Demonstrated ability to complete permanent public artworks on time and on budget.
• Demonstrated ability to research and study the community to develop art that is uniquely of the community.
• Ability to integrate interpretive elements in infrastructure.
• Ability to work with engineers, contractors and a diverse project team.
• Ability to meet project timeline

Please visit our website to learn more about this opportunity including park schematics! https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/Finance_and_Administration/doingbusiness/BusinessOpportunities.htm.

https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/Finance_and_Administration/doingbusiness/BusinessOpportunities.htm

Opportunity Website

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