Springwood Park Public Art

The City of Kent Arts Commission invites artists to submit responses to this Call for Artists for a public art project at Springwood Park (12700 SE 274th St.) on Kent’s East Hill. The selected artist will create functional structural art for two locations in the park.

The selected artist will design, fabricate, and oversee installation of two freestanding artworks. The artist will be required to demonstrate how the proposed pieces contribute to users’ overall experience of the park.

The Project budget is $80,000 – Inclusive of design, fabrication, installation, documentation, travel, WA sales/use tax, and all association costs.

Background

The Springwood Park Reimagining Project creates a newly refreshed, functional park by combining past park structures that were loved by the community with needs for the future. The park retains ponds that attract migrating waterfowl in the spring and wetlands at the south end of the park. One of the existing shelters was kept and repurposed to feature a covered bench swing. Existing trails will remain and be incorporated into new additions to the park. The reimagined components of the park include a shelter structure for shade, rest, and gathering; a cooling station spray area for hot summer days; and ADA accessibility throughout the play area which includes a hill slide, a zip line, a 2-5 year-old play area, and a 5-12-year-old play area. The park redevelopment project includes two pads for functional, structural artworks. Concrete pads are 5” depth; see Exhibit A/site plan for locations and dimensions.

Selection Process

This selection process will consist of two rounds. In the first round, interested artists will submit a letter of interest, resume/qualifications, and images of past work examples. An artist selection panel comprised of art and design professionals and community representatives will review all eligible applicant materials received from this open call. The panel will select up to three finalists to create proposals.

In the second round, the three finalists will each be paid $1,500 to attend a required site visit, prepare a proposal, and present the proposal to a final selection panel. Each finalist’s proposal will include 1) A written narrative explaining the artist’s intention for the work and how it will function as part of the park, 2) visual renderings of the proposed artwork, and 3) a budget that demonstrates allocation of the commission award. From the Round 2 presentations, one artist will be chosen to complete the project.

1. Statement of interest: A short narrative explaining interest in the project and general artistic approach.

2. Images: Limited to ten (10) images of previous work, with descriptions detailing the titles, date, media, and dimensions of the artworks.

3. Resume: Limited to two (2) pages. Demonstrate professional history and skills, or experience as a professional working Artist.

This call is open to both emerging and established professional, practicing Artists residing in Washington state. Kent and South King County based artists are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must be 18 years or older. (Applicants cannot be an employee, council member, or commissioner of the City of Kent.)