District Entry Artwork: Historic Downtown Plano Arts District

The City of Plano is seeking an artist or artist-led team to design & fabricate permanent District Entry Artwork that serves as a beacon for the Historic Downtown Plano Arts District at the northeast corner of G Ave. and 15th St.

About the Project

The City of Plano is commissioning a permanent District Entry Artwork to mark entry into the Historic Downtown Plano Arts District at the northeast corner of G Ave. and 15th St. The artwork should function as a landmark-quality beacon and be visually strong during the day and at night.

The site includes a landscape bed with established trees and shrubs maintained by the City’s Parks division, and an existing monument feature that will be removed. The area immediately northeast of the landscape bed is a privately owned church parking lot. The northwest corner of the intersection is City-owned, and City services operate at 777 E 15th St. The intersection is active, and traffic and sightlines must be considered in the artwork’s placement and form.

The artwork must be compatible with Downtown Plano’s historic period of focus, 1890 to 1936, through form, materials, detailing, and overall character. Compatibility does not require the overall artwork to imitate historic architecture or design details. Creative and contemporary interpretations are encouraged, provided the artwork demonstrates an understanding of the district's period of focus and reinforces its sense of place and heritage. It must permanently incorporate the words Heritage, Arts District, and Downtown Plano. It must look good during the day and at night, but it cannot be backlit or internally lit. The design must deter birds from nesting or roosting and must be durable and low maintenance for a permanent outdoor streetscape environment.

This call is for the artwork concept and artist-led fabrication plan. Site demolition, foundations, utilities, and landscaping will be performed by a separate contractor. Finalists and the selected artist must clearly communicate overall dimensions and weight, anchoring and attachment requirements, and installation needs so the site contractor can prepare the foundation and interface conditions

Selection Process

·         A Selection Committee consisting of a member of the Downtown Public Improvement District, Heritage Commission, Cultural Arts Commission, a Downtown business owner and a Downtown resident  will review all applicants.

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

·         Finalists must attend a mandatory site visit in Plano, Texas to meet with the Project Team (Parks & Recreation, Heritage Preservation Officer, Engineering and Special Projects, Traffic), as well as others.

·         Finalists will be paid $1,000 to cover travel and their proposal for the finalist round

·         After the site visit, finalists will be asked to create a site-specific design proposal. See Phase 2 for the submission requirements.

·         The City Council will make the final decision on the artist selection with a recommendation from the Selection Committee.

Phase 1

1) Images (Work Samples)- Upload at least 5 images of completed projects you designed and fabricated (preferably outdoor work or comparable scale).
For each image:

• Title, year, location
• Materials and fabrication method
• Approximate dimensions (and weight if known)
• Your role
• Installation method summary (anchoring, lifting, assembly)
• One sentence on durability and maintenance
• One sentence on how the work recognized or respected historic context

2) Resume- include a current resume or CV

3) Artist Bio-  include a short bio. If a team, include a short bio for each team member.

4) Letter of Interest / Experience Statement, include: 

• Your experience delivering fabricated work from concept through installation
• Experience coordinating with contractors, engineers, or public agencies
• How you approach durability, low maintenance, and public-facing conditions
• Any experience working in historic districts or culturally significant places

Phase 2: Finalists

The Selection Committee will  narrow down the submissions and ask 3 to 5 artists to submit their concepts.

1. Concept drawing package
   • At least one overall concept drawing or rendering with dimensions
   • A daytime view and a nighttime view.
   • A short description of materials, finishes, and how the required wording is integrated and readable.
2. Fabrication and installation outline
   • A fabrication plan describing materials, fabrication method, finish system, and quality control.
   • A proposed schedule that includes design finalization, engineering coordination as needed, fabrication milestones, shop time, finishing, delivery, and on-site installation.
   • A clear description of the installation method and what the site work contractor must provide before installation.
   • Maintenance schedule and plan

Submissions will be evaluated on:

• Artistic strength and landmark presence as a district beacon.
• Compatibility with the 1890 to 1936 historic period of focus.
• Integration and readability of the required wording.
• Durability, low maintenance approach, and bird deterrence strategy.
• Feasibility of fabrication and clarity of installation requirements for coordination with the site work contractor.

The selected artist will be required to refine the concept to a buildable design and coordinate with the City’s project team and the site work contractor. Final fabrication and installation requirements must be communicated in a form the contractor can build from, including anchor details and installation sequencing.

This call is open to professional artists and artist-led teams nationwide. You should have experience designing and fabricating permanent outdoor work, and the ability to see a project through from concept to installation. Experience coordinating with contractors, engineers, or public agencies is a plus, as is work in historic districts or other places with cultural significance. Teams are welcome. If you apply as a team, name a lead artist who will be the main point of contact.