Riverboxes 20th Anniversary Commission

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of RiverboxesTM, Dublin Arts Council (DAC) is seeking to commission five Ohio-based artists to create original site-specific, permanent interactive public artworks to serve as “Riverbox” vessels as part of DAC’s RiverboxesTM program. 

Each Riverbox will include an artist-designed stamp and logbook that supports site-based exploration. DAC will develop publicly accessible location clues and interpretive materials via the RiverboxesTM passport to support community engagement, exploration, and repeat visitation.

Since 2007, RiverboxesTM has grown into a one-of-a-kind public art program located across parks in Dublin, Ohio. Each Riverbox is a unique artist-designed vessel containing an original stamp and logbook, encouraging exploration of public space through play, discovery, and storytelling. This beloved public art program is inspired by letterboxing and geocaching. Each Riverbox has its own inspiration/theme and story: https://www.dublinarts.org/riverboxes

RiverboxesTM continue to demonstrate strong community engagement, averaging approximately 5,000 participants annually. In response to sustained public interest and Dublin’s continued downtown development, DAC is expanding the RiverboxesTM program through this new multi-site commission series.

The 20th anniversary RiverboxesTM may respond to themes of connection, movement, landscape, and civic identity, reflecting Dublin’s evolving downtown and park systems.

Dublin Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging the community, cultivating creativity, and fostering lifelong learning through the arts. Dublin Arts Council was established in 1983 and began its Art in Public Places Program in 1988. DAC will award the commission and administer the project. 

GOALS

• RiverboxesTM will be installed across multiple park and civic sites selected in coordination with the City of Dublin Parks & Recreation Department.
   
• The RiverboxesTM will engage participants of all ages with public art, letterboxing and geocaching while encouraging creative, repeat engagement with public space.
   
• The completed artworks will increase engagement with Dublin parks and civic spaces through interactive, site-based public art experiences.
   

BUDGET

Each selected artist will receive a $5,000 all-inclusive commission. Payment will be issued in two installments: upon contract execution and upon installation.

PROJECT TIMELINE

October 28, 2026                   Call issued

December 16, 2026               Artist selection/contract execution

Jan TBD 2027                        Site visits 

Jan/Feb, 2027                        Concept development

Feb 16, 2027                          DAC / City of Dublin provides feedback to artist(s)

  Feb 16-March 31, 2027          Fabrication

  March 31, 2027                      Stamp and materials submission

April TBD, 2027                      Installation

May/June TBD, 2027              Public launch event

CRITERIA

• RiverboxesTM may be created in a range of durable, weather-resistant materials appropriate for year-round outdoor installation.
• Recommended materials include:
  • weather-treated wood
  • steel or other weather-resistant metals
  • stone
  • durable ceramics or composites
• Each Riverbox must accommodate a standard DAC-provided weather-resistant container (minimum 9” x 6” x 5”) housing the artist-designed stamp and logbook.
• The size of the Riverbox must be considered so as to allow the visitor to discover the artwork. Consideration should be given to securing the artwork so that it is not easily damaged or removed from its site.
• Artwork must be the original work of the artist(s) without any current or future replications or editions.
• Conceptual approaches including abstraction, narrative, and experimental interpretation are encouraged.
• Final placement of each Riverbox will be determined through a site visit in coordination with DAC and City of Dublin Parks & Recreation staff.

TO APPLY

Interested artists must submit their application digitally. Submission is free of charge at www.callforentry.org.

Uploaded material should consist of:

• Six digital images of previous work (jpeg format preferred) Minimum 1920 pixels on the longest edge. Maximum 5MB file size each
• Title of artwork, medium, dimensions, dates, and location
• Resume / CV
• Letter of interest (300-500 words) addressing the following:
  • Clearly state your interest in the RiverboxesTM project
  • Briefly describe your experience and/or interest with site-specific public artwork

Dublin Arts Council is sensitive to the intellectual property component of this process and respect the rights of artists. Artists will retain copyright and VARA rights.

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

The artist must be Ohio-based and have a valid U.S. Tax ID for compensation. Artist teams will be considered, but only a single artist serving as a ‘project manager’ will be contracted. As smaller-scale public artworks, RiverboxesTM are particularly well-suited for artists seeking to expand their practice into public art. 
 

Selected artists will be responsible for:

• Concept development in collaboration with DAC and City of Dublin Parks & Recreation
• Design and fabrication of an original Riverbox artwork
• Installation of completed work
• Participation in public launch and promotional activities

Selected artists will be required to make three mandatory site visits to Dublin:

1)    Jan/Feb 2027 for site selection / assignment

2)    April 2027 for installation

3)    May/June 2027 public dedication / launch event

Dublin Arts Council is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all programs and services, and does not discriminate on the basis of race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, including marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Dublin Arts Council: www.dublinarts.org

City of Dublin: http://dublinohiousa.gov

Letterboxing: www.letterboxing.org |Geocaching: www.geocaching.com