Public Art Opportunities

Request for Qualifications – Public Works Operations

This opportunity to apply is CLOSED! SELECTION PROCESS IS IN PROGRESS

List of Semi-Finalists:

Finalists will be announced in early May 2024.

Renderings – Original

Project Timeline

January 5, 2024 (by Noon): Request for Qualifications deadline

Week of January 22, 2024: Semi-finalists contacted

April 10, 2024: Deadline for semi-finalists submittals

April 2024: Semi-finalists interviews/meetings

Early May 2024: Final artist/artist team announced

June 2024: Contracting

First Quarter 2025: Installation

For questions, call Shannon Taysi at 360-778-8360 or email at staysi@cob.org

Here are the questions and answers received by staff to date.

Additional Questions/Answers:

  • The space below the stairs.  Is that accessible (in the CAD model it looks like there is a door there).  What is that space used for?  Can we put art there on the wall or on the floor?

    Yes, the space below the stairs is accessible (there is a personal access door from the L1 office space).  It will not be open to the public (but viewable to public from exterior).

Request for Proposals – Artwork for Traffic Boxes

This opportunity is CLOSED! The final selections will be announced in the spring of 2024.

$500.00 is available for each selected and installed artwork – Submissions due by October 13, 2023 at Noon.

*IMPORTANT: It will be imperative that you read the Request for Proposal as it outlines all of the requirements and describes all of the processes that must be followed in more detail than what is highlighted below. *

Request for Proposal – CLOSED ON OCTOBER 13th

The City of Bellingham is seeking original artwork to be installed on ten (10) traffic boxes located in the downtown. See https://cob.org/services/arts/call-for-traffic-box-artwork for the map of locations and a portal to submit images.  

$500 is available for each artwork that is selected and installed.

Rules of Entry

  • Entry is open to 2D visual artists of all disciplines. This includes but is not limited to graphic artists, painters, sketchers, cartoonists, photographers etc. (From previous installations, bold clean-lined graphics work best for this type of installation,)
  • All artwork must be the artist’s original creation
  • The City of Bellingham reserves the right to refuse any work not considered acceptable for presentation or public display
  • Artists may submit artwork for any one or all traffic boxes

Selection Criteria

The materials will be ranked on the following (40 Points Max):

  • Visually bold and crisp – Maximum of 10 points
  • Translates well in an urban landscape – Maximum of 10 points
  • Quality artwork – Maximum of 20 points

Project Timeline

October 13, 2023 (by Noon): Request for Proposals deadline

Week of November 13, 2023: Finalists announced

Mid November/December 2023: Agreements signed and file modifications done for printing

Spring 2024: Installation

October 13, 2023 by Noon (12:00 PM).

Send your email submission to Shannon Taysi at staysi@cob.org. Visit https://cob.org/services/arts/call-for-traffic-box-artwork to submit images through a portal.

No late submissions will be considered. 

For questions, call Shannon Taysi at 360-778-8360 or email at staysi@cob.org

All questions and responses will be posted to this site as they are received and answered prior to the deadline. Please refer back to keep up to date on those responses prior to the deadline.

Call for Artwork – Sculpture Procurement for Neighborhood Park

This opportunity is CLOSED! The final selection will be announced before the end of 2023.

Up to $15,000.00 available – Submissions due by September 8, 2023 at Noon.

*IMPORTANT: It will be imperative that you read the Request for Sculpture as it outlines all of the requirements and describes all of the processes that must be followed in more detail than what is highlighted below. *

Call for Artwork application – CLOSED ON SEPTEMBER 8th

The City of Bellingham is seeking to purchase a fabricated sculpture for the installation in a small community park. The artist will be responsible for both delivery and installation.

Up to $15,000 is available for the sculpture, delivery, and installation.

Selection Criteria

The materials will be ranked on the following (45 Points Max):

  • Craftsmanship is of high quality – Maximum of 20 points
  • Meets Criteria (Whimsical/Playful) – Maximum of 15 points
  • Maintenance requirements are low – Maximum of 5 points
  • Stability – Can withstand interaction – Maximum of 5 points

Project Timeline

September 8, 2023 (by Noon): Request for Sculpture deadline

Mid-September 2023: The selection committee convenes

Week of October 16, 2023: Selected artwork announced

Late Fall 2023: Installation

Additional Resources

A list of parks for consideration can be found at the end of the Call for Artwork.

A list of all the parks and their locations can be found in the Park Guide on the City’s website.

September 8, 2023 by Noon (12:00 PM).

Send your email submission to Shannon Taysi at staysi@cob.org. Submissions must be in PDF format.

No late submissions will be considered. 

For questions, call Shannon Taysi at 360-778-8360 or email at staysi@cob.org

All questions and responses will be posted to this site as they are received and answered prior to the deadline. Please refer back to keep up to date on those responses prior to the deadline.

Past Opportunities

Cordata Roundabout – The selected artwork will be installed on the roundabout that sits at Horton Road and Cordata Parkway, which is the gateway to existing and future housing and is near the 25-acre Cordata Park. The project is anticipated to be completed by late fall of 2023, with a budget of $80,000.00 – $95,000.00.

Birchwood Avenue Mural – The selected mural will cover the underpass adjacent to the Bay to Baker Trail, near the hospital staff parking lot. The project is anticipated to be completed by early fall of 2023, with a budget of $70,000.00

Public Works Vehicle Barn – The selected artwork will be attached to undulating metal at the future site of the Public Works Vehicle Barn, 2200 Nevada Street. The artwork will be located along the Virginia Street side of the building, which is 38’L x 31.5’H (at the tallest point), and a long section of vehicle door bays. The site is adjacent to industrial buildings and a bike path/trail connection. The project is anticipated to be completed in the winter of 2022 with a budget of $50,000.

Anamorphic Mural – A mural in the alley behind 1300 Commercial Street, on the columns of the public parking garage to enhance the alley adjacent to the public parking garage. The installation area included eleven concrete columns and two aggregate panels. Completed in 2019 with a budget of $5,000.​​ 

Traffic Box Artwork – Original artwork installed on six traffic boxes located in the downtown Arts District. The goal of the project was to reinforce a sense of place and enhance the identity of the district while adding beauty and interest to the streetscape. Completed in 2019 with a budget of $500 for each image selected and installed.​

N Forest Street – Create and install artwork on two retaining walls along the southern portion of N. Forest Street (between E. Ivy and Rose Streets. Estimated to be completed in 2021 with a budget of $15,000.00.

Resources

Contacts

​Shannon Taysi at staysi@cob.org or 360-778-8360

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