Call to Artists – Temporary Sculpture Installation

Hillsboro, Oregon

The Hillsboro Public Art Program seeks to place sculpture in prominent outdoor locations to enliven civic spaces with work of high artistic quality.

The Public Art Program will select a sculptural work of human scale for outdoor placement in Downtown Hillsboro at SW Second and Washington Streets.

•  Artwork must be durable and free of materials that may be considered precious or fragile.  All materials used in the fabrication and installation must be suitable to the outdoor setting with pedestrian, skateboard and bicycle traffic, and must be reasonably vandal-resistant. The artwork should be easily maintained, and must meet all public safety and accessibility requirements.

• The work should be pedestrian scale. A base for attaching the sculpture to concrete must be included. The base should not exceed approximately 5’ x 10’.

• The work should be in keeping with the values of the Public Art Master Plan and be welcoming to Hillsboro’s diverse population. The Master Plan can be viewed at http://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/publicart.

• Existing art that is one of a kind, or of a limited series, will be considered.

 Compensation

A total budget for this project will not exceed $3000. This amount includes a $2000 for a 24 month display, $500 for transportation and installation and $500 for removal of the sculpture. The City of Hillsboro will assist with the installation and removal of the sculpture under the artist’s guidance. The sculpture can be for sale, and if it is sold, The City of Hillsboro retains 30% of the sale price. At the close of the temporary period, the City will either end the lease on the artwork and release it to the artist or pursue permanent acquisition of the piece.

The Site

 The site is a former fountain that is decommissioned. The City transformed the site into a temporary public art location. The highly visible site is adjacent to the Civic Center, a local theater and a light rail station with active roadways nearby. It is also in a pedestrian area used by many hundreds of city and county employees and the general public. A previous selection proved to be popular, and it was purchased by the city and relocated to a permanent site in a local park.       

The City

 The City of Hillsboro is located seventeen miles west of Portland, combining the “silicon forest” of multiple high tech facilities like Intel with rich agricultural lands. With a population of 100,000, Hillsboro is known for its charming historic Main Street, active farmers and handcraft markets and its dynamic economy and rapid growth, increasing its population by 30% in 2000 – 2010. The city is actively placing artwork throughout the city to enliven the visual landscape and strengthen the sense of place.

 Eligibility

 The commission is open to professional artists or artist teams living or working in Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

 Artist Selection Process and Criteria

 Artist and artist teams should submit images of existing sculpture. Proposals to create work will not be considered. All submitted and complete applications will be subjected to a juried evaluation process through the Submittable application system. There is no fee to apply.

Deadline: Thursday, July 21, 2016 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time.

 Selection criteria include:

• Artistic excellence
• Suitability for the site
• Durability, maintenance and safety
  

For Questions, Contact:                              

Laura Murray
Facilities Supervisor

Hillsboro Public Art Program
527 East Main Street
Hillsboro, OR 97123-4236
503.615.3431
laura.murray@Hillsboro-Oregon.gov