Arlington, TX Seeks Sculpture for Trail

The City of Arlington (“City”) and Entertainment District Sculpture Trail (“EDST”) Committee are seeking a response to this call for public art submissions from artists interested in providing professional services needed for the permanent placement of sculpture(s) to be located in Richard Greene Linear Park.

Review the full Request for Proposals here.

Budget: $140,000 total (up to 3 artworks sought), includes sculpture purchase/fabrication and foundation installation

Deadline: 07/20/2017 5:00 PM Central Time

Eligibility:  Professional, amateur, and student artists from anywhere in the U.S. Artists are allowed to apply in teams. Artists applying as a team must split the allotted number of work examples between themselves.

Artwork Goals
The sculpture does not have to articulate any particular theme. The vision is to help create a unique and long standing art experience right in the heart of the City of Arlington. The Entertainment District Sculpture Trail is envisioned to weave throughout a natural setting showcasing sculptures, offering a unique educational experience and providing one-of-a-kind sculptures designed to celebrate events and people in the Entertainment District.

Site History
In 2011, the concept of the Entertainment District Sculpture Trail (EDST) was born through the cooperation between the City of Arlington Parks and Recreation and the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau. The EDST is located in 41 acres within Richard Greene Linear Park and Dr. Robert Cluck Linear Park between mega-venues Globe Life Park and AT&T Stadium. Phase 1 was Unity Arch and dedicated April 2017. Phase 2 of the EDST consisted of the placement of nine (9) sculptures that are on loan to the City of Arlington for a three year-long period of display within the sculpture trail. Phase 3 consisted of the installation of The Sea in Meadowbrook Park. These new sculptures are Phase 4 of the EDST development.

Artwork Location Description
With a lake on its north side, Rangers Ballpark to the east and AT&T Stadium to the west, Richard Greene Linear Park is a 41-acre park with two miles of hike and bike trails, picnic areas, and the Caelum Moor (Norm Hines) sculptures. The park is a part of the Texas Trails Network and is a greenway in the middle of Arlington’s famous Entertainment District, thanks to the Johnson Creek Ecosystem Restoration project. The project included creek restoration, stream bank stabilization, development of the hike and bike trail and ecosystem enhancements.

Project Description
Up to (3) sculptures may be selected to be placed for permanent installation pending funding availability. The committee will accept entries of large scale, free standing, interactive sculptures.

The City of Arlington Parks and Recreation and the EDST Steering Committee will provide the following:

• A concrete base for securing the sculpture. Foundations will be designed based on sculpture selection.
• A custom plaque not to exceed 8" x 8", indicating the artist’s name, sculpture title and EDST designation.
• APRD will promote the sculpture trail and artwork on social media, City website and various department publications.
• No lighting will be provided for the artwork at this time.

Artists are encouraged to visit the park and review the possible locations that are suitable for their sculpture. Placement will be dependent upon size of sculpture, unique installation requirements, and natural element limitations. Every sculpture location will be near a concrete pathway for optimal visibility to patrons for the benefit of both the artist and the sponsoring entity.

Selection Process

Members of the Entertainment District Sculpture Committee will serve as the selection committee. Using their diverse background and experiences, the Selection Committee will evaluate the submitted sculptures and select the sculptures that best adhere to the guidelines and criteria outlined in this document. The Sculpture Trail Committee consists of members from the City of Arlington, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, University of Texas at Arlington and local artists.

During the evaluation process, the committee reserves the right, where it may serve the City’s best interest, to request additional information or clarification from responders, or to allow corrections of errors or omissions. At the discretion of the committee, artists submitting responses may be requested to make oral presentations as part of the evaluation process.

The pieces selected for display will be chosen by committee members based on the originality of the piece, its aesthetic properties, and its suitability for an outdoor public exhibit.

Selection Criteria

Structural

• The depth and width of the sculpture shall be limited by its ability to fit within the parameters of the identified location.
• Designs submitted must provide for safely securing the structure to a base or natural ground, whichever is more appropriate.
• Structural integrity will be required for security reasons but is also a safety issue as children may be at play near the sculpture.
• The artist must be able to adhere the sculpture to the foundation to prevent theft.
• Maximum weight of the sculpture shall not exceed 1,000 lbs.

Environmental

• Sculptures must be durable with a usable life expectancy of ten (10) years with minimal maintenance.
• Sculptures will be installed outside with exposure to North Texas elements and public that include but are not limited to wind, heat, cold, rain, ice and possible vandalism. Installed sculptures must withstand 90 mph winds without blowing over or blowing away.

Safety: Sculptures must be durable and suitable for kids at play. Sharp, pointed pieces of the sculpture should be avoided below 6 feet to prevent possible injury to patrons.

Aesthetic

• While creative latitude is a prime objective of the sculpture program, both the City of Arlington and the Entertainment District Sculpture Trail Steering Committee agree that to fund the proposed sculpture, they must approve the design.
• To that end, sculptures should not espouse a political or religious position. Sculptures should not use logos or words that might lend the sculpture to be construed as a sign. Sculptures must be family appropriate.

Application Requirements

• Work examples: 1
• Artist Statement
• Application form/agreement (download here)

How to Apply

Email submittals to Gary Packan, Project Manager, gary.packan@arlingtontx.gov  Email attachments must not exceed 5 MB total.

QUESTIONS? Contact Gary Packan, City of Arlington Parks and Recreation, gary.packan@arlingtontx.gov or by phone 817.459.5496.