The mission of the Oregon Zoo is to inspire the community to respect animals and act on behalf of the natural world. We do this by creating engaging experiences and advancing the highest level of animal welfare, environmental literacy, and conservation science.
The Oregon Zoo is a Polar Bears International (PBI) Arctic Ambassador Center and, as one of its goals, educates the public about polar bears and climate change, playing a leadership role in inspiring carbon reductions in the community. Design of a new polar bear habitat will include developing the story of polar bears in their native habitats and changes they are experiencing as a result of melting arctic ice. The vision for the project is to develop a new and larger habitat that is developed in such a way as to encourage and promote the bears exploring, digging, swimming, scratching, and other natural behaviors. Located at the heart of the zoo, the Central Plaza will feature three polar bear habitats and a maternity den/yard as well as visitor amenities.
An artist/team selected through this current search process will work with the zoo and the project design team to develop permanent artwork for the Central Plaza/Polar Passage at the Oregon Zoo that responds to the purpose of the site and the public art goals. Specific locations for installing artwork will be identified through a collaborative exploration between the design team and the selected artist/team. Depending on the nature of the proposed artwork, the artist/team and design team may work together to supplement the construction drawings with notes about the artwork installation.
The artwork should creatively build on the core of the project’s themes that focus on climate change, conservation, arctic culture and/or the majesty and mystery of the iconic polar bear. Artists should also keep in mind the general goals for the zoo’s entire public art program:
Budget
The selected artist will receive a commission of $200,000, inclusive of all fees, design, insurance, engineering, fabrication, delivery, permitting, installation, travel and additional site work necessary to accommodate the artwork. The contract will be divided into proposal development and design ($20,000) and fabrication/installation ($180,000).
Eligibility
Applicants must have successfully completed at least two major site-specific commissions that were informed by dialogue with a commissioning body.
Timeline
Evaluation Criteria
The selection panel will score applicants based on the criteria listed below.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through CaFE™. If you do not already have a profile set up with CaFE™, then you will have to set one up free of charge. Applicants unfamiliar with or requiring assistance with the system may contact WESTAF's technical advisors who may provide support during the application process. Incomplete applications cannot be considered. The system will prompt the applicant if the application has not been completed but it is the responsibility of the applicant to complete and submit it by the deadline – 11:59PM (MDT), Monday, August 8, 2016. The application must include the following materials:
QUESTIONS? Contact Peggy Kendellen, Public Art Manager, Regional Arts & Culture Council, pkendellen@racc.org or 503.823.4196
Review the full Request for Qualifications for complete project, site and application information.