Call to Artist

Beaverton City Library - Children’s Section
Beaverton, Oregon

Deadline for submittal: Friday, January 30, 2009

Total Art Budget:  $15,400

Budget Breakdown:  Portal Archway $7,300; Frieze $6,000; and Desk Panels $2,100.

(City of Beaverton, OR)  The Beaverton Arts Commission invites artists to submit public art proposals for consideration for the placement of work in three areas of the Children’s Section of the Beaverton City Library: 

1. On the portal archway leading into the Children’s Section
2. On the Frieze (up to a total of five sections are available)
3. On the front and side panels of the Children’s Desk

Dimensions
Portal Archway – 2 sides 4′4″ W x 11′5″ H angling up to 11′18″ H and an area above the entry that is 15′ x 2″ W and slopes down on the sides.  The center area, above the entry is an area 6′6″ wide by 1′10″ tall.

Frieze – 5 sections in the middle and 2 on each side.  Each section has three parts – 42” W x 27 1/8” H, 89 ½” W x 27 1/8” H, 42” W x 27 1/8” H

Children’s Section Desk Panels – 2 panels in front each 59 ¾” W x 15 ¼” H; 2 side panels each 21” W x 15 ¼” H 

Library Description
The Beaverton City Library, one of the busiest library facilities in the state, serves a population of approximately 106,000. Each month over 70,000 people visit the Library to check out over 1.7 million items per year. The Library is open 7 days per week and maintains a collection of over 300,000 items. The Library is located at 12375 SW 5th, Beaverton, OR  97005.  

Architecturally the Beaverton City Library is stunning.  The building is enclosed in brick, pre-cast concrete and glass.  These materials, which are in the interior of the building as well, convey a sense of stability and permanence appropriate to the library’s place in the life of the city. 

Inside patrons enjoy an interior full of natural light, which enters the interior through large windows, a clerestory band and skylights.  The skylights are located above striking tree-form columns which support an intricate “woven” wood ceiling at the primary Reading Room on the library’s upper level.

Carpet squares in purple, green and blue create a border between the Children’s Section of the Library and the adult materials.  They also highlight the children’s reference desk and part of the children’s seating area. The artwork should complement this color scheme and help to create an identifiable children’s area.

To Apply for This Call

The Beaverton Arts Commission is contracting with CAFÉ (www.callforentry.org) to manage the submittal process for this Call to Artist.  The applicant will be asked to submit 8 digital images of past work, a proposal of no more than 2,000 characters and a resume.

Selection Criteria
Individual artists or artist teams may apply.  Three finalists will be selected based on the quality of their past work and their written proposal.  The three finalists will be asked to present drawings of their proposal, proposed timeline for the project and budget.  The three finalists (either individuals or teams) will be paid $250 for their proposals.

The selected artist or artist team will be commissioned to create a work of art in wood, metal or other material suitable for placement on the Library Portal Archway, on the frieze and on the desk panels.  The artwork will be of the highest quality and should consider the following:

• Characteristics of the Beaverton City Library, particularly its architecture.
• Appropriate size and durability (the surface should be cleanable and vandalism resistant.
• Suitable for a high-traffic public facility (should not pose any safety concerns i.e.  no protruding point surfaces)
• The artwork should be attractive and inviting to children.

For Additional Information
Contact:  Jayne Scott at 503-526-2288 or  jscott@ci.beaverton.or.us

Artist Opportunities

Call to Artist

Community Band (BCB)

Mural Program

Temporary Sculpture Installation Program

Grants Available

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