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INTRODUCTION
The Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (YCAC), a program of DNDA (Delridge Neighborhood Development Administration) in partnership with its Delridge Neighbors seeks an artist or team of artists interested in creating an artwork in conjunction with the development of a proposed Skate Board Park at Delridge and Genesee . The selected artist(s) will collaborate with the project team, members of the skateboard initiative, local residents, and youth.

BACKGROUND
The site for this project is located near several community service buildings and has the potential to be a gateway to the Delridge corridor. The public art piece needs to compliment the new skate park and serve as a landmark for the community. Delridge is a diverse community with many cultural backgrounds and part of Seattle’s rich history. The park site is near the West Seattle Bridge and is on a well traveled avenue accessible by public transportation. The art is an opportunity to acknowledge local resident’s support of community development around the park.

ELIGIBILITY
This call is open to professional and emerging artist in the state of Washington. YCAC encourages diversity, collaboration, the recognition of marginalized social groups in the design process, and the development of a politically conscious community. The panel will consider artist diversity as one factor in the selection process. Students are eligible with the sponsorship of a faculty member from their educational institution.

SCOPE OF WORK
The selected artist will design a bold and creative response to this site and its stakeholders. The artwork should be of appropriate scale to be visually accessible to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians without presenting a hazard or driving distraction. The artist will consider the structures access and location to the skate park and accommodate its possible use by skateboarders, spectators, visitors, and neighbors. Design and placement of the artwork will focus on its relationship with the skate park and the social environment by serving as a gateway to the Delridge neighborhood. The artist will play a primary role in the location of the artwork in collaboration with YCAC, the project team, and will take into account safety, maintenance and structural considerations

INTENT
This project is intended to be art in the public interest. This purpose goes beyond the traditional use of public art to decorate, enrich, or as a public space that is object oriented. This project will provide the artist with a process to welcome play, learning, and build community by building strong partnerships with Seattle residents.

BUDGET
The budget for this project is under review. To what extent it is funded will depend on the parties abilities to collaborate with one another, city departments, and to persuasively communicate the story of the Delridge neighborhood and the skate park project.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENT
Tuesday June 30, 2009, 11:00p.m., Pacific Standard Time

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
• Letter of interest (not to exceed 500 words) describing how artist will work with various stakeholders
• Resume
• References (students interested should include a written letter by faculty sponsor)
• Supplemental materials (jpg images, hard copy less than 8,1/2” x 11”) no slides please

SELECTION CRITERIA
1) Artistic merit
2) Ability to produce durable outdoor art
3) A proven ability to work with marginalized social groups and documented interest to collaborate
4) Demonstrated ability to complete proposals and willingness to research budget factors

SELECTION PROCESS
The selection will take place in three parts. During the first round of the selection process a panel consisting of one or more arts professionals, neighbors, youth, team representatives, and committee members will review applicant’s materials and qualifications. The panelists will identify up to three artists to interview. The panel will also identify one alternative artist. Approximately one month later finalist will meet with the panel to be qualified for the next phase which will include them working with architects, and neighbors to prepare a proposal within six months. One artist will be invited to work on phase two and construction when the project budget has been approved by funding agencies.

NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision by e-mail in August 2009. The Skate Park Public Sculpture Committee reserves the right not to select any of the applicants.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP
For questions please contact the Skate Park Art Project Committee, 206-935-2999.