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Opportunity: Spokane Public Library – Public Art Projects

Spokane Arts is hosting open calls for several public art projects to be installed in conjunction with current Spokane Public Library projects, including a large overhead indoor art project for the Downtown Library, and outdoor art projects at the Shadle Public Library and the Liberty Park Public Library. In 2018, Spokane voters passed a $77 million bond issue for the remodel of four libraries and the construction of three additional libraries to serve the citizens of Spokane. For detailed information about the City of Spokane Public Library Projects, please see the website http://future.spokanelibrary.org.

All three calls for artists are open for individual artists or artist teams to submit their interest and qualifications online by the October 28, 2020 deadline. Artists from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in public art are strongly encouraged to apply. Specific proposals are not requested and will not be accepted at this time. Selected finalists will be asked to prepare a conceptual design for the second phase of the selection process.

Find details and apply for each project individually:

Downtown Branch Overhead Indoor Art Project, Spokane Downtown Library, 906 W. Main Avenue, Spokane, WA This will be a signature piece for the library. The artwork will hang in the multi-floor stair well. The piece must have 70% openness/perforation, due to fire sprinkler codes, so that water can pass through. This artwork should be accessible and welcoming to the public and create an inviting destination for citizens, neighbors, visitors and users of the Spokane Public Library. The artist is responsible for the design, fabrication and installation of the art work within the given project budget. The artist will be asked to develop a design proposal with a detailed budget which will not exceed $125,000 including all applicable expenses including sales tax, insurance, engineering, fabrication and installation. Details and application here.

Shadle Branch Outdoor Public Art Project, Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley, Spokane, WA. The artwork will be outside in the plaza at the entrance to the library. The artwork could be a traditional above-ground, non-interactive sculpture, art work embedded into the plaza, interactive sculpture, a series of smaller works, playful sculptural outdoor furniture, or other outdoor appropriate public art work. This artwork should be accessible and welcoming to the public and create an inviting destination for citizens, neighbors, visitors and users of the Spokane Public Library. A successful project will be made of durable materials suited to an active urban library and an outdoor setting. The artist is responsible for the design, fabrication and installation of the artwork within the given project budget. The artist will be asked to develop a design proposal with a detailed budget which will not exceed $75,000 including all applicable expenses including sales tax, insurance, engineering, fabrication, and installation. Details and application here.

Liberty Park Branch Outdoor Art ProjectFuture Liberty Park Library, 4th Avenue & S. Pittsburg Street, Spokane, WA. The design theme for the architecture of this branch is to make patrons feel like they are “reading a book in the trees.” The artwork will be exterior and in an active urban park environment adjacent to the library in Liberty Park.  This artwork could be playful and/or interactive and should appeal to families and young children. The goal of placing interactive artwork in this location is to create a friendly, activated pedestrian experience for both visitors to the Library and Liberty Park. The artist is responsible for the design, fabrication and installation of the artwork within the given project budget. The artist will be asked to develop a design proposal with a detailed budget which will not exceed $75,000 including all applicable expenses including sales tax, insurance, engineering, fabrication and installation. Details and application here. 

Point of Contact: Karen Mobley, Program Contractor, Spokane Arts
Contact Email:
Expires: October 28, 2020