Artists to submit work for Regent Street project

SALT LAKE CITY — Mayor Ralph Becker has a big plan to add some professional art to Regent Street.

The mayor and the Salt Lake City Arts Council’s Art Design Board are asking professional artists and artist-led teams in Utah, across the nation and around the world for submissions.

The artists interested in applying should have demonstrated experience in innovative placemaking and the design and installation of large-scale exterior artworks, according to the press release.

The integrated art that is selected and the Regent Street project, which is headed by the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office and Redevelopment Agency “will serve as a catalyst for positive economic and social change and enhanced quality of life in the downtown business and cultural district,” according to the press release.

“Public art will be a dynamic part of the Regent Street redevelopment project,” Becker said in a statement. “We look forward to the potential to connect art installations integrally with the Regent Street businesses and streetscape to create a vibrant and unique cultural district that further enhances the lives of our downtown residents.”

The project should be completed by June 2016.

“This is the best opportunity I can remember for an artist to create a piece of public art that has such tremendous impact,” RDA Board Chairman Stan Penfold said in a statement. “Our goal is to turn Regent Street into a must-see, must-experience destination for residents and visitors alike, and the integration of public art will help get us there.”

City unveils new plans for downtown Regent Street by theater

Civic leaders are considering an ambitious plan to fill in a gap between two downtown entertainment areas with the redevelopment of a venerable old Salt Lake City block.

The art the SLCACA Design Board is looking for should fit the following:

• Exemplifies strong, imaginative design and content, and contributes to a visually stimulating environment that lends itself to thought and adds character to the site.

• May include elements of interactivity to extend the spirit of performance art and/or street theater.

• Is a part of the architectural whole, and is prominent at all hours and is proportionate to its surroundings.

• Is durable and suitable for Utah’s variable climate and requires minimal maintenance.

Up to four finalists will be chosen among the artists who submit applications. The Salt Lake Art Design Board and Review Committee will select the finalists, who will present their conceptual artwork proposals in early September.

The SLCACA Design Board, representatives from the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City Corporation, Salt Lake City Council office, GSBS Architects project design team, Layton Construction and neighboring properties will be at the review meeting.

The all-inclusive budget of $1,400,000-$2,000,000 will be awarded as one commission and will include artist’s fees, travel, design, engineering, insurance, permits, fabrication, labor, shipping and installation, according to the press release.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Salt Lake City

According to the press release, the finalists will be chosen based on this criteria:

• Artist’s consideration of and experience in creating artwork that incorporates multimedia elements, such as light, digital, sound and/or may have an interactive component in its design.

• Artist’s professional experience, representing a developed and successful body of site-specific public art projects of a similar scope as demonstrated by visual documentation.

• Ability to understand sense of place and design in a context-sensitive manner as demonstrated by visual documentation.

To submit an application, click here. Submissions are currently being accepted and will be through midnight June 22 through the CaFÉ online digital application process.

For more information and the full request for qualifications, visit the Salt Lake City Public Art Program website.

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