We’re seeking an artist to develop a permanent, site-integrated or free-standing art project for the new Fire Station 32 in West Seattle, in partnership with the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (DFAS) and the Seattle Fire Department (SFD). The opportunity is open to established professional artists living within the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska) and California. The application deadline is 11 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22, 2013 (Pacific Standard Time).
Apply here for the Fire Station 32 call for artists.
The selected artist will work with the community, firefighters, city staff and the design team to develop art integrated into the facility or create a site-specific, durable, three-dimensional, free-standing artwork. The artist will be required to take into consideration the limited ground space on the lot in the design of their artwork, whether site-integrated or free-standing. Artists should have skills in designing, fabricating and installing artwork in one or more of these media: metal, glass, stone, concrete, ceramic, wood, light, surface treatment, sustainable design and environmental design. The artwork should address the work and spirit of the firefighters and the unique character of the surrounding neighborhood.
The existing Fire Station 32, located at 3715 W. Alaska St., was built in 1966 and is being replaced in order to create adequate space for staff and modern apparatus. The new fire station will be built at the same location and will be the lead station for all of West Seattle, southwest Seattle and Harbor Island, and the industrial areas lining both sides of the Duwamish River.
The artist will join the project in April or May 2013. The design development phase is anticipated to begin in September 2013, construction in fall 2014, and completion in fall 2015.
The project is funded by the city’s Fire Facilities and Emergency Response Levy program, passed in 2003 by Seattle voters. The program provides $197 million in levy proceeds and other funding to replace and relocate five neighborhood fire stations, rebuild six stations, and renovate 20 stations. The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, with DFAS and SFD, has developed an art program to commission artworks that address the intersection of the firefighters and the community. Since the passage of the levy, eight artists have been commissioned to develop artworks for eight different neighborhood fire stations. Over the next two years, three additional artists will be commissioned for upcoming projects. The selected artist for Fire Station 32 will receive a commission of $90,000, inclusive of all costs to design, fabricate and install artwork. Find more information here on the Fire Facilities and Emergency Response Levy and Fire Station 32.
