CALL TO ARTISTS

Palmer Events Center: Interior Installation - Public Art Opportunity
City of Austin (National): Art in Public Places (AIPP)
Deadline for Submissions – 5:00 PM CST: December 19, 2023
Submit all information via PublicArtist.org/austinaipp

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The City of Austin Art in Public Places program (AIPP) seeks to commission a professional visual artist or artist-led team to design and fabricate a site-specific artwork that enhances the interior second story space of the Palmer Event Center located at 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, Texas 78704. https://www.palmereventscenter.com/

BACKGROUND

The Palmer Events Center is nestled near Butler Park with amazing views of the downtown Austin skyline. Over 125,000 square feet of the multi-purpose venue spans is utilized for hosting national conventions, sporting events, theatrical performances and more. The Palmer Events Center (PEC) actually dates back to 1940 when the City of Austin purchased an airplane hangar on the south shores of Town Lake. The hangar was then converted into an all-purpose City Coliseum that opened to the public in 1949. A new structure was voted on as a part of the 1998 bond election which resulted in the highly used after events center today.

The Palmer Events Center is a part of the Austin’s Convention Center Department. It is a state-of-the-art energy efficient facility powered by 100 percent renewable energy from Austin Energy’s Green Choice Program. As Austin continues to receive the nickname “Silicon Hills”, the Events Center increasingly attracts tech conventions.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The artwork is intended to provide an aesthetic enhancement for an interior wall spanning the length of a narrow walkway approximately 90 linear feet and extending upward about 20 feet. The wall is located on the 2nd level of the open lobby space running parallel to functional decorative railing that together create a walkway to the Events Center offices. The artist or artist-led team selected for this project will be expected to coordinate the with staff during implementation of the project so as to minimally impact operations.

This project is an opportunity for an artist to create a tactile, visually engaging artwork on the 2nd level of the main entrance lobby space of the Palmer Event Center. The artwork should consider the surrounding natural context of the space and earthy interior finishes. The final artwork could use technology to inform, illuminate, provide humor or narrative while visually engaging visitors and other users of the Palmer Event Center.

APPROXIMATE BUDGET: $400,000

ELIGIBILITY

The City of Austin AIPP program strives to commission a broad range of artworks which contribute to the current dialogue in the field of visual art by broadly awarding commissions among local, state and national artists. AIPP defines artist as an individual recognized by critics and peers as a professional practitioner of serious intent and substantial ability in the visual, performing, or literary art.

Artists and makers skilled in working with analog and digital technologies, creating sculptural work in ceramics, glass, carved wood, and metal are encouraged to apply. Experience creating permanent artwork is a requirement. Only one commission will be awarded for this opportunity. This opportunity is open to visual artists who reside throughout the United States. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Applicants not meeting these eligibility requirements will be withdrawn from consideration.

Please see the commission document for full project information and application instructions.Click here for the application form. You will have to login to or register for a free account with publicartist.org