An art selection committee composed of members of the Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission (KCAC), advised by city staff and other relevant stakeholders when appropriate, will make the artists selections for the utility box wrap call to artists. Artist selection will be based on the evaluation of written submissions. The committee may also conduct an interview process of all or selected submitting artists; however, it reserves the right to select artists based only on the evaluation of written proposals. All proposals and interviews will be evaluated based on the Scoring Rubric Criteria (below) and committee deliberations. The committee will present its recommendations to the full KCAC for approval, with final approval of selected artists provided by the Kirkland City Council. 

The KCAC reserves the right not to select any submissions received from this call for artists. Applicants should be prepared and available to present their submissions virtually during an interview process if selected. Submitting artists should note the potential interview dates for their scheduling purposes, and must be able to meet the project timeline.

The City of Kirkland has identified several possible locations throughout the city for the installation of vinyl art on utility boxes. The art for each set (one large and one small box) should be coordinated. Proposals may identify preferred first and second locations from the list below. The KCAC, in coordination with the City of Kirkland, reserves the authority to make the final decision on art placements.

Suggested Utility Box Locations with Street and Google Coordinates

1. Box Location # 1 Southwest corner of 4^th Avenue and Central Way. At entry way to Kirkland Urban
   
   
2. Box Location #2 Northwest corner of 5^th Avenue and Central Way. Near parking lot of Wells Fargo Bank.
   
   
3. Box Location #3 Northeast corner of 4^th Avenue and 6^th Street. On road to post office.
   
   
4. Box Location #4 Northeast corner of Kirkland Way and 6^th Street.
   
   
5. Box Location #5 Southeast corner of 6^th Street South and 9^th Avenue South. Near Google buildings and Houghton businesses.
   
   
6. Box Location #6 Northeast corner of Totem Lake Boulevard NE and NE Village Plaza. At one of the entrances to Totem Lake Village.
   
   
7. Box Location #7 Southwest corner of NE 132^nd Street and 120^th Avenue. Near new on/off ramps for freeway.
   
   
8. Box Location #8 Southeast corner of Juanita Drive and 97^th Avenue. At entrance to Juanita Beach Park.

Map of Suggested Utility Box Locations

A map of the suggested locations detailed above can be found here for reference.

• Statement of interest (no longer than one page) describing why the proposing artist(s) should be considered for this opportunity, a brief explanation of the proposed concept and how the concept, vision, and proposed work address this specific call. This statement should also indicate if there are preferred locations and why.
  
  
• Two (2) to five (5) digital images of work samples that demonstrate the artists’ capabilities, approach, and style. New renderings or concept sketches specific to this art call are not required but may be submitted if desired.
  
  
• Brief artist(s)’ biography, resume or curriculum vitae (CV). If the applicant is a student, a letter of recommendation from an art teacher or art mentor will be accepted in lieu of a résumé.

Additional Requirements and Guidelines for Final Designs

Completed designs of selected artist(s) must fulfill the following:

• The completed designs must be submitted in a digital format--either high-quality JPG or PDF.

• The completed artwork must integrate the front, back, sides, and top (fully covering all sides) of the utility box. Artists will work with Kirkland’s Public Works Department to ensure that the artwork doesn’t prohibit access to important doors, plaques, and vents, or otherwise impair the functioning of the utility boxes.

• Artists should plan for an expected vinyl wrap lifespan of 5 - 10 years.
  
  
• Proposed art should be appropriate for installation in the public right of way in highly trafficked areas and must be:  

• Family friendly
• Cohesive with the proposed location(s)
• Reflective of Kirkland’s diverse community
• Compliant with standards for street-side public safety, including the following: proposed art should not contain representations of traffic lights, signs, or signals; should not blend into or mimic the surrounding streetscape; nor should they include large areas of black or dark colors to avoid overheating.

Each selected artist or artist team will be paid a $1200 stipend for digital files appropriate for covering one set of utility boxes (one large and one small in each set). The vinyl wrap fabrication and installation will be paid by the KCAC. Artists’ stipends will be paid after a City of Kirkland Service Agreement with outlined scope of work is signed by both the artist and the City. The City of Kirkland is required to have the below-listed documents from a vendor in order to enter into a contractual agreement. Required documentation includes:

• IRS Form W-9
• State of Washington Business License with City of Kirkland endorsement.

For assistance with requirements, contact Carmine Anderson

The Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission (KCAC) uses a scoring rubric—based on City of Kirkland Public Art Policy Guidelines and funders’ intent—in its selection process. Final selections are based on total points scored, interviews with applications, and committee deliberations. The KCAC recommends selections to the Kirkland City Council for final approval.

1. Responsiveness to the Project Call: Theme and Other Project Specifics —50 points How well does the proposed concept respond to the specifics of the call, in terms of theme, location (if applicable), and medium (if applicable)?
   Scale key: not competitive (1-9); fair (10-19); good (20-29); great (30-39); excellent (40-45); exceptional (46-50).
   
   
2. Overall Alignment with City of Kirkland Public Art Policy Guidelines – 20 points.
   Does the proposed work reflect Kirkland’s Public Art Vision to maintain a diverse public art collection that values and honors artistic endeavor and the creative process, recognizes the role of public art in a welcoming and inclusive community, invites interaction, fosters civic identity and community pride, inspires a sense of discovery, stimulates cultural awareness, and encourages economic development?

   Scale key: not competitive (1-2); fair (3-6); good (7-10); great (11-15); excellent (15-19); exceptional (20).
   

3. Artistic Merit – 20 points
   How well does the proposed work show artistic value, including formal qualities, technical ability, relevance to the current historical context, and the creative expression of content? Scale key: not competitive (1-2); fair (3-6); good (7-10); great (11-15); excellent (15-19); exceptional (20).
   
   
4. Artist’s Capabilities – 10 points
   Does the proposal, including the artist’s statement and submitted work samples, demonstrate the artist’s ability to meet the project requirements and fully realize the project. Scale key: not competitive (1); fair (2-3); good (4-5); great (6-7); excellent (8-9); exceptional (10).