Center Art LLC, in partnership with Seattle Center and Seattle Center Foundation, recently kicked off an open call for Pacific Northwest-based artist/design teams to design and construct the Artists at Play children’s play area at Seattle Center. Teams can apply now through Sept. 4
The privately-funded, million-dollar project will transform up to three acres of asphalt just south of Harrison Street between Seattle Center Armory and EMP Museum into a free, artistically-inspired play area for kids of all ages.
“Artists at Play is one of the major benefits of the public-private partnership between the City and Center Art, LLC,” said Michelle Bufano, executive director of Chihuly Garden and Glass. “Engaging local artists to design this playground brings us all closer together and makes this gift from the Howard S. Wright family even more meaningful.” Center Art LLC, owned by the Wright family, operates Chihuly Garden and Glass.
Initial planning meetings for the project kicked off in 2012. An Advisory Committee convened in the spring and early summer to define project goals and an inclusive artist/design team selection process. In this next phase, the Artists at Play selection panel, which is drawn from the local community and represents a mix of disciplines, will review all artist/design team entries. The open call requests that entries include a brief artist statement of what is personally compelling to them about the project and articulate their creative concept.
In September, a shortlist of finalists will be identified, who will each receive a stipend to create a more complete proposal with scope, schedule, budget and team members identified. Before the end of the year, a finalist will be selected and design work, including public engagement to inform development of the project, will get underway with a targeted opening in summer of 2014.
“We are thrilled to be working with Center Art on the Artists at Play project … which calls for enlivening that part of the grounds with accessible and creative, child-focused activities,” said Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams.
The call for qualifications is available at www.SeattleCenter.com.
