Senate Street Median Sculpture - Columbia, SC

Contact InformationOne Columbia for Arts and CultureContact Email: [email protected] Phone: 803-254-8005

Requirement OverviewLocation Eligibility Type: RegionalEligible Applicant Types: ArtistSubmission Limit: 1Media RequirementsImages | Min: 4, Max: 6Audio | Min: 0, Max: 0Video | Min: 0, Max: 0Total | Min: 4, Max: 6

Opportunity SummaryOne Columbia for Arts and Culture, in partnership with the Congaree Vista Guild, is seeking qualifications from South Carolina based artists or artist teams to design and fabricate a colorful, highly visible, site-specific public art sculpture for the median at the 900 block of Senate Street in Columbia, South Carolina. This opportunity calls for a bold, engaging work that enhances the visual identity of the corridor and contributes to the vibrancy of the surrounding district. *Applicants must be current residents of South Carolina or maintain an active studio in South Carolina to be considered.

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General InformationThe selected artist will be commissioned to design, fabricate, and install a sculptural artwork within a street median environment. The work should be:Visually striking and highly visible from multiple vantage pointsDesigned with color, form, and scale that stands out in an urban streetscapeAppropriate for a high-traffic roadway settingDurable and suitable for long-term outdoor installationArtists should consider visibility, safety, and the experience of pedestrians and drivers in their approach.

Application RequirementsApplicants must submit:Brief statement of interest that includes:Interest in the site or communityHow you practice aligns with the project goalsAwareness of durability, safety, and public interactionPortfolio of past work (up to 6 images)Please use works that most closely relate to this project in:ScaleContext (civic, streetscape, median, park, etc.)Note: Concept proposals are not required at this stage. Artwork GoalsThe goals of this project are to:Create a memorable landmark along Senate StreetReflect the creative energy of ColumbiaContribute to a vibrant, walkable, and visually engaging corridor Enhance the identity of the surrounding district through bold, contemporary public art Location DescriptionThe project site is located in the median of the 900 block of Senate Street in Columbia, SC.The site is characterized by:Vehicular trafficStrong visibility from multiple directionsPedestrian access within the median itselfArtists must design with public safety, sightlines, and scale in mind. BudgetThe selected artist will receive $18,000 inclusive of all costs associated with the project, including:Design and engineeringMaterials and fabricationTransportation and installationInsurancePayment Schedule:50% upon contract execution50% upon successful installation TimelineRFQ Release: July 20, 2026Deadline for Qualifications: August 20, 2026Notification of Shortlisted Artists: August 31, 2026Finalist Proposal Period: October 5-9, 2026Project Completion / Installation: April 1, 2027Shortlisted artists will receive a $250 stipend to develop conceptual proposals.Only artists who are current residents of South Carolina or who maintain an active studio in South Carolina are eligible for this project.

Eligibility CriteriaArtists are eligible if they:Have experience with public art or large-scale outdoor work Are able to work within the United StatesAre not currently enrolled as a student in a degree programAre current residents of South Carolina or who maintain an active studio in South Carolina.

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