Norman Arts Council is seeking an artist to design a large-scale public art installation for the University Town Center, a large shopping center in Norman.
According to the project’s official request for qualifications, Norman is commissioning an interactive or kinetic artwork for the site and the selected artist or team of artists will receive a $350,000 budget to cover design, fabrication, maintenance and installation costs.
Norman Arts Council Executive Director Leslie Nottingham said the council hopes the artwork will serve as a landmark and help draw in visitors.
“We thought a kinetic or an interactive art piece would suit that very nicely, …” Nottingham said. “Something that would be a showstopper that people would come specifically to see.”
Kinetic artwork moves on its own, often powered by wind or motors, allowing the installation to shift throughout the day. The council requests that the artwork function both in daylight and at night.
“Interactive pieces usually involve a lot of technology. … Everything from sound and lights that react either when you touch or when you move them, or screens that create movement,” Nottingham said.
She said artists have many different ways to incorporate technology into public art to create experiences that engage visitors of all ages.
Artists interested in the project must apply through CaFÉ, a call for entry system used for public art opportunities. Applicants must submit a portfolio, letter of interest, artist statement, resume and references.
A selection committee composed of design professionals, city representatives, a Norman Arts Council board member, a Norman Public Art committee member and members of the arts community will review submissions and narrow the pool to three finalists.
The finalists will visit Norman for a site tour before developing a proposal and presenting their concept to the committee.
According to Nottingham, finalists are expected to be notified the first week of June, with site visits scheduled for mid-August and finalist presentations in late September to early October. The selected artist would be under contract by November, with installation’s completion anticipated in mid-to-late 2027.
Nottingham said the project is better suited for artists with experience in large public installations due to scale and complexity.
“It's really not recommended for an emerging artist at this level, we're looking for somebody with a track history of understanding what they're doing, how it works, just because with this kind of a piece, there can be so many components,” Nottingham said.
Nottingham said that projects like this can contribute to the local economy and attract visitors and is excited to see artists’ proposals.
“I want something that I hope will be joyful and bring enthusiasm and a sense of community, …” Nottingham said. “I just can't wait to see what the artists come up with, because they never cease to blow me away with these different ideas and different perspectives they have.”
Submissions for the University Town Center public art project are open until April 30. Additional information and application materials can be found on the Norman Arts Council website.
This story was edited by Madisson Cameron and Macey Thaxton. Lauren Brogdon and Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
