PHASE I SOMA WEST IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: ART ENRICHMENT

SOMA West Improvement Project Artist Selection Process
The Arts Commission is in the planning stage for the inclusion of public artwork in the Department of Public Works’ Phase I SOMA West Improvement Project.  The project area community is invited to participate in the planning and artist selection processes over the next three months.  The public art plan will specify the site or sites for artwork, the artist’s scope of work, and the budget and selection method.  The plan will be submitted for approval to the Commission’s Visual Arts Committee at its regular meeting at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15.  The meeting is located at 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70, on the lower level.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Art Advisory Meeting
Thursday, April 9 from 6:30-8 PM – LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street
We are seeking community input on the art plan prior to its approval by the Commission.  At this meeting, members of the public will discuss the goals and vision for the plan as well as various options for artist selection.  The meeting will culminate with selection of two members of the community to participate in the Artist Selection process.

Selection of Community panelists
Project area residents, workers, and future park users interested in nominating or participating on the SOMA West Improvement Artist Selection process will complete the attached questionnaire and submit it to the Arts Commission offices by noon on April 9.  Applications are also available here.

Depending upon the approved public art plan, community panelists may attend several meetings.  Panelists will be compensated for their service.  The Commission may appoint an independent selection panel made up of up to seven members, including the Department of Public Works project manager and landscape architect, two community panelists, two Commission-appointed arts experts, and an Arts Commissioner.

Artist Selection Panel meeting – Round One
Thursday, June 25 from 9 AM- 3 PM – 25 Van Ness, Suite 70 (lower level)
During this meeting, panelists will assess the qualifications of each artist from images of past work and other application materials and vote on the three semi-finalists.

Semi-Finalist Orientation meeting (optional)
Early July
The semi-finalists will attend an orientation meeting with community representatives, the project landscape architect, and Arts Commission and DPW project managers to discuss the art opportunity and community interests for the street.  Based on information obtained at the orientation meeting, the three artist finalists will prepare artwork proposals, which will be on public display for five to seven days in late July for written public comment.  Comments will be forwarded to the panelists prior to their final meeting.

Artist Selection Panel meeting – Round Two
Thursday, July 23 – 25 Van Ness, Suite 70 (lower level)
Finally, the selection panel will reconvene to interview the three finalists and select one of the three proposals for implementation as part of the SOMA West Improvements.  The panel’s recommendation will be sent to the Arts Commission for final approval.

All Commission meetings, panel meetings, and the orientation meeting are open to the public.