SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — The City of Spokane and Spokane Arts is launching a three-year pilot Asphalt Art Program to create visual interest and slow down vehicular traffic in Spokane.
Local talented artists who are passionate about transforming public spaces through creativity and making an impact in the community are encouraged to apply to the program.
Under the program, each of the 29 neighborhoods will be able to commission an intersection art piece, which can include a variety of subjects. Some subjects include the neighborhood council logo, mascot and Spokane icon, to mention others.
The program is funded by revenue generated from tickets from Photo Red and Speed Radar cameras. Applications are being accepted through July 31 and people can apply here.
The program was approved last fall by the City Council. Artwork will be painted directly on the street surface in a residential intersection. Neighborhoods, the City and Spokane Arts will decide where each piece of asphalt art will be displayed.
Neighborhood councils can apply for a location to have asphalt art painted and select an artist from the roster in a few weeks.
“We want to make sure that neighborhoods have a good selection of artists before we open up applications for an intersection art piece or crosswalk,” Shelby Allison, Asphalt Art Manager for Spokane Arts, said.
Once artists are on the roster, if chosen by a neighborhood, each artist will work with the neighborhood to create a final design.
“Asphalt art represents about 6% of the annual traffic calming revenue and is one of the traffic calming strategies," Annie Deasy, Community Programs Coordinator in the City’s Office of Neighborhood Services, said.
The first intersection art piece that was recently painted as part of the program that has $972,750 is near the entrance of Riverfront Park on Spokane Falls Boulevard. The goal is for the remaining art pieces to be in residential areas and preferably not on bus routes.
Here are some criteria for eligibility:
- Willingness to be flexible with design in order to incorporate community input
- Previous experience with mural or asphalt painting is required
- Artists must be 18-years-old or older
- Have been the lead artist on at least one mural project or assisted on at least three mural projects in the past
- Be willing to work with a neighborhood council to create a final design that is approved
- Be able to install the design during specified time frames determined by project stakeholders (including the artist) and traffic control
- Participate in all project preparation and clean-up activities
- Submit a signed contract and W-9 form prior to starting the project
The project is part of the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming program.
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