By Amanda Butler | [email protected]

Midvale - The Redevelopment Agency (RDA) of Midvale is looking for Utah artists to create a public art installation in the Bingham Junction project area, located on the west side of the city. The area consists of 390 acres that have undergone significant redevelopment since 2009.

“The vision for this program is to have submissions from all of Utah,” Annaliese Eichelberger, redevelopment project manager for Midvale, said.

The 2016 Call for Artists requests project proposals that include “two aesthetically pleasing, imaginative, and iconic monument signs that will be welcoming features for the City of Midvale.” The two installation locations will be located along 7200 South and 7800 South, east of the Jordan River.

“Public art is a key element to placemaking in a community,” Eichelberger said. “Placemaking is important in residents having pride in the place they live. The RDA is excited to help in the beautification of Midvale.”

In order to help beautify the Bingham Junction area, “the winning proposal must make a strong visual statement and use modern form and materials to create unique signage that establishes a sense of place.” The art installation should also reflect Midvale’s cultural diversity, meet all public safety standards and be constructed from weather-tested materials. 

The Bingham Junction area currently “includes housing, retail, open space and a corporate office park.” The RDA has created the Bingham Junction Public Art Program “to provide opportunities to integrate public art into private developments or public space within the project area.”

“One of the main goals for the project area is to ensure the long-term physical and economic vitality in the project area,” Eichelberger said. “Commissioning these welcome, gateway features to Midvale helps guide people to the area in a creative way.”

“The 2016 Call for Artists is the agency’s second public art offering,” Eichelberger said. “The agency believes that establishing gateways into Midvale can be artistic and helpful at the same time. This is the agency’s first commission of these types of welcome features. The 2015 public art piece, entitled ‘Rock Blossom’ is under construction near the Jordan River and FLSmidth, and is slated for completion by the first of March. When UTA expanded service and put in a station at Bingham Junction, the city, in conjunction with UTA, did an art installation on the platform.”

This public art program is managed and funded by the RDA. “However, since the RDA and the city share the same city council and board of directors, the city is involved as well,” Eichelberger said.

A design advisory board consisting of residents, RDA staff and a city council representative will select the winning proposal. Board members have been selected for their expertise related to the project and their willingness to serve the community. The design advisory board will make recommendations to the RDA regarding final approval on artist selection for each public art project.

Depending on the scope of the project and associated selection process, the design advisory board may select a short list of semifinalists who will be invited to interview and present a full proposal.

The total budget for this project is $80,000 including design, supplies, fabrication, installation and travel.

The application deadline is April 1, 2016, with a selection meeting scheduled between April 25 and April 29, 2016. Installation of the art project is expected to occur no later than Aug. 19, 2016.

More details about this project, along with application instructions, can be found at www.midvalecity.org.