#

Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs Release Date: Jan. 5, 2010 Press contact: Lori Patrick, Public Relations Manager 206-684-7306 (phone) - media inquiries only, please do not publish lori.patrick@seattle.gov<mailto:lori.patrick@seattle.gov> Seattle seeks artist for new First Hill Streetcar Artist will create artwork during construction of line to begin in 2011 SEATTLE- Seattle's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), seeks an artist to develop site-integrated artwork for the First Hill Streetcar, a new two-mile Seattle Streetcar line serving the Chinatown/International District, First Hill and Capitol Hill neighborhoods. The selected artist will work with SDOT staff and consultants from the early stages of design through construction. The artist's artwork and design enhancements will be incorporated during construction of the streetcar line. The design should include reproducible or repeating elements and components that contribute to the overall identity of the streetcar. The call is open to professional artists residing in the United States. The total project budget is $600,000 and includes design, fabrication, installation, travel expenses and taxes. Application deadline is 11 p.m., Monday, Feb. 22 (Pacific Time). A link to the online application and guidelines is available at www.seattle.gov/arts<http://www.seattle.gov/arts>. The Seattle Streetcar network is a developing transportation system designed to carry people to and from neighborhood business districts and Seattle attractions. The first line in the new network-the South Lake Union line-opened in December 2007. In 2008, the Seattle City Council approved a resolution that supports streetcar network expansion and identifies the lines for the First Hill and Central neighborhoods as top priorities for expansion. Construction of the First Hill line will begin in 2011 and end in 2013. The project will connect the Chinatown/International District station to the future Capitol Hill light rail station via First Hill. Along with neighborhood businesses, the line will serve Harborview Medical Center, Swedish Medical Center, Virginia Mason Hospital, Seattle Central Community College and Seattle University. The First Hill Streetcar project is fully funded through the voter-approved sales tax measure for Sound Transit expansion, known as ST2. In November 2008, voters in the Puget Sound area approved ST2, the mass transit expansion plan for the region. This measure builds on the Sound Move plan approved in 1996 to expand light rail, commuter rail and express bus service. Sound Transit is transferring funds to SDOT to build the First Hill Streetcar. It is estimated the streetcar line will cost $125.8 million to build. The artwork will be funded with SDOT 1% for Art funds generated by this project. The city's public art ordinance specifies that 1% of eligible city capital improvement project funds be set aside for the commission, purchase and installation of artworks in a variety of settings. The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs promotes the value of arts and culture in communities throughout Seattle. The 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council, supports the city agency. # # #