Robinson Park Recreation Center Capital Public Art Project Underway, Artist Sought

Work is underway in finding a California-based artist or team who will create permanent public art at Robinson Park Recreation Center, a multipurpose recreation center which offers an array of activities for Pasadenans.

The Cultural Affairs Division of the Planning and Community Development Department recently announced that the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) applications for the Robinson Park Recreation Center Capital Public Art Project are now available online.

The applications opened last February 22 and will close on Thursday, April 7, 2022. Interested applicants should visit https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=9602

During the Arts and Culture Commission meeting on Thursday, March 10, city public art manager Corey Dunlap explained the ongoing selection process for the project’s artist to the commissioners.

He said after the deadline of application, the artist section panel will conduct a preliminary ranking and review of all of the applicants and after a series of selection panel meetings, identify finalists that they will want to invite for interviews.

According to Dunlap, the artist or team will be selected based on the quality of their past work and their ability to create art that reflects the local history of Northwest Pasadena.

At the final stage, at least four artists will be asked to present a very brief presentation on their practice. To conclude the selection process, the panel will identify a primary and alternate artist for the commission.

“The alternate artist is just in the event that the primary artist is not able to complete the commission or something falls through, we like to have a backup just in case,” said Dunlap.

The panel’s decision will be forwarded to the Arts and Culture Commission for review and recommendation. Thereafter, the city staff will execute an agreement with the artist for the artwork.

Dunlap said the panel is expected to come up with a decision no later than June while the commission is expected to decide by July.

After the agreement is completed, the artist or team will engage with the community through a series of workshops and events and thereafter submit a proposed artwork concept to the Arts and Culture Commission for review.

The City’s Capital Improvement Public Art Program mandates that one percent of the City’s Capital Improvement Program budget be allotted for artwork.

According to Dunlap, a budget of $200,000 is earmarked for the development and implementation of the Robinson Park Recreation Center Public Art Project.

The public art project is “intended to enrich community life, engage a wide spectrum of Northwest Pasadena’s residents, and enhance the visual character of the neighborhood,” according to city staff.