Lighting/Shadow/Sound Art Opportunity- Racoon River Valley Trail Underpass

The City of Waukee seeks an artist or artist team to develop, design and install permanent public artwork using light, shadow or sound on the interior sides of the Racoon River Valley Trail pedestrian/bicycle underpass near NW 20th Street and Douglas Parkway. The work should celebrate Waukee's vibrancy and diversity and create discovery, surprise, imagination and emotional connection. The preliminary project budget is up to $30,000, inclusive of project costs, with the final budget determined after selection. Three finalists will each receive a $500 stipend to refine their proposals. Project completion is planned for Summer 2027.

Light, shadow or sound; celebrating the vibrancy and diversity of Waukee.

Geographic eligibility is listed as Midwestern States, United States. Artists or artist teams must have completed two commissioned indoor or outdoor public works of art valued at least $25,000 each, demonstrate understanding of Waukee's unique character, and be able to participate in a virtual interview if needed. Preselection site-visit travel costs are not covered. The tunnel dimensions are 12'-0" X 10'-0" X 164'-0". Artwork must be one cohesive, original work in concept, composition and execution, suitable for public viewing, permanent and made to last. It should be colorful, eye-catching, high-impact, engaging, low-maintenance, durable, aesthetically and photographically pleasing, and appealing day and night in all seasons. The artist is responsible for necessary underpass-wall preparation and for developing, designing and installing the work. The preliminary maximum project budget is up to $30,000 and includes design fees, travel, materials, wall power washing, priming and other site preparation, fabrication, documentation, transportation, installation, subcontractor work, maintenance and honorariums; the final budget will be determined after selection. Three finalists will each receive a $500 stipend to refine their proposals before a final interview; one artist or artist team will be commissioned. Submit digital materials in a single PDF, with work-sample JPEGs optionally supplied separately: contact information for the artist and all team members; a one-page letter of interest and design approach addressing eligibility, community engagement and project criteria; one-page biographical information or resume for lead artists, including one paragraph for each team member of an artist-led team; contact information for three references from recently completed projects of similar scope; 3–5 work samples of projects completed within the last five years, with up to three digital images per project, saved as standard JPEGs and labeled with the applicant's full name and sequential number matching the work-sample list; a one-page list describing each work sample and its budget; and no more than three pages of initial concepts, which may include sketches, images and text. Selection criteria also specify 1–4 color sketches or design concepts, quality of the letter and samples, project understanding, ability to meet the schedule and consideration of project criteria. Email all materials to Nick Osborne, Assistant City Administrator, at nosborne@waukee.org with “RRVT Underpass Lighting Project” in the subject line. Materials must be received by 4:30 p.m. CST on November 2, 2026; late submissions will not be accepted, and receipt will be acknowledged by email. Finalists are scheduled to be announced November 20, 2026, presentations in December 2026, and project completion in Summer 2027. The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.