15 Jul Native Flower Inspired Sculpture at the Salvation Army Kroc Center Augusta
The Greater Augusta Arts Council, on behalf of the Kroc Center Augusta and funded by the Georgia Rehabilitation Institute, is requesting proposals from qualified sculptors or artist teams to create a unique, durable, low-maintenance, meaningful, and beautiful sculpture to be placed at the east entrance to the Kroc Center Augusta at 1833 Broad St. Augusta, GA 30904.
The purpose of the sculpture is to tie in with the flower themed sculptures along the nearby Augusta Canal and welcome visitors into the Kroc Center. The proposed location is a prominent point where visitors enter the Kroc Center Campus. The GIS coordinates to pinpoint the location on Google Maps are 33.48416º N, 81.99204º W. Google maps will show a tree on the location. This is an old image. The tree is no longer there. This is where the sculpture will be installed.
The location will include a 5′ round cement sculpture pad. The base of submitted sculptures must not exceed 5′ wide. The round concrete pad is 5′ wide, 6″ deep with rebar 12 inches on center, 2″ above ground grade. Concrete was pressurized at 3000 psi. Artists will be required to install their work properly and securely on the provided pad.
The sculpture is intended to last for 50 years minimum in good condition, with minimal maintenance, and to incorporate and interpret the themes flowering plant life native to Augusta, GA.
Every artist who applies for this call is strongly encouraged to research the history, purpose, programs, scholarship, and physical grounds of the Salvation Army Kroc Center and Georgia Rehabilitation Institute to gain a better understanding of the partners involved in this project. Artists are also encouraged to research flowering plant life native to Augusta, Ga to act as inspiration for their sculpture proposal submission. The Georgia Native Plant Society is great research starting point.
Selected artists will receive a stipend of $15,000 to cover all expenses associated with the envisioning, creation, transport and installation of the sculpture, and any and all other expenses the artist might encounter.
Installation: Winter 2025 / 2026
Georgia Rehabilitation Institute:
This sculpture call is made possible by a generous grant from Georgia Rehabilitation Institute, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation that serves to better the lives of persons with disabilities and the elderly population in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). To increase access to the arts for those without easy access to indoor art installations, GRI will support the fully accessible installation of public art in Augusta, GA. This request for proposals is part of the Kroc Center’s long-term plans to increase accessibility to its campus, and its desire to incorporate public art into its site.
Artists may apply up to 5 times with separate proposals. Please do not submit different concept proposals in one application. Each application must be for one, individual design. Applications that contain multiple proposal designs will be disqualified.
The Salvation Army Kroc Center Augusta:
A faith based non-profit with 501-c3 status, The Salvation Army Kroc Center of Augusta is a dynamic community center dedicated to nurturing individuals of all ages in arts, athletics, and holistic well-being. Their center offers a range of facilities, including an Indoor Water Park, Theater, Banquet Hall, Classrooms, Conference Room, fitness center, and gymnasium, providing a diverse array of opportunities for personal growth and enrichment.
The Kroc Center offers many free and affordable programs for both members and non-members alike. Additionally, they provide membership scholarships to low-income individuals and families, ensuring that everyone in our community has access to their resources.
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
The Greater Augusta Arts Council:
We serve as a resource for Augusta’s arts community and help connect arts lovers to the events and programs they are passionate about. Founded in 1968 by the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce, the Augusta Junior Woman’s Club, and the Junior League of Augusta to serve as an umbrella organization for the arts in Augusta, we have taken an active role in supporting Augusta’s cultural identity. We currently act as Augusta’s Public Art Agency, and also administer grant arts funds from the City of Augusta through the City Arts Grants Program.
We organize opportunities and events for both artists and art lovers, including the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival, a 2 1/2 day celebration of the varied arts and cultural diversity that make up Augusta. Other events and outreach programs we produce are: Aspirations workshop series, the annual Wet Paint Party and Sale, and the annual Augusta Arts Awards.
We have an active Facebook page, a comprehensive arts calendar and three websites with community arts resources: AugustaArts.com, ArtsintheHeart.com and AugustaSculptureTrail.com.
Augusta, Georgia:
Augusta, Georgia is the third largest city in the state of Georgia with approximately 200,000 residents, and around 500,000 in the larger metropolitan area, which spans both sides of the Savannah River, into South Carolina. Augusta was established as a strategic trading city along the geological “fall line” of the Savannah River.
The climate in Augusta, GA is generally lovely, ranging from an average 45 degrees in winter to 82 degrees in summer. It does reach freezing temperatures for a few days a year, and can reach the high 90s/early 100s in summer. It is often humid and does receive strong thunderstorms and the occasional tropical storm winds. Most recently, the city was greatly impacted by 100mph winds caused by Hurricane Helene in 2024. Any outdoor sculptures must be made to withstand the full range of weather for at least fifty years.
Selection:
All individual pieces will be scored by a panel of jurors closely involved with the project, including leadership at the Kroc Center Augusta, GRI and Arts Council. The top scoring proposal will be offered the project, and upon confirmation by the artist, contracts will be finalized between the Greater Augusta Arts Council and the artist. If the selected artist declines, or a contract cannot be finalized, the next highest scoring proposal by a different artist will be selected.
Selection criteria include:
- Resident of the Regional Southeast of the United States (pass/fail)
- Qualifications and Experience of the artist in creating and installing sculptures in public spaces
- Clarity and Organization of the proposal as a reflection of artist’s professionality and ease of collaboration
- Aesthetic quality of the images presented in the artist’s portfolio of past work
- Aesthetic appeal of the images of the proposed sculpture
- Appropriateness of proposal vis a vis the mission and vision of the Phinizy Center
- Clear plan for installation
- Feasibility of proposal in terms of scope of work in relation to project budget and timeline
- Professional references
Eligibility:
The request for proposals is open to all professional sculptors and artist teams residing in the Southeast region of the United States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee). Proof of residency is required. All members of any team that applies must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the United States. Kroc Center Augusta employees are not eligible to apply.
Sculpture:
The Kroc Center Augusta is seeking proposals for an original sculpture in any media suitable for long-term installation in outdoor public space. All sculptures must meet the following basic requirements:
- The proposed work must be structurally sound and durable, and require little to no maintenance beyond routine cleaning.
- The proposed work must be capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions common to Augusta’s River Region, including hot summers, cold winters, humidity, heavy rain, wind, thunder storms, and occasional snow.
- The proposed work must be suitable for pedestrian interaction with a low exposure to injury. The public must be protected from possible injury from materials and the work must not include sharp or easily climbable parts. If the artwork is a functional piece, such as a bench, made to be sat upon, it must not present a public hazard.
- The proposed work must be in the theme of flowering plant life native to Augusta, GA and cannot conflict with the mission of the Kroc Center.
- The proposed work (and any base) must exist within the following dimensional profile:
5 feet wide base maximum
15 feet maximum height - The proposed work must be of an aesthetic quality that would appeal to a variety of ages and cultural backgrounds.
For more Information visit https://augustaarts.info/Kroc-Center-Sculpture-App