Public Art Prospectus
This Request for Proposals (RFP) project competition is open to all professional public
artists or artist teams, including those who are new to the field of public art, working
within Athens (defined as: within reasonable distance from the city ~30 mi in radius)
The City of Athens will receive nearly $4.2 million in grants from the Ohio Department of
Transportation (ODOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to improve traffic
safety at the intersection of Richland Avenue and State Route (SR) 682, and to improve
the bridge over the Hocking River. In 2003, this intersection was identified 78th on Ohio's
high crash list. As a result, an intersection safety study was funded by ODOT in 2005
that identified the need for safety improvements. The City of Athens, cooperatively with
ODOT, has now entered the process of developing a plan for the construction of such
improvements. The alternative selected includes a roundabout intersection to replace
the current signal, a complete redecking of the bridge, and a shared-use path that
conveys bikes and pedestrians through the intersection and across the river completely
separated from traffic. As part of this project enhancement funds can be allocated for
the creation and installation of public art.
Art as defined by the Percent for Art committee: At its core art is a product of human
creativity that is aesthetically pleasing and can encompass diverse methodologies and
mediums. Art can refer to the visual arts including: Painting, sculpture, architecture,
photography and can encompass applied arts that may include architecture and
landscaping and decorative arts that may be functional in nature. Above all any work
that falls within the definition of Art as the committee must exhibit quality of concept,
execution and craftsmanship.
