ASHEBORO, N.C. (NC ZOO) — The North Carolina Zoo and North Carolina Zoo Society announce a new public art opportunity for artists and artist teams to design art for the new continent of Asia. With a budget of $250,000 provided through the Zoo Society, this project will join the more than 150 works of art in and around the Zoo.
The first step of the process, the Request for Qualifications, has begun and calls for artists (and artist teams) to submit their qualifications for the design, fabrication, and installation of a permanent outdoor public art project for installation within Asia. The request will run through Feb. 2, 2024.
The art collection at the Zoo includes monumental works ranging from our iconic “Elephant Group,” by Peter Woytuk, welcoming guests as they enter the Zoo, to the “Bridge to Africa,” by Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii, as well as more intimate surprises like our “Preening Heron,” by William H. Turner tucked away overlooking the Swamp. No matter which piece of the collection is on view, the art at the Zoo is intrinsically linked to our guest experience and educational mission.
The focus of the artistic collection within the Zoo is to enhance further the understanding and appreciation of our animals, wildlife, and natural habitat. All professional artists or artist-led teams ages 18 and above are eligible and encouraged to apply.
The project will be a three-phase selection process, including a qualification phase, a design phase, and the final selection phase. The timeline for the project is:
| Request for Qualification Released | November 2023 |
| Request for Qualification Submission Deadline | Feb. 2, 2024 |
| Shortlist Artists/Artist Teams Notified | February 2024 |
| Shortlisted Artists/Artist Teams Proposal Presentations | April 2024 |
| Finalized Proposal Presentation Open for Donor Vote | May 2024 |
| Selected Artists/Artist Teams Notification | May 2024 |
| Contract Executed | May 2024 |
| Artwork Installation | Fall 2025 |
The artwork selected will be installed within Asia, set to open in 2026.
Learn more about the construction of Asia at the North Carolina Zoo here: www.nczoo.org/visit/asia
For more information on this and other public art at the Zoo, visit: https://www.nczoo.org/publicart.
Submit your qualifications by Feb. 2 to the Zoo’s Curator of Design Angela Reavis (Angela.Reavis@nczoo.org).
Source: Press Release – North Carolina Zoo