Friday, December 13
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North Carolina Zoo Announces Call for Artists: Artwork for New Asia Region

“Elephant Group,” by Peter Woytuk located at the NC Zoo Entrance (Acme News Archive)

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 ReleasedNovember 2023
Request for Qualification Submission DeadlineFeb. 2, 2024
Shortlist Artists/Artist Teams NotifiedFebruary 2024
Shortlisted Artists/Artist Teams Proposal PresentationsApril 2024
Finalized Proposal Presentation Open for Donor VoteMay 2024
Selected Artists/Artist Teams NotificationMay 2024
Contract ExecutedMay 2024
Artwork InstallationFall 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