Arts Commission approves new art installation in Montopolis

The Arts Commission approved the prospectus for a new art installation at the site of a new Austin Convention Center warehouse and marshaling yard in Montopolis as part of its Art in Public Places program. AIPP uses 2 percent from capital improvement project budgets to commission local artists to create public artworks. The Austin Convention Center Department initiated the construction of the warehouse and marshaling yard for off-site storage and to alleviate downtown traffic after City Council approved the land acquisition in 2017. AIPP is now seeking a local artist to create a permanent art installation on the outside of the warehouse or elsewhere on the site. The prospectus states that only low-maintenance, durable projects will be considered. The total artist contract awards $100,000 for the project, which comes from 2 percent of the Convention Center Department’s capital improvement budget for the warehouse and includes the fees for design, fabrication, installation and other project-related costs. Artist submissions close in September and the Arts Commission’s tentative schedule expects for the project to be installed in July 2021.