Instructions and Information:  The Clive Parks, Recreation and Public Art Board invites you to apply to participate in our annual Art Along the Trail public art exhibition – a temporary outdoor exhibit, displayed outdoors along Clive’s landmark feature, the Greenbelt Park and Trail system, from April through November. This call to artists provides an opportunity for artists to submit 3D artwork for consideration. A selection panel will choose nine original pieces from the applications received.

Artists retain ownership of their work and agree to loan it to the exhibition. Selected artists will receive a $1,000 stipend for the loan of their 3D artwork. There is no application fee. The City of Clive reserves the right to photograph and reproduce images of the artwork on exhibition for promotional and educational purposes.

Instructions on how to apply are found at the end of this document.

Applications must be received or postmarked by Friday, December 13, 2024

Works will be selected by a panel comprised of City and community representatives. The panel will use the following selection criteria:

Required Artwork Characteristics:  Suitability for family viewing
Display of high-quality technical skill, imagination, and innovation
Suitability for outdoor display in adverse weather conditions
Soundness of construction, durability and safety of artwork
Desirable Artwork Characteristics

Easily visible from the trail
Kinetic, optical effects, dynamic shapes, unique approach to display
Artwork that is participatory
Artwork that is whimsical, uplifting, and creative
Location of Artwork

The nearly 12-mile Clive Greenbelt Trail winds its way along Walnut Creek, through scenic, heavily-wooded areas. The trail connects to the 57-mile Raccoon River Valley Trail and the greater Des Moines area trail systems.

Installation:  Artists are responsible for all costs, equipment and labor necessary for the delivery, installation and removal of their work and assume all risk and damage to their work before and during installation and during and after removal. The sculptures will be insured by the City of Clive up to the purchase value of the sculpture after installation and while on exhibition. A level, 4×4 foot concrete pad, some with an anchored 3×3 foot steel plate will be provided for securing the sculptures.

Artwork must be in place by April 1, 2025.

Work not suitable for installation on a concrete base/steel plate, will be addressed on a case-by-case basis with the artist. Lighting and power will not be provided at the locations. Artists affixing their work to a steel plate will do so with locking bolts to prevent tampering or removal of the artwork by non-authorized parties.

Sales:  Each selected piece of artwork will have a pre-determined sale price (up to a maximum of $15,000). The City of Clive may purchase one or more of the exhibited artworks for placement at permanent locations throughout the City. If chosen, the artist agrees to sell the artwork to the City for the pre-determined purchase price noted on the application. The $1,000 stipend provided to the artists will be credited against the purchase price for 3D artworks selected. Artwork must remain on display throughout the duration of the exhibition.

The City of Clive will promote the fact that all artworks are for sale to non-City entities. If a piece is purchased by a private buyer, 5% of the total purchase price must be paid to the City.

Project Timeline

Call to Artists Issued November 2024
Applications Due Friday, December 14, 2024, 5 p.m. CST
Selection Panel Deliberations Late-December 2024
Public Art Commission Approves Recommendation Early January, 2025
City Council Approves Recommendation Mid-January, 2025
Selection Notifications to Artists Mid to Late January, 2025
Signed Contracts Due Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Council Approves Contracts Thursday, February 20, 2025
Installation May Begin at Assigned Site(s) Thursday, March 1, 2025
(Those needing assistance need to arrange a time during regular Parks and Recreation business hours.)
Delivery and Installation of Artwork Deadline Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Artwork Can Begin to be Picked Up Starting Saturday, November 1, 2025
Deadline for Removal of Artwork Saturday, November 30, 2025

The City of Clive reserves the right to change the project timeline.

Three Ways to Apply (separate applications for each piece, up to three pieces allowed per artist):

Complete the process electronically by clicking the online application link above; OR
Print the paper application found at the link above and return it with all required documents via email to [email protected]; OR
Print the paper application found at above and return it with all required documents to:
Art Along the Trail Applications
Attn: Tiffany Belieu, Administrative Assistant, City of Clive
Leisure Services Department
1900 NW 114th Street
Clive, IA 50325