Sac International Airport Opens Call for Artists

Two of the most loved visuals at the Sacramento International Airport (SMF) are pieces of public art: "Leap," the giant red rabbit jumping through the glass ceiling of Terminal B and "Samson"the whimsical stacks of luggage located in Terminal A baggage claim.

The County of Sacramento is now inviting artists and artist teams residing in the United States to submit their qualifications for four major public art projects at SMF. This call is for the first four artwork opportunities, with artwork budgets ranging from $500,000 to $1.75 million.

The four projects are part of the $1.3 billion expansion program, collectively known as SMForward, that will reshape SMF to accommodate projected passenger growth. The SMForward expansion represents a historic opportunity to integrate art into the traveler's experience while reinforcing and contributing to the Sacramento region's identity.

"The art on display at our airport is beloved by the millions of travelers we serve," said Cindy Nichol. Director of Airports. "We are inspired by this historic opportunity to commission new large-scale public art and hope artists will be equally inspired by the possibilities here."

Three primary opportunities for art will be in the new pedestrian walkway, which will break ground this summer and connect Terminal B and Concourse B.

As travelers make their way between Terminal B ticketing and Concourse B security and gates, the entryways of the pedestrian walkway on either side hold key positions for works of art to welcome guests. As portals to the next stage in a traveler's journey, these sites can use captivating visuals to draw them forward.

This call also includes artwork for the exterior of a new garage, a canvas with five potential locations for art. The new garage will have approximately 5,500 parking spaces, be six stories high, and be visible to travelers from nearly a quarter mile away as they approach the Terminal B entrance by car.

Artists may apply for one or more of these projects. The deadline for submissions is May 7, 2024.
Applications can be filled out online here. ​

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