center for the arts | major outdoor art installation
About Center for the Arts
For two decades, Center for the Arts has been the creative heartbeat of Jackson, Wyoming—a campus that provides a permanent home for the valley’s arts and cultural organizations and serves as a vibrant gathering space for community members. Our mission is to connect our creative community by providing a dedicated campus, supporting excellent programming, and nurturing a collaborative spirit. We are committed to ensuring creativity is accessible to all, regardless of background, identity, or ability.
About the Site
The Center Park is an expansive green space—formerly a high school football field—on the south side of The Center’s campus, framed by views of Snow King Mountain and steps from downtown Jackson. Works should complement, not constrain, the park’s flexible use for diverse summer events. The sculpture is meant to enhance these events and provide opportunities for further public engagement.
Center Campus Outdoor Installations
The Center campus has hosted a variety of outdoor installations over the past 20 years in different scales and locations, featuring local, regional, and national artists. Currently on view is Finders Keepers, a large-scale, site-specific willow-branch installation created by Patrick Dougherty with the help of community volunteers in the summer of 2022. A smaller-scale work on our Cache Street sculpture pad is Bixby the Elephant by HACER. Examples of past nationally-recognized artists include Matthew Day Jackson, Eduardo Navarro, Glenn Kaino, Anna Tsouhlarakis, Ati Maier, and James Luna. We also proudly feature the work of local and regional artists on our campus on a regular basis.
For this project, we are focused on The Center Park and anticipate the de-installation of the Patrick Dougherty sculpture in fall 2026 to make room for a new, prominent installation in 2027.
Project Details
One artist or team will be selected to create an outdoor installation unveiled in 2027 as part of The Center’s 20th anniversary celebrations. The work must be four-season durable, capable of withstanding mountain weather and heavy snow loads. The anticipated display term is three years (through 2030), although shorter-term and/or permanent proposals will also be considered. Ideas for community engagement opportunities and/or an artist residency program related to the piece are welcome.
Project Goals
Engagement: Encourage exploration and discovery through a visually compelling design.
Beautification: Elevate The Center Park as a year-round canvas for creativity.
Vibrancy: Add daily energy to The Center campus.
Community Connection: Inspire interaction and shared experience.
Durability: Withstand long mountain winters for multiple seasons.
**Anticipated Timeline (**Timeline subject to change)
April 2026 – Formal proposals requested from finalists (honorarium provided)
April 30, 2026 – Final proposals due
May 2026 – Finalist interviews; site visits conducted as needed
June 2026 – Artist/artist team selected and contract awarded
Fall 2026 – Pre-installation planning and permitting
Winter 2026/Spring 2027 – Fabrication
Spring/Summer 2027 – Installation
September 2027 – Unveiling and community celebration