Arts Commission

The Sammamish Arts Commission serves as an advisory body to the City Council. Their role is to advise on matters concerning the promotion and facilitation of public art in the community.

Open Call for Artists

The Sammamish Arts Commission is soliciting qualifications and proposals from artists interested in providing professional art services for a temporary art sculpture that will be displayed at Sammamish City Hall. The anticipated scope of work includes the design, construction, and disassembly of a temporary sculpture no larger than 10’ x 6’ x 4’. Historically this annual installation has been made of sand, however the Commission is open to proposals of any material that is able to withstand outdoor conditions, is temporary, and will not damage the surrounding area.

Please submit one PDF of no more than 10 pages. All materials must be received no later than Friday, April 12, 2024, at 5:00 pm. View the full Request for Qualifications document here.

Checklist for artists submissions:
• One page artists interest in the project;
• Artists current resume and brief biography;
• Artist’s web site URL – if available;
• Artist’s contact information including phone and e-mail;
• Preliminary design and explanation of how it meets the desired theme; and
• Up to five samples or digital images of artists work related to the project request.

Proposals must be submitted electronically at: 

https://www.jotform.com/sammamish/sammamish-temporary-sculpture

Mission Statement

Integrating art and culture to create a sense of place, civic identity, and unique character.

Guiding Principles

Artistic excellence

We showcase high-caliber local, regional, and national artistic programming that reflects the city’s vision.

Accessibility

We engage with all segments of the city, striving to reach all community members. We aim to create an avenue for artists to bring their creativity to the public.

Collaboration

We are committed to creating alliances and partnerships within and outside Sammamish to promote artistic excellence and accessibility. We work collaboratively with various state, regional, and local agencies to enhance the effectiveness of the arts commission.

Community Design

We focus on nurturing and building “creative capital” locally. The purpose of this is to realize the impacts of the arts in fostering a vibrant social economy.

Diversity

We value diversity in artistic expression. We strive to promote arts as a universal language that binds people from different backgrounds. This breathes life into our communities. 

Leadership

• Barbara Krauss, Position 1 (term ends January 31, 2025)
• Venkat Ramanathan, Position 2 (term ends January 31, 2025)
• Ann Humes, Position 3 (term ends January 31, 2026)
• VACANT, Position 4 (term ends January 31, 2026)
• Vandana Bhupal Verdia, Position 5 (term ends January 31, 2027)
• Ashley Arrington, Position 6 (term ends January 31, 2027)
• Chirag Bindal, Position 7 (term ends January 31, 2028)
• Sudeshna Dixit, Position 8 (term ends January 31, 2028)
• Greg Janky, Position 9 (term ends January 31, 2028)

Meeting Information

The Sammamish Arts Commission meets on the fourth Monday of every month. Agendas and Meeting Minutes can be found on the City of Sammamish CivicWeb portal.