Call Detail
Linn County: Wickiup Hill Learning Center Exhibit Gallery
Entry Deadline: 5/11/12
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements Images:5

Call Type: Unspecified
Eligibility: Unspecified
State: Unspecified

Request for Artist Qualifications
Linn County Public Art Commission
Percent for Art Project

The Linn County Public Art Commission is seeking qualifications from artists for artwork to be incorporated into the Wickiup Hill Learning Center Exhibit Gallery.

BACKGROUND
The Linn County Public Art Commission was established in 2010 by an ordinance adopted by the Linn County Board of Supervisors to direct funding for the inclusion of works of art in County capital improvement projects. The Commission, overseen by the County’s Board of Supervisors, is responsible for the planning, commissioning, and acquiring of all artwork in Linn County capital improvement projects. The mission of the Linn County Public Art program is to enrich the lives of local citizens and visitors by integrating public art into County planning, services, design and infrastructure.

DESCRIPTION OF OPPORTUNITY
The Linn County Public Art Commission invites artists to submit their qualifications for consideration for the following opportunity:
Wickiup Hill Learning Center
Educational Exhibit Introduction Gallery

The Wickiup Hill Learning Center is a nature center developed and managed by the Linn County Conservation Board. The current building opened in 2002 and is about 9,000 sq. ft. The Conservation Board’s environmental education staff has offices in the building and, in addition to offices, there are two classrooms and a small number of educational displays. The Conservation Board is currently constructing an addition to the Learning Center which will add nearly 4,000 sq. ft. of educational exhibits. The addition will also house the department’s office staff and a tornado safe room.

An artist will be commissioned to create a three-dimensional suspended art piece which blends into the exhibits and becomes part of the entrance and introduction gallery to the exhibits. Please see the attached PDF file for a rendering of the gallery design.

The educational exhibits in the expanded exhibit area will be focused toward younger, school -aged children. The three exhibit galleries are “Life Along the River,” “Nature Is Fun,” and “Everyone Lives In A Watershed.”

Project Goals
• Be in harmony with the introduction of the exhibit gallery’s central theme and subthemes.
• Blend into the exhibit environment and aesthetically enhance the building.
• Add to the overall experience of being at the Wickiup Hill Learning Center.

Budget
$19,000 including design, fabrication, and installation.

SELECTION PROCESS

Eligibility
This Request for Qualifications is open to all professional artists and artist teams.

Only the first 200 applications received will be accepted. Linn County is not required to make selections from the submissions if, in its opinion, qualifications are not appropriate.

Review Process
A selection panel will review qualifications for each project and select up to 3 finalists for each project who will be asked to develop concept proposals. A proposal fee of $500 will be paid to each finalist. Finalists will make proposal presentations to the selection panel via conference call.

The selection panel will include members of the Linn County Public Art Commission, a representative from the architectural firm working on the facility, a member of Wickiup staff or management team, and community stakeholders, including a member of the public who represents the building’s users. The final recommendation of each panel must be approved by the Public Art Commission and the Board of Supervisors.
Selection Criteria
• Artistic excellence as demonstrated by past work and the submitted qualifications and as shown in the concept proposal and interview.
• Understanding of the project and ability to create an artwork that responds to the goals of the project.
• Availability to meet the project timeline.
ANTICIPATED TIMELINE
• Review qualifications and select finalists – by June 1, 2012
• Finalist proposals – July 6, 2012
• Commissions awarded – late July 2012
• Facility opening – fall 2012 (anticipated)

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Artists must submit the following:
• A typed Letter of Interest. This letter should not exceed three (3) pages and should briefly address how you would approach the call.
• Current artistic Resume, no longer than three (3) pages.
• Five (5) DIGITAL images of previous artwork, including title, medium, dimensions, brief description, location, date of work, and budget or price for each image.
• The names of three (3) references with current contact information including phone numbers and e-mail addresses

Deadline:
Artists must submit their qualifications by May 11, 2012; however, the call will be closed once 200 submissions are received.

For questions specific to the content of this call please contact Barbara Schmitz at barbara.schmitz@linncounty.org.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria