Orange County Fire Rescue Training Center Public Art—RFQ

11104 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32822 (Full Site Plan)

Deadline:  September 27, 2022 (mid-night MT)

Request for Qualifications

Budget: $96,000

Project Description

The Orange County Public Art Review Board seeks one or more artists or artist team(s) to develop artwork for the entrance of the Fire Rescue Training Center being constructed in Orlando, Florida. The facility itself is intentionally tucked behind tree lines, fencing and a security gate, and hidden from the road. It includes an artistically designed building for classrooms and meeting spaces where recruits will learn new skills, as well as a training field to put into practice what they have learned.

The Orange County Fire Rescue Training Center is not for public use, but requires a ‘statuesque but not ornate work of art’ to serve as a landmark for the entrance into the Facility. The art should be mission focused, to serve the citizens of Orange County saving lives and property.

Possibilities for Public Art include, but are not limited to:

• free-standing sculpture that includes artistic signage
• decorative fencing or wall
• free-standing sculpture
• artistic signage

Background

Orange County is a rapidly growing metropolitan area of more than one million residents that contains the City of Orlando and a dozen other municipalities.  We are a minority majority community with over 160 languages spoken in the public schools.  A recent study indicates that by 2030 Orlando may be the most diverse major metro area in the world. The county values innovation, collaboration and inclusion.

Site (Full Site Plan)

The installation site is 20’ x 25’ area on the right side of the road as you enter.  Entrance signage can be part of the proposal, but is not required. Artist coordination with developer is required. Instillation and opening scheduled for August 2024.

For site specific information, please contact Dawn.Knight@ocfl.net.

Budget

$96,000 has been approved for artwork.  The selected artist(s) or team(s) will be awarded a comprehensive contract (or contracts).  The artist will be responsible for artwork design, fabrication, materials, installation, insurance, travel, public presentations, meetings with Orange County staff as necessary, identification plaque, and all related incidental expenses.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to professional artists working in any appropriate media.  Student artists may apply if they can secure an experienced public artist to serve as a mentor to oversee their work.

Selection Process

A selection panel consisting of the project manager, stakeholders and art professionals will review artists’ qualifications.  Several artists will be selected to provide proposals and will be paid a stipend of $1000 each for their proposal.  Final artist(s) selection will take place after review of the proposals.  The Arts & Cultural Affairs Director serves as the non-voting Chair of the Selection panel.

The Public Artist Selection Panel and Orange County reserve the right to reject any or all applications, proposals, applicants or projects, and to modify or terminate the application process or the selection process for any reason and without prior notice.

Selection Criteria

Artists will be evaluated on artistic excellence as evidenced by submitted materials; professional experience; compatibility with the architectural design, facility environment and values of the county and this particular community.

Application Requirements

• Experience with public art projects with a similar budget is not required but helpful.
• Professional resume (teams must submit resumes for each member).
• Letter of interest, outlining interest in the project and a preliminary statement of approach.
• A minimum of one (1) image is required, and the maximum is 6. Images of finished works or conceptual drawings can be submitted. If images submitted are not of a completed public art work, provide additional information to assure the Selection Panel of ability to realize a public art project and that it will be completed and installed as designed.
• Selected artists must complete W-9 Vendor Registration Form and will receive payments by check.

Timeline:

• Call Release:  Friday, August 5, 2022
• Applications Due:  Tuesday, September 27, 2022 (mid-night MT)
• Finalists Selection:  Friday October 7, 2022
• Proposals Due:  Sunday, December 4, 2022
• Proposal Review:  Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 3PM
• Notification of Acceptance:  Thursday, December 8, 2022
• Installation: August 2024

Contact

For further information contact Dawn R. Knight, Public Art Coordinator, Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs. Dawn.Knight@ocfl.net, 407-836-5540.

The mission of Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs:  "To elevate Central Florida’s arts and culture to that befitting a diverse world-class community."

About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park and an expanding creative community. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.

Application Requirements

Application Requirements

• Experience with public art projects with a similar budget is not required but helpful.
• Professional resume (teams must submit resumes for each member).
• Letter of interest, outlining interest in the project and a preliminary statement of approach.
• A minimum of one (1) image is required, and the maximum is 6. Images of finished works or conceptual drawings can be submitted. If images submitted are not of a completed public art work, provide additional information to assure the Selection Panel of ability to realize a public art project and that it will be completed and installed as designed.
• Selected artists must complete W-9 Vendor Registration Form and will receive payments by check.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to professional artists working in any appropriate media.  Student artists may apply if they can secure an experienced public artist to serve as a mentor to oversee their work.