City of Sugar Land, Texas
Request for Qualifications

The city of Sugar Land, Texas requests artists or artist teams to submit a statement of qualifications, letter of interest and other materials for a sculpture to be displayed at Sugar Land Fire Station 3.

Total artwork budget for this project is $23,000.

GOALS

Goals for this project include: 

• Drawing visitors to the city of Sugar Land from the Houston metro area and beyond,
• Boosting the social media presence for Sugar Land’s artwork,
• Beautifying the city for residents to enjoy, and
• Honoring the history and service of Sugar Land’s Fire Department

THEME AND ARTWORK LOCATION

The theme for this sculpture should be inspired by the unofficial motto for the Sugar Land Fire Department:

“We’re Part of the Community, and the Community is Part of Us.”

The location for the sculpture is Sugar Land Fire Station 3 at 2255 Settlers Way Boulevard, Sugar Land, TX 77478.

Artists should refer to the attached site plan under "View Site Details" for an image of two potential artwork locations at Station 3. The goal of this project is to place site specific artwork either directly on the indicated street-facing exterior  wall (Location A) or on the ground in front of the station (Location B). Artists/Artist Teams may submit up to (2) separate RFQ applications, one for each targeted Location for which the artist would like to be considered. Artists should not submit multiple applications for the same Location. All proposed artwork shall be original and site specific.

CONSIDERATIONS

• Sculpture design should reflect the specified theme and subject matter, although the artwork is not required to represent the text of the motto directly.
• For a sculpture to be installed on the exterior brick wall (Location A), materials should be durable but lightweight. Sculptures must adhere to the wall’s structural and geotechnical capacities, as determined by a licensed structural engineering firm. These specific capacities and analysis will be provided to artists selected to advance to the Phase II RFP stage for Location A.

MEDIUM

Artists working in any medium are eligible to apply. We are especially interested in innovative work for this project that is as unique as our community.

Application Requirements

LETTER OF INTEREST

Applicants should briefly describe their interest in the project, experience in the proposed medium, and include a description of how their work could be used to meet the goals of the program. Letters of Interest are limited to two (2) pages.

PROJECT BUDGET

The artist’s budget will include: all artist fees and costs associated with design, fabrication, travel, transportation to the site, site preparation, insurance, permits, installation, shipping and transportation of materials to the site, protective coating (if applicable), any equipment needed for installation, any applicable taxes, time spent in progress meetings, and any other costs incurred by the artist for this project.

Artists will be required to participate in one Meet the Artist type event.

Artists reaching Phase Two of the competition will be asked to develop an all-inclusive itemized budget as part of the proposal submission.

DURATION AND DISPLAY

Work should be able to withstand the Houston climate, which includes severe weather. Intended display period is a minimum of five years, with a longer display period preferred should the work remain in good condition. However, the work may be removed at any time at the discretion of the city of Sugar Land.

TWO-PHASED ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS

PHASE 1- RFQ
Applications will be juried by a panel comprised of local residents, art professionals and stakeholders. Artists may submit up to (2) applications for consideration, one for each potential Location (A or B). Two applications are not required for consideration, however, and artists may choose instead to submit one application for either of the proposed artwork sites. Artists should not apply more than once for the same Location. However, if an artist should choose to submit a second application, the same work samples may be submitted for both.

Entries will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Artistic Excellence: The artist’s body of work reflects artistic excellence, innovation, and originality as evidenced by quality of craftsmanship and mastery of skills and techniques; demonstrates professional approaches to processes and presentation; and/or communicates a unique vision or perspective.

Professional Experience: The artist’s professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project, including a proven ability to meet project budgets, deadlines, and to perform work in a timely and professional manner. Public art experience is required.

Experience working on a project of similar scale: Previous work that can specifically demonstrate the successful completion of projects that include partnering with stakeholders for the purpose of creating public art of this size/scale. Experience with public engagement.

The number of selected artists moving on to Phase 2 will depend on the quality of the proposals received.

PHASE 2-RFP
Artists/Artist Teams selected to move on to Phase 2 will be asked to develop a detailed proposal for their proposed work(s). Depending on which Location(s) the artist applied for during the RFQ stage, it is possible for one artist to be selected to propose two separate designs in the RFP stage, one for each Location (A and B).

In collaboration with the artist(s), City staff will provide all pertinent project information, which may include a briefing on the structural analysis of the load-bearing wall as applicable, as determined by a licensed structural engineering firm. If applying for multiple Locations, the artist’s proposal shall furnish an itemized budget for each space.

Depending on the Location(s) for which they are selected, artists will be paid a stipend of $500.00 for (1) design or $750.00 for (2) designs upon submission of all required materials, including a detailed description of materials, maintenance plan and installation schedule for each design submitted. 

Applications will be juried by a selection panel and then reviewed by staff from city departments including economic development, engineering and planning.

More detailed instructions will be provided to Phase 2 artists at the time of notification; however, artists can expect for proposals to be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Artistic Excellence: The proposed work reflects artistic excellence, innovation, and originality as evidenced by quality of craftsmanship and mastery of skills and techniques; demonstrates professional approaches to processes and presentation; and/or communicates a unique vision or perspective.

Safety/Suitability/Viability: Proposed project meets city safety guidelines, is suitable for the site, and artist has demonstrated ability to complete the project.

Economic Impact: Potential project specifically addresses how it meets the program goals.

TIMELINE

July 29, 2022                          Request for Qualifications (RFQ) issued

August 29, 2022                      RFQs due at 11:59 p.m. MST

September 2022                      Applications reviewed Phase 2 artists notified.

September 29, 2022                Request for Proposals (RFP) released for Phase 2 artists

October 28, 2022                    Phase 2 proposals due by 11:59 p.m. MST

November 2022                      Proposals reviewed

December 2022                       Contracts issued, Fabrication begins

March 2023                             Target project completion date

Note: Should changes to the timeline become necessary, artists will be notified in writing or, in the case of the RFQ, the information will be posted on CaFÉ. However, artists should assume all deadlines are firm.

Eligibility Criteria

Artists 18 years of age or older are invited to submit an individual or collaborative artist application. Sugar Land city staff and their family members, as well as selection panel members and their families, are not eligible to apply.