I.         Introduction

Artists are invited to submit qualifications for exterior art (minimum of 25 years lifespan) for the City of St. Petersburg Sanitation Department Headquarters, a new construction project (the “site”).  The site of the new construction is located on 28th Street North at 20th Avenue North where two existing buildings will remain active through  construction but will be demolished following construction of the new building.  Completion is expected Spring/Summer 2023.

The Project Committee seeks artists to design, build and install artwork that could reflect the history of the department.   The site for artwork is set back from 28th Street with the artwork located towards the front of the to-be-built building.  This will create an opportunity for the artwork and the building to visually complement each other.

Low maintenance installations are encouraged. Any installations must withstand the Florida humidity, salt air, hurricane force winds, possible inundation by salt water, strong UV rays, and potential unsupervised contact with children and adults. The City of St. Petersburg will install up to a 100-square-foot concrete pad if required.  Proposals may require electric wiring.    Conduit, if required, would be funded by the construction budget.   All lighting fixtures, themselves, would be funded through the artist budget.  Self-contained, solar-powered proposals would be preferred.

II.         Background about the Site

The City of St. Petersburg Sanitation Department headquarters is home to the department’s 190 employees as well as many visitors to the department.  The site is located on a major north-south corridor in the city.  The entire complex includes not only administrative offices but space for fleet vehicles and storage as well as container storage.  The entire complex is named for an historically significant man named Joe Savage. 

The existing buildings on the site will be demolished once the new building is completed and be replaced with additional parking.  A large and landscaped parking lot will be located between the new construction and 28th Street.  The new LEED certified building will feature a terrace roof, office space and services for the department’s 190 employees. 

Artists are asked to specifically pay attention to the history of the department with particular attention paid to the Sanitation Strike of 1968 as well as the patented innovation of the 90 gallon trash container that is easily accepted by the city’s side-loading refuse trucks.  

Further information regarding this innovation can be found here:

https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/01/21/cadillac-of-cans/

Further information regarding the Sanitation Strike may be found here: 

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Petersburg_sanitation_strike_of_1968

More information about Mr. Savage can be reviewed here:

https://theweeklychallenger.com/i-am-joseph-e-savage/

A general overview of the department can be reviewed here:

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/stpete/Residents/gng/Good%20Neighbor%20Guide%20to%20Trash%20and%20Recycling%202022%20(One-Sheeter)%20front%20and%20back%2006%20no%20crop.pdf

 III.         Opportunities for Art

The area designated for art is in the front of the new construction building and will be laid mostly to lawn.  The project committee will consider artwork that will be contained in this area (see drawing) and may be placed on a concrete plinth, shelled, or rocked ground or raised above the lawn.  The artist would work with the architect early in the process to ensure the correct foundation for the artwork is included in the building budget.  A cement slab measuring up to 10’ by 10’ (or 100 sq. ft.), if required, would be provided by the construction budget.  Anything larger than this and the cost differential would be provided out of the art budget for the additional square footage.  The entire square footage of the proposed area is 276 sq. ft. and measures 12’ x 23’.

IV.       Application and Selection Process

 Applications will be reviewed by staff for eligibility and completeness. Eligible applications will be reviewed by the Project Committee consisting of up to nine members.

Up to three (3) finalists will be selected to prepare a site-specific proposal to be presented to the Project Committee. A design honorarium of $1,500 will be offered to each finalist to complete their project proposal along with budget details and a fabrication and installation plan.

To be considered, please submit the following required items:

1. A resume that identifies your experience and your legal street address.
2. Three (3) .jpg files of your work that would be most relevant to the project.
3. A Letter of Interest with one or two paragraphs stating your interest and your potential thematic concept.

Only submissions made through the CAFÉ (Call for Entry) portal will be considered.  Please submit required items online through the CAFÉ system by Friday, September 16th at 5PM.   

V.         Eligibility

1. Artist must have experience with 2D art or 3D art in public spaces, galleries, or museums.
2. Artist must be based (have legal residence) in the 48 contiguous United States or the District of Columbia.

VI.       Project Schedule 

(The City reserves the right to alter these dates and modify these procedures as the City deems necessary)

1. Application Deadline: September 16, 2022 at 5PM EST
2. Project Committee Reviews Applications and selects three finalists: October 2022
3. Finalists make presentations to Project Committee/Artist selected: December 2022/January 2023
4. Install art on site: Summer to Fall 2023

VII.     Criteria for Selection of Finalists 

The Project Committee will select up to three (3) artists as finalists to create a proposal, based upon the following criteria:

1. Quality and strength of past work as demonstrated in the submitted application materials.
2. Statement of potential thematic concept.
3. Ability to design, fabricate, and install art of a similar scale.

Application Requirements

To be considered, please submit the following required items:

1. A resume that identifies your experience and your legal street address.
2. Three (3) .jpg files of your work that would be most relevant to the project.
3. A Letter of Interest with one or two paragraphs stating your interest and your potential thematic concept.

Only submissions made through the CAFÉ (Call for Entry) portal will be considered.  Please submit required items online through the CAFÉ system by Friday, September 16th at 5PM.   

Eligibility Criteria

1. Artist must have experience with 2D art or 3D art in public spaces, galleries, or museums.
2. Artist must be based (have legal residence) in the 48 contiguous United States or the District of Columbia.