The City of Pflugerville seeks to purchase existing, original sculpture works of art or commission new original sculpture works of art by professional visual artists or artist teams for installation at various city facilities. The sculptures must be suitable for an outdoor environment. For interested professional artists, please submit your existing original works of art for consideration and/or design proposal(s) for new original works of art, resumes, references, and statements of interest in completing this project.

Project Goals and Objectives

Pflugerville endeavors to create a public art collection that represents the community’s values, diversity, and multicultural heritage and expresses the City’s vibrant identity and character to foster a distinctive and appealing place to live and visit. This project is intended to beautify and add character to Downtown Pflugerville as well as other city facilities.

The artwork should be inspiring, thought-provoking, and/or simply Pfun for residents and visitors to enjoy. The art theme is open.

Project Location & Artwork Specifications

General Specifications

• The artwork must be durable and have no points or sharp edges than can pose a hazard to pedestrians.
• The artwork must be made of durable materials suitable for outdoors that can withstand Texas summer heat.
• The artwork is recommended not to exceed 200 lbs.
• The artwork shall be mounted on a concrete pad unless an alternative is provided within the design concept or recommended by the artist.

Best Little Plaza in Texas & Development Services Center (Location Specific)

• The artwork may occupy an area of 5’ x 5’ and must be contained within those dimensions. A sidewalk is nearby the installation site(s); therefore, the sculpture must be very durable.

Library

• The artwork locations vary in size and context.

(Images of Proposed Sculpture Locations)

Budget

The maximum budget for this project is $10,000 per sculpture, which includes all costs associated with the project, including, but not limited to, artist design fees, materials, supplies, fabrication, delivery, installation, and insurance for delivery and installation. However, based on the nature of this call for art, the City is amenable to some flexibility on this item. If a development permit is required for the installation of the artwork (e.g., concrete pad), the City will waive the development permit application fee.

Evaluation Criteria

Preference will be given to artists or artist teams who have prior experience in the creation of public art sculptures.

Selection of an artist, or artist team, will be based upon:

• Artistic merit of the design and ability as evidenced in images submitted;
• Originality of the design;
• Concept promotes themes stated in project scope and goals;
• Artist’s qualifications;
• Previous experience in the development and installation of similar public art projects;
• Proven ability to work on similar projects and similar budgets;
• Experience working with materials suited or adaptable to an outdoor environment;
• Appropriateness of the design for the location, including the scale, content, color, and design in relation to the site.
• Demonstrated ability to meet project deadlines and to produce work in a timely and professional manner; and
• Quality and completeness of the submission.

Selection Process

Submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by a selection committee comprised of City staff. The semi-finalist(s) will be notified in accordance with the timeline provided below. For artwork proposed at the Pflugerville Public Library, City staff will forward the respective semi-finalist(s) to the Library Board for review and consideration. For artwork proposed in the Best Little Plaza in Texas, City staff will forward the respective semi-finalist(s) to the Parks & Recreation Commission for review and consideration.
 

Timeline (Subject to Change)

March 8, 2023 - Deadline for submitting proposals
(April) - Notification of Finalist(s)
(May) - Consideration by Board/Commission, as applicable
(June) - Execution of contract/purchase
(Flexible timeline for art completion/installation)

Application Requirements

Submission Requirements

• Artist(s) resume and letter of interest statement.
• Three (3) References: Names, professional titles, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references who can speak to the artists’ experience and past public art projects.
• Existing artwork for purchase or optional general design concept for new sculpture(s).
• In the submissions for proposals, the Artist(s) shall provide the purchase price for existing artwork or the proposed budget amount for new artwork, if proposed. (Budgets and pricing should be all-inclusive, which should be itemized in terms of artwork creation, delivery, installation, and travel; however, the City is amenable to some flexibility on this item.)
• Examples of other relevant works and/or reviews of similar work. Maximum of 20 images.

Eligibility Criteria

Artist Eligibility

All sculptural artists are encouraged to apply. Artists must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Artists/ Artists Teams must be at least 18 years of age and reside within the United States.
• Artists must complete the application on the CaFE website platform.
• Sculptures suitable for the outdoors are acceptable.
• Artists must be able to ship the artwork.

City of Pflugerville employees, City Council members, Board/Commission members, and their immediate family members are not eligible for participation.