Site Details
Clearwater Fire Station 46
534 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater, FL 33767

Artwork possibilities:
Sculpture

Project Description
The Clearwater Public Art & Design Program seeks an artist or artist team to develop artwork for the newly constructed Fire Station 46 in Clearwater Beach, Florida. The fire station is located just steps from Pinellas County’s top tourist destination, Clearwater Beach. Being located at such a popular site, the fire station receives thousands of visitors from around the world every year. The city is looking for an engaging sculpture to add to the visitor experience. The sculpture will sit in front of the fire station next to a busy sidewalk and commuter street. The structure should also contain a lighted element, either beneath the base of the sculpture to illuminate from within or uplighting so passersby can enjoy the sculpture in the day or night.  Themes and topics suggested but not limited to fire elements, water elements, and/or fire station patches that firefighters exchange with other city and state fire departments.

City Background
The city of Clearwater is a vibrant coastal community of approximately 115,500 citizens located on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Clearwater is a progressive city that is committed to enhancing residents’ lives while preserving a heritage that is rich in culture and exquisite in landscape. Located approximately 30 minutes from both Tampa and St. Petersburg, Clearwater enjoys immediate access to natural amenities such as the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, and cultural offerings from a variety of museums, galleries, concert venues and theaters. Clearwater Beach is consistently voted one of the best beaches in the U.S. and brings in millions of visitors from around the world annually.

Site (Site Elevation Plan)
The sculpture will be placed in front and slightly to the south of the fire station. Designs can range in size, but the base should not exceed 5’x 5’ or 7’ in dimeter. Maximum height is 25’ with the base.  Please keep in mind daily Florida heat can exceed 90 degrees in the summer, sometimes with 100% humidity. Our area also has weekly thunderstorms in the summer as well as occasional tropical storms and hurricanes. Structures should be designed and built to withstand the elements (with the exception of hurricanes).

Budget

$75,000

The selected artist, or artist team, will be awarded a comprehensive contract. The artist will be responsible for artwork design, fabrication, materials, installation, insurance, travel, public presentations, meetings with City of Clearwater staff as necessary, identification plaque, and all related incidental expenses. 

Selection Process
A selection panel consisting of the City of Clearwater Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator, a Clearwater Fire Department representative, as well as local art professionals, and community representatives who will review artists’ qualifications. Three artists will be selected to provide proposals and each artist will be paid a stipend of $500 for their proposal. Final artist selection will take place after review of the artist proposals.

The City of Clearwater reserves the right to reject any or all applications, proposals, applications, 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 evident by submitted materials; professional experience; compatibility with the architectural design, facility environment and values of the City of Clearwater and Clearwater Fire Department.

Timeline

• Submittals due: Friday, July 28, 2023
• Panel review by: Friday, August 11, 2023
• Selected finalists notified by: Friday, August 18, 2023
• Final proposals due by: Friday, September 1, 2023
• Artist selected by: Friday, September 22, 2023
• Artwork installation: 2024
  • Timeline subject to change
    
    
     

Application Requirements

Submittal Requirements

• Experience with public art projects with a similar budget and scope preferred
• A minimum of two (2) images is required with a maximum of ten (10). Images of finished works or conceptual drawings can be submitted. Wherever possible, provide images of completed project to assure the selection panel of your ability to realize a public art project that will be completed and installed as designed.

Please submit the following items contained in a single PDF or Microsoft Word document:

• Professional resume to include examples of past work and references.

Please submit the following items contained in a single PDF or Microsoft Word document:

• Letter of Interest

Eligibility Criteria

This opportunity is open to professional artists residing in U.S.