CALL FOR ARTISTS APPLICATION

DEADLINE:  Friday October 13, 2023 by 12:00 p.m. (PST)

Submit online via CaFÉ at  www.callforentry.org

The City of Mountain View Visual Arts Committee (VAC) seeks to commission an artist, or an artist team, to create the design and commission for public artwork for Villa-Chiquita Park at 1720 Villa Street. Artists must provide a resumé, examples, and a final design proposal as part of their application.

All associated costs to visit Villa-Chiquita Park and/or Mountain View, prepare and submit a proposal, or to attend the VAC meeting shall be borne by the artist.  Applicants should only submit applications directly through the callforentry.org website; no other form of application will be accepted.

The City intends to bid the construction of the new park in Spring 2024 and complete construction in Fall 2024. The expectation is for the art to be installed by the artist during the construction phase of the park.

APPLICATION

Applications will be accepted from:

12:00 noon (PST), Monday, September 25, 2023

through

12:00 p.m. (PST), Friday, October 13, 2023

APPLY EARLY

Applications will not be accepted after 12:00 p.m., Friday, October 13, 2023.

ELIGIBILITY

The call is open to all professional artists/artist teams over the age of 18 residing in the state of California.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

All applications must be submitted online via CaFÉ at  www.callforentry.org, an online application system for calls for entry.  There is no charge for artists to apply or use CaFÉ.  Applications that are mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered will not be considered, as this is an online system.

All applications should include the following:

• Artist Resumé
• Signed Application Checklist (see Request for Qualifications, Attachment 1)
• Five (5) to seven (7) images of artworks completed within the past five years.  All artwork images must be examples demonstrating the artist is capable of creating and commissioning durable artwork adequate for the outdoor elements (i.e., sun, rain) and a public setting. Images of current artwork must include annotated descriptions.  Please include:  art title, date the art was created, dimensions, type of media, and location of the installation (address, city, state). For team application, please indicate the lead artist for each project.
• Proposal: Please include a final proposal. The proposal should include the artwork design, location, artwork medium type, and estimated time to commission the artwork.
• Artwork Fee: Provide the total fee for the artwork, including design, fabrication, transportation, loading and unloading costs, structural engineering design, calculations, and installation.
• Building Permit Fee: Depending on the artwork type, a building permit may be required. The artist is responsible for obtaining the building permit. The permit fee will be paid by the City.
• Structural Engineering Design: Depending on the artwork type, a structural engineer may be required to provide plans and calculations for the building permit. The artist is responsible for obtaining services of a licensed structural engineer. Cost for services of a structural engineer shall be borne by the artist and included in the cost of the proposed art.

All applicants should allow adequate time to submit their applications. To get additional assistance using CaFÉ, please contact WESTAF by calling 303-629-1166 or via e-mail at cafe@westaf.org.

SELECTION

The jurying process will begin October 16, 2023 through the VAC.  The VAC will review and jury all proposals.  Once the VAC selects the finalist(s) (November VAC Meeting), the Mountain View City Council will give the final approval of the budget.  Finalist(s) will be contacted regarding next steps, including an agreement with the City of Mountain View (see Sample Agreement). Finalist(s) will also be required to obtain a business license and insurance (requirements are noted in the Sample Agreement).  Selected artwork is to be installed in Summer 2024.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Background

Mountain View is in the heart of Silicon Valley and at the center of the technology industry, covering 12 square miles and is home to almost 83,800 residents, many nationally and internationally known corporations, and a thriving small business base. Located 10 miles north of San Jose and 35 miles south of San Francisco, the central location provides easy access to the entire San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California cities.  Mountain View prides itself on having attractive and well-built residential communities served by neighborhood parks and playgrounds, recreational facilities, quality education, and convenient shopping.

Over the years, the City has instituted a public art program and built a collection of public art using public/private partnership, community involvement, and some public funds. A major component of this program is a City policy known as the Two Percent for Art Program which requires that two percent of all major City capital improvement projects over $1 million be spent on public art related to the project.  This program is administered by the Visual Arts Committee (VAC), a seven-person, City Council-appointed advisory committee that will recommend public art to the City Council, whose decision is final.

The identified ten locations for art provide for the potential to have art integrated into the play area (nature themed), allows for art to be standalone within the lawn, and/or art incorporated into fencing or seating areas.  The Parks and Recreation Commission had suggestions for public art including:

• A Mexican-American theme
  • Due to community interest during park naming process to name the park after a local social club named Club Estrella, and council approving historical information signage to be installed at park referencing Club Estrella
• A star theme, as “Estrella’ translated from Spanish means star
• Integrated into the park’s perimeter fencing
• As art and play piece

Project Budget

The VAC is requesting proposals where the artwork, including all costs associated with production, installation, and permitting, totals $28,000.

The VAC is open to selecting multiple art installations and/or multiple artists.  For example, the VAC may select two art installations from one artist and one art installation from another artist.

Project Site

The proposed 0.39-acre park site located on 1720 Villa Street. On June 13, 2023, the City Council approved a Conceptual Plan and selected the park name “Villa-Chiquita Park.”  See Site Details:  Villa-Chiquita Park —Art Opportunities. 

The Conceptual Plan includes the following:

• Lawn
• A central plaza area with a specimen tree
• Nature-themed playground
• Entry plaza into raised crosswalk
• Picnic Tables and Benches

The identified ten locations for art provide for the potential to have art integrated into the play area (nature themed), allows for art to be standalone within the lawn, and/or art incorporated into fencing and seating areas. Please state clearly in proposal the intended art placement and form.

Application Requirements

• Artist Resumé
• Signed Application Checklist (see Request for Qualifications, Attachment 1)
• Five (5) to seven (7) images of artworks completed within the past five years.  All artwork images must be examples demonstrating the artist is capable of creating and commissioning durable artwork adequate for the outdoor elements (i.e., sun, rain) and a public setting. Images of current artwork must include annotated descriptions.  Please include:  art title, date the art was created, dimensions, type of media, and location of the installation (address, city, state). For team application, please indicate the lead artist for each project.
• Proposal: Please include a final proposal. The proposal should include the artwork design, location, artwork medium type, and estimated time to commission the artwork.
• Artwork Fee: Provide the total fee for the artwork, including design, fabrication, transportation, loading and unloading costs, structural engineering design, calculations, and installation.
• Building Permit Fee: Depending on the artwork type, a building permit may be required. The artist is responsible for obtaining the building permit. The permit fee will be paid by the City.
• Structural Engineering Design: Depending on the artwork type, a structural engineer may be required to provide plans and calculations for the building permit. The artist is responsible for obtaining services of a licensed structural engineer. Cost for services of a structural engineer shall be borne by the artist and included in the cost of the proposed art.

Eligibility Criteria

The VAC will evaluate applications on the following criteria:

• Originality of artistic style (past work)
• Type of artwork proposed
• Ability of the artwork to withstand outdoor conditions
• Maintenance requirements
• Artist’s experience with public art commissions and working within the public process
• Artist’s experience with art projects of a similar size and scope.