Call Detail
Application Closed
Number of Applications Allowed: 2
Images | Minimum:Min. 6, Maximum:Max. 6
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 6, Maximum:Max. 6
Eligibility: National
State: Alaska
Budget: BUDGET This commission is for one award with a total artwork budget of $16,000. There are two location options within the front lawn area that are available for proposal development under this commission: location 1, Front Lawn – Exterior of Entry Portico; location 2, Front Lawn - Open. Budgets are to cover all costs associated with the commissioning of artwork, including but not limited to design, fabrication, any travel and accommodations, transportation, installation, photographic documentation, catalog documentation and an identifying plaque. Any permitting, or engineer fees required must be paid by the artist. Any structural or engineer fees for approved structure modifications, must be paid by artist. State laws related to public construction, including licensing, insurance, bonding, and payment of prevailing wage rates, may apply.
MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE
Request for Proposals
Public Art Program | Public Works
PO Box 196650
Anchorage, AK 99519-6650
(907) 343-6473
Anchorage Senior Center
Deadline for Entries: November 3, 2023, 11:59 PM MST
Contact: Curator of Public Art, Public Art Program, (907) 343-6473
Amount of Commission: $16,000
Eligibility: Open Entry | National
Code
In accordance with AMC 7.40, the Municipality of Anchorage is inviting qualified artists to create public artwork proposals for the Anchorage Senior Center’s newly renovated facility, located in Anchorage, Alaska.
Project Information
The Anchorage Senior Center construction was completed in Spring, 2023. The installation of artwork will be coordinated with the Curator of Public Art and the Anchorage Senior Center.
Site Description
Under this request for proposals, the Art Selection Jury intends to commission one work of art totaling $16,000 to be permanently installed at the newly renovated facility. There are two location options available for proposal development under this commission opportunity. Both locations are within the facility’s front lawn. Location 1 is situated near the exterior of the entry portico on the front lawn. Location 2 is centrally located on the facility’s front lawn with visibility from roadway traffic and neighborhood residents.
The mission of the Anchorage Senior Activity Center is to enhance the quality of life of Alaskans by promoting fitness, health and wellness, and social interaction. The Senior Center’s purpose is to improve living conditions for the elderly by providing seniors with access to services and information key to senior living, health, and housing. Anchor-Age members enjoy other benefits such as crafts, arts, computers, and fitness instruction. Members can also take advantage of recreational pursuits such as billiards, cards, dancing, monthly birthday party, and other social events.
Learn more about the Anchorage Senior Center here: https://www.anchorageseniorcenter.org/
The Anchorage Senior Center is located at 1300 East 19th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
Past additions and renovations to the Anchorage Senior Center have resulted in the commission of: Northern Migration, by Bill and Clarissa Hudson, a suspended glass bead installation depicting migrating birds in flight.
A location guide and street view are available from the following links:
Location guide:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/8eg4a0aijyp1ho1thg9is/hrlkey=531776wwk2hsmug99iamub6fz&dl=0
Street view:
LOCATIONS
Location 1:
Front Lawn – Exterior of Entry Portico
The Anchorage Senior Center’s front lawn is used for a variety of events as well as seating area for residents and community members. Exterior of the entry portico is a landscape bed area furnished with bench seating. While this area is connected to the front lawn it is visually separated from Location 2 by trees and landscaping. The quiet area offers opportunity to enjoy nearby activities from a distance while taking in the surrounding landscaping.
For this location, the Art Selection Jury is interested in seeing proposals for sculptural forms that respond to topics outlined in the Themes section below.
Location images can be found at the following link:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/t02xpowx86fqx0ta9z44l/h?rlkey=oj4eulu2sh5sh6cufs62a27av&dl=0
Location 2:
Front Lawn – Open to artist proposal
The Anchorage Senior Center’s front lawn is used for a variety of events as well as seating area for residents and community members. The lawn is ringed with well-tended landscaping and a central open area for events.
Rather than identifying a specific site within this location, artists are encouraged to propose concepts situated to activate the space. Please identify in your written concept your preferred placement within the lawn area and reasoning. The Art Selection Jury is interested in seeing proposals for artwork that are distinctive and distinguished and spark joy. Artists should consider the scale of the surrounding area in relation to proposed work and ensure that artwork will not impede events on the lawn. While there are no limitations on mediums or types of art, suggested areas of investigation include:
- Two-dimensional vertical panels
- Abstract sculptural forms
- Architectural pavilion forms
- Light-based or light responsive work that introduces color and vibrancy
Location images can be found at the following link:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/b7p8zacr4mks7ss3vvfki/h?rlkey=0o6m0ofwiypqbqdybt8nh1hlb&dl=0
The Art Selection Jury is interested in seeing proposals from artists or artist teams and welcomes proposals for more than one location. Proposals for each location should be submitted separately.
THEMES
The overarching themes discussed by the Art Selection Jury focus on gardening and finding beauty in nature. Successful proposals will be both thoughtful and whimsical, providing enjoyment to residents, visitors, and the surrounding community. The jury is interested in seeing works that spark joy while being distinctive and distinguished. Works that reference, represent, or depict flora and fauna and incorporate an appreciation for the outdoors are encouraged. *Please no moose, they eat the gardens!
The garden themes that define this call are inspired by Master Gardener Bonnie Tisler, who passed away on Feb. 8, 2022. Volunteering thousands of hours, Bonnie oversaw the design and transformation of the Senior Center’s gardens. Artwork commissioned through this call will add to the welcoming character of the facility and the contributions and tireless support from committed community members such as Bonnie.
REQUIREMENTS
There are no restrictions on style or the design of artwork, but the proposal must provide assurance that the artwork will be durable and routine maintenance requirements will be minimal. Also, surplus materials (2%) will be required for future maintenance needs, if appropriate. The installation must be permanent and must be designed to last the life of the facility. This is an earthquake area and artwork needs to meet standards in the IBC 2018 building code as amended by the Municipality of Anchorage. All commissioned artwork is subject to municipal permitting requirements, and any such requirements must be met prior to artwork installation.
Artists are required to submit the following items:
1. Six digital images from your artist portfolio should be loaded into CaFE (callforentry.org) following the guidelines on that site.
2. Each image should be identified with title, materials, dimensions, and value.
3. Current 1-2 page resume, including 3 professional references.
4. Your artist statement should include a description of why you are interested in or particularly qualified for this project. Your statement should also address any experience or work sample deficiencies in relation to your chosen medium.
5. A brief conceptual proposal which identifies location, medium, and thematic relevance.
BUDGET
This commission is for one award with a total artwork budget of $16,000. There are two location options within the front lawn area that are available for proposal development under this commission: location 1, Front Lawn – Exterior of Entry Portico; location 2, Front Lawn – Open to artist proposal. Budgets are to cover all costs associated with the commissioning of artwork, including but not limited to design, fabrication, any travel and accommodations, transportation, installation, photographic documentation, catalog documentation and an identifying plaque. Any permitting, or engineer fees required must be paid by the artist. Any structural or engineer fees for approved structure modifications, must be paid by artist. State laws related to public construction, including licensing, insurance, bonding, and payment of prevailing wage rates, may apply.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Artists will be selected to develop proposals with the project team based on:
Artistic Merit as evidenced by representation of relevant past work in images.
Appropriateness of the artist’s medium, style and previous experience in relation to the project goals and setting.
Experience with projects of a similar scale and scope including familiarity with the public art process, the public review approval process, and/or collaboration with high schools, design agencies, and art selection juries.
Artists must have good communication skills and be able to work with diverse community members.
The program goal to reflect a diversity of artists and media through representation of new and traditional artforms practiced in local, regional, national, and international arts communities in a range of style, scale, media, form, and intent. Artists with no prior public art experience will be seriously considered. Artists with strong bodies of work, with little public art background are encouraged to apply and will be given equal consideration.
ART SELECTION JURY
Rebecca Parker, Executive Director of the Anchorage Senior Center, represents the facility on the Art Selection Jury. Holly Chowning with Burkhart Croft Architects represents the Design seat on the jury; Tracy Mears is the Director of the department of Risk Management and represents the Municipality of Anchorage alongside Jennifer Noffke, Project Administrator with the department of Project Management and Engineering. Katherine Severin is Associate State Director of Communications for AARP Alaska and represents the Anchorage community with Keelin Baughman, artist and 15-year resident of the Fairview community; Tim Taber is an interdisciplinary artist working with the Alaska Botanical Garden. Non-voting members include Gideon Gerlt, the Curator of Public Art and Stanford Longan, Project Manager with the department of Maintenance and Operations for the municipality.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Requests for additional information may be directed to the Curator of Public Art, Municipality of Anchorage, Department of Public Works. The telephone number is (907) 343-6473, email – gideon.gerlt@anchorageak.gov. The Public Art Program for the Municipality of Anchorage can be found on the web at:
https://www.muni.org/Departments/Public_Works_Administration/PublicArt/Pages/default.aspx
Application Requirements
REQUIREMENTS
There are no restrictions on style or the design of artwork, but the proposal must provide assurance that the artwork will be durable and routine maintenance requirements will be minimal. Also, surplus materials (2%) will be required for future maintenance needs, if appropriate. The installation must be permanent and must be designed to last the life of the facility. This is an earthquake area and artwork needs to meet standards in the IBC 2018 building code as amended by the Municipality of Anchorage. All commissioned artwork is subject to municipal permitting requirements, and any such requirements must be met prior to artwork installation.
Eligibility Criteria
Open Entry, must be a US resident, currently residing within the US