The City of Bremerton seeks artists for mural(s) depicting the rich African American history of Bremerton with a focus on the great Quincy Jones and music. The mural(s) will serve as a capstone to Quincy Square.

 The intention (goal) for the mural(s) is to showcase a group of artists with multi-cultural perspectives.  The art selection committee will select 2 or more artists.  The selected artists will then work with the committee to create a final layout for the mural(s).  The art committee also desires a final work which allows for interaction with the public. This may be accomplished in many ways, including photo opportunities, lesson plans, or supplementary web resources. 

BUDGET:

The total budget for the mural(s) project is $45,500 inclusive of all work including, but not limited to: artists’ fees, final design, wall preparation, insurance costs, studio and project administration, travel, fabrication, all materials, installation, equipment, and required documentation. 

PROJECT SCOPE:

We are seeking the creation of site-specific mural(s) for the exterior of the City owned parking garage located at 405 Washington Ave.  Artists may consider exterior surfaces of the garage on the 4th Street facing side of the garage.  The space includes a large continuous space (approximately 725 square feet) on the west corner of the garage and 4 street level panels that vary in size but are approximately 110 square feet each.  The scope for this call does not include the horizontal facades between the garage floors.  That scope is included in a separate call for creative multi-media solutions, however the artist selected for that section will collaborate with the mural artists to ensure that the overall installation is a cohesive design.   See photos of garage sections below for more detail. Artist is encouraged to visit the site to understand the space and their needs for mural installation.

The Selection Committee may select multiple artists to complete the mural(s) and will allocate space and budget to the selected artists during the project development phase (see timeline).  The final description of the services and/or items to be provided to the City under this RFQ is subject to negotiations with selected artist(s), with final approval to be determined by the City of Bremerton.

MURAL LOCATION:  405 Washington Ave., 4th Street Parking Garage

THE SELECTION COMMITTEE’S GOALS FOR THE MURAL

• Honor Quincy Jones’ legacy and depict how he inspired the world
• Depict the African American history of Bremerton
• Provide an interactive experience and/or engage the community
• Be a cultural cornerstone in Bremerton

QUINCY SQUARE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Quincy Square is a project to reconstruct 4th Street between Pacific Avenue and Washington Avenue managed by City of Bremerton.  Construction of the street improvements will take place in the spring and summer of 2024 and will be dedicated in fall of 2024.  Located in the downtown core of Bremerton, the project is designed to provide the public with a flexible space that will function as a one-way street and then transform into a pedestrian only plaza for events focusing on the arts, entertainment, and community building.  Quincy Square is designed for everyone and every ability. There will be a small stage for buskers and music ensembles.  The new paving will be laid out in a block-long, black and white pattern to mimic a piano keyboard. There will be street furniture, festival lighting, interactive musical equipment, interpretive signage, and art, all making Quincy Square a distinct landmark.  The whole project has been named in honor of Quincy Jones and received Mr. Jones’ blessing to use his name for the project in 2017.  The proposed mural(s) are a key opportunity for Quincy Square to honor Quincy Jones and connect his time in Bremerton with the broader history of African Americans in Kitsap County.

ABOUT QUINCY JONES

As written by Roosevelt Smith for the Kitsap Sun

One of the more significant naming projects in recent Bremerton history is the designation of "Quincy Square" at downtown's Fourth Street. The vision forged by residents and city leaders now calls for a renovated block between Washington and Pacific Avenues, with millions in funding already committed to a vibrant urban gathering place with elements that focus on the arts. It will be built to honor Quincy Jones, and do so with the legendary artist's blessing, after he spent his formative years in the city and went on to greatness in the music industry.

Jones, also known simply as "Q", was born in 1933 on the south side of Chicago, which at that time was known as the biggest ghetto in the world. There, in his youth, he witnessed the killing of teachers and police shooting black teenagers in the back. Every street was a territory which was ran by a gang. Everybody, including Q, carried a switchblade knife for protection. Q felt that if he had stayed in Chicago, he would have been killed due to the violence around him. Luckily, he spent his summers in Louisville, Kentucky, with his grandmother, a former slave, and listened intently to her stories covering her life experiences.

Q's father migrated to Bremerton during World War ll, as did hundreds of other African American families, to work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for the war effort. Q's family was housed in Sinclair Heights, which was segregated, and he attended Coontz Junior High, which was integrated. Bremerton was the opposite end of the spectrum from his experience in Chicago. He described Bremerton as "a nice little town" where he eventually realized that he did not have to carry the switchblade. Q stated that Coontz was a model of racial integration, although various corners of Bremerton had the germs of racial segregation for African Americans.

Over the years Q has told a story of how he would sit in his room and stare out into the Bremerton skies at night, thinking about his dream of becoming a musician.

He also shared the story of the night he and a few buddies broke into the armory in Sinclair Heights. While inside, and as his buddies were taking items, he began to tinker with a piano. It was at that moment the world of music greeted him, he would later say. He knew for sure that music was the key to funnel joy, pain, and happiness to the world. 

Due to the small population of Blacks in Bremerton, Jones struggled to find his identity. He moved to Seattle and was impressed by the number of Black musicians he saw coming through the music circuit, bringing dignity and pride which reinforced his dream of becoming a musician.

Thus began his journey of enlightening the world to his musical talents. In Seattle, he attended Garfield High and later Seattle University on a music scholarship. While there he played with Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton and other great musicians.

His career spans over 70 years in the entertainment industry. He impacted numerous genres of music from Blues to Jazz to Rock and Roll to Classical to Rap to Fusion to Funk. The array of "Masters of Music" for which he composed, arranged, wrote, and orchestrated include Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Brothers Johnson, Lionel Hampton (who incidentally, had the first Rock and Roll Band in America), and to Michael Jackson; the list goes on and on.

He brought distinct American hybrid music that had come from the African American experience, which found itself at the bottom of their souls and came out as music translating pain to joy.

He enlisted an array of musicians representing different genres to record the hit "We Are the World," which raised more than $63 million dollars to raise money for African famine relief. He was a founding member along with Jesse Jackson of Operation PUSH and was instrumental in numerous other fundraising endeavors in the United States and around the world.

Q has been a record producer, conductor, arranger, record executive and songwriter, plus movie director. He has received numerous citations, honors, awards and nominations. He has earned 28 Grammy Awards making him the second-highest winner of all time and has also been awarded an Emmy. He has also graced the cover of Jet Magazine and many other publications. 

His life continues to influence new artists worldwide, which isn't bad for a young man from the south side of Chicago and Bremerton, Washington. A man who went from eating rats with his grandmother to eating dinner with President and Mrs. Obama. As we celebrate Quincy Jones’ legacy, we must return to his definition of his music: "To bridge generations and traverse musical boundaries which transcended language, politics, cultural and racial differences." 

Roosevelt Smith is a trustee on the board of the Kitsap County History Museum, a Bremerton Arts Commissioner, and writes a weekly column for the Kitsap Sun on Black History Month during the month of February. 

Please see resource page for more information on Quincy Jones.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN BREMERTON

We are celebrating not only the life of Quincy Jones, but also the life, arts, culture, heritage, history, and social progress that is the legacy of the African Americans that paved the way for his gifts to take root and grow. The perseverance and strength of Black Leaders in Bremerton and Kitsap County have shaped the community as a whole since the late 1800's. In the 1920's a few African Americans moved to Bremerton to work in the shipyard. During WW2 a large influx of African Americans from all over the US, especially the South migrated to Bremerton to work at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for the War efforts. Due to an uproar from White Citizens not wanting to live by the newly arrived African Americans, the segregated Sinclair Heights Projects were established. Within this bustling community the residents created, social clubs, a house of worship, a US Post Office with Lilliann Walker (Civil Rights Pioneer) serving as Post Mistress and of course the community center where Quincy’s love of music took hold. After the War Sinclair Heights was closed with some of the residents moving to Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle and many remaining in Kitsap County, but the advancements made by that community will live on. 

In 1987, The Kitsap County Black Historical Society was founded to preserve and promote the history and contributions of the Black Community. Since then, the stories and artifacts which have been collected and preserved by the Society have launched numerous exhibitions of Black Excellence including “Remembering Our History and Protecting our Future”, “Over 100 Years (A Story Untold)”, “The Sinclair Park Project”, and “Washington Stories”, among many others. In 2011, an initiative by middle and high school students involved in the Living Life Leadership Program launched a street naming project to honor Dr. Martin Luther King and explored opportunities to also honor Quincy Jones.  By 2015, the group had evolved to become The Living Arts Cultural Heritage Project, which grew to the Living Arts Cultural Heritage Center launching “The Celebration of Hidden History”.  By 2017 the Center partnered with The Smithsonian for the grand opening of The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, where many of the artifacts and histories curated by the aforementioned groups are featured. Now, in 2023, the student-led initiative to honor Quincy Jones is finally coming to fruition with Quincy Square on Fourth Street, coming full circle from those early pioneers who settled the area to build our community.  It is imperative that the Square embodies the rich heritage of contributions that has led to this monument to excellence, for without an understanding of the Black experience, it is impossible to understand American and Kitsap History. 

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process is two stages.  The first phase includes qualifications and narrative about the project.  The second phase will include finalists from the first phase who will provide more detailed submissions and will receive a stipend for their efforts.  City Staff and the Quincy Square Art Selection Committee will review applications for completeness, eligibility, and the ability to meet the committee’s goals and objectives.

 SELECTION CRITERIA

Both selection stages will be evaluated based on:

• The artistic excellence, vibrancy, and originality of the artist
• Selection Committee may consider artist’s experience with public or large-scale mural(s) and/or may request additional information from artist/s regarding ability to complete the project
• The artist’s authentic perspective on and understanding of African American history in Bremerton and Quincy Jones
• Ability to engage the audience of all ages and abilities
• Ability to reflect the inclusive values and ideals of Quincy Jones and how he lived his life
• The feasibility of installation narrative (second phase only)
• Artists from the Puget Sound Region will be given priority

FINAL SELECTION

Artists will be selected by the Selection Committee in February 2024.  The artists will be invited to exchange dialogue regarding the final concept, design intentions, and mural space allocation with the Selection Committee.  The committee may ask artists to collaborate with other selected artists to ensure a cohesive installation and to avoid repetition of themes or images.  Concurrently, the artists will work with the City’s representative on the contracting process.  The Committee will make their recommendations to Bremerton's City Council who will have final approval of the artists selected and contract terms.

BUDGET ALLOCATION

• Each selected artists will receive a $2,500 fee for creation of the final mural design
• Artists selected for wall sections above street level will receive a $8,000 stipend for rental of lift or scaffold equipment
• Remaining budget will be allocated based on the square footage of the mural at a rate of $20.00 per square foot.  This fee will cover all materials, labor, travel, and incidental costs associated with the complete installation of the work.
• Artists will be compensated in two installments.  The first payment, paid upon contract, will include the design fee, equipment stipend, and a negotiated portion of the square footage cost to cover project mobilization and materials.  The second payment will pay the balance of the fee upon final acceptance of the mural installation.

Q&A SESSION

The art selection committee will host an informational session via zoom for interested artists on November 16, 2023 at 6pm PST.  Please email Katie.Ketterer@ci.bremerton.wa.us to rsvp for the session and to request the zoom meeting invitation. 

 TIMELINE (may be adjusted as needed)

October 20, 2023                    RFQ advertisement

December 3, 2023                  Artist submissions due

December 2023                      Review proposals and identify finalists

December 2023                      Contact finalist for mural designs and notify applicants of results

January 21, 2024                     Finalist submissions due

January 2024                           Review finalist submission    

February 2024                         Announcement of artist selections

March 2024                             Design development and contract negotiations

April 2024                               Contract award and approval (City Council)

April 2024 – May 2024           Final preparation to ready for installation

June – August 2024                Completion of Mural

Fall 2024                                  Dedication/Ribbon Cutting (date dependent upon street construction completion)

CONTACT INFORMATION

Katie Ketterer, Quincy Square Project Manager

katie.ketterer@ci.bremerton.wa.us

RESOURCES

https://www.knkx.org/other-news/2020-01-11/bremertons-segregated-wartime-housing-project-hosted-a-vibrant-african-american-community

https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/opinion/columnists/2023/02/05/roosevelt-smith-quincy-jones-journey-to-bremerton/69856567007/

https:/https://www.facebook.com/quincysquarebremerton/

/www.quincy-square.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincy_Jones

https://www.bremertonwa.gov/1084/Quincy-Square

https://www.knkx.org/news/2021-02-25/quincy-jones-discovered-love-of-music-in-bremerton-and-the-city-wants-to-honor-him

Application Requirements

PHASE 1 SUBMISSION MATERIALS

• Artist application
• Brief narrative describing your design concept, images of design concept are not required for phase 1 submissions
• Letter of interest - to include why Quincy Jones and this project are important or inspirational to you
• Samples of past work (up to 5 images)

PHASE 2 SUBMISSION MATERIALS

The finalists shall be paid $500 upon successful submission of the following materials:

• Images of the design concept (up to 3 images)
• Installation narrative which shall include a list of materials and a description of mural fabrication/application and installation process
• A letter agreement for the purpose of compensation (to be provided to finalists)
• A W-1099 form to the City of Bremerton for the purpose of compensation

Selection Committee may provide additional guidance to finalists or may request additional material from finalists, at their discretion.  Submitting artist(s) should be available to present their submission virtually during an interview process if selected.  Submitting artists must be able to meet their proposed timeline.

Eligibility Criteria

ARTISTS ELIGIBILTY

Any artist or team of artists interested in creating a mural that is over 18 years of age is eligible for this call.  Local and multi-cultural artists/teams are encouraged to apply.  The Selection Committee desires to provide opportunity to, and to lower barriers for, underprivileged or disadvantaged artists.  These artists are encouraged to apply, to ask questions about the project requirements, and if selected, to utilize partnerships or mentorships to meet the contracting requirements. 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information

The City of Bremerton in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), commits to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, in all of its programs and activities. This material can be made available in an alternate format by emailing Katie Ketterer at katie.ketterer@ci.bremerton.wa.us or by calling collect (360) 473-5334.

Title VI Statement

The City of Bremerton, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252,42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

City of Bremerton Equal Employment & ADA Statements:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:  In the hiring of employees for the performance of work under this Agreement, the CONSULTANT, its subcontractors, or any person acting on behalf of CONSULTANT shall not discriminate in any employment practice on the basis of age (40+), sex, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation/gender identity, marital status, military status, or the presence of any physical, mental or sensory disability.

ADA Statement: 

The City of Bremerton does not discriminate on the basis of disability in programs and activities, which it operates pursuant to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and ADA Amendments Act.  This policy extends to both employment and admission to participation in the programs, services and activities of the City of Bremerton.  Reasonable accommodation for employees or applicants for employment will be provided.