Theme

The design’s theme(s) are open to the artist’s vision, but since the murals are within the Village Art Plaza the main inspiration/theme should be ART! The design must be family-friendly and suitable for the public realm and capture the interest of those that drive, ride, and walk by. The design should represent the City’s identity, which is a warm and inviting environment that celebrates and embraces a diverse and culturally rich population. The City also requires the designs to be unique to the City and not have been utilized in other places. Designs must be appropriate for display in public spaces and viewing by a general audience. Designs cannot include the following: political or religious content; anything that could be deemed controversial; breach of intellectual property; trademarks; images of illegal activity; advertisements; logos; signage; or promotion of any business, organization, individual, or product.

Local South Florida artists preferred but not required.

Locations

The walls are located throughout the new Village Art Plaza which is currently under construction (see attached rendering on "site plan" link), hence creating an opportunity for an engaging experience for visitors and members of the community.  

The Art Plaza is located on Sunset Strip which is the major thoroughfare in eastern Sunrise, and is part of the City’s original neighborhoods. Once completed, the Village Art Plaza will be a destination for residents and visitors. It will also include several sculptures and will be activated on a regular basis with events such as live music, farmer’s markets, art shows, and many other community gathering events.  The plaza will also connect to City Park, which was recently renovated and includes a brand-new amphitheater, multipurpose field, covered basketball courts, splash pad, playground, and walking trail. Adjacent to the Village Art Plaza there is also going to be a new brewery and coffee shop that will be activating the space and space for ongoing community programming.

The East Sunrise Improvements Master Plan (Master Plan) was adopted in March of 2019, which is a roadmap for reinvestment in the original Sunrise neighborhoods. Since the adoption of the Master Plan, the City has been heavily investing on and working to attract investment and redevelopment to improve our original neighborhoods. The Master Plan recommended focusing on art, which is why the Village Art Plaza is being constructed and why the mural(s) are so important. The neighborhood around the Village Art Plaza is diverse, and celebrating the diversity of the original neighborhood could be part of a design

An elevation plan, which includes the dimensions for the three walls is attached to the Call to Artists highlighting the expected locations for the murals.  (See Elevation Plan included on "site plan" link)

• Mural 1 – 1,111 sq. ft. Located on the Village Civic Center Building (East Elevation). This wall will be visible from the road that is going to be utilized to enter the Village Art Plaza. This wall is also close to the new Interactive Upside-Down House sculpture which is a large sculpture that celebrates the City’s original 1960s upside down house. While not required this wall could be a great location for a design that is inspired by the history of the City, with the possibility of including the old post office which was located where the Village Art Plaza in now going to be located.
• Mural 2 - 889 sq. ft (mural 2a -226 sq. ft.) The additional 226 sf in mural 2a can be utilized by the artists if desired. This wall is located on the Village Multipurpose Building (North Elevation) and this wall is the backdrop of the stage that is going to be located in the new Village Art Plaza. While not required this wall could be a great location for a design that ties to other forms of art related to music and entertainment since it is the backdrop of the stage.
• Mural 3 – 1,779 sq. ft. (mural 3a - 290 sq. ft.) The additional 290 sf in mural 2a can be utilized by the artists if desired. This wall is also located on the Village Multipurpose Building (West Elevation) but its most visible as people enter the plaza. This wall should be a vibrant design that is very inviting to draw people into the Art Plaza.

About the City of Sunrise 

The City of Sunrise, incorporated in 1961, is located in southeastern Florida in Broward County. The City encompasses an area of approximately 18 square miles with an approximate population of 97,000. The City is uniquely positioned in the most desirable and central location in Broward County, neighboring the Everglades and within less than an hour to three major airports, and three major seaports. The City is a dynamic and welcoming community that appreciates and celebrates its diverse people and culture, while embracing smart growth and development.

The City’s Business and Entertainment District has the largest and most successful outlet mall in the continental United States - Sawgrass Mills Mall; the 20,000 seat FLA Live Arena, one of the finest arenas in the country and home to the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers; and the Sawgrass International Corporate Park, one of the largest Corporate Parks in the State. Because of these three major assets (Sawgrass Mills Mall, Sawgrass International Corporate Park and FLA Live Arena), the City hosts more than 28 million visitors each year. A strong endorsement of the City’s business appeal is that corporations, hotels, restaurants, office parks, and attractions already located in our community continue to expand and invest in the area.

Selection Process

The Call to Artists is expected to be conducted in two (2) phases. In the first phase, up to nine (9) Artists or Artist teams will be shortlisted by the Selection Committee based on experience, credentials, style, previous work and on the artists statement. In the second phase, each shortlisted Artist or Artist team will receive a total of $800.00 stipend for the development of a detailed proposal(s) with conceptual design options for the mural(s). The stipend amount is the same for all shortlisted artists regardless of how many murals the artist chooses to submit for. 

The Call to Artists will generally be awarded to the responsive and responsible Artist or Artist team whose design is selected by the Committee and submitted to the City Commission with a recommendation of approval. The selected Artist or Artist team will be expected to enter into an Agreement with the City for the mural(s). The selected Artist or Artist team will be responsible for the creation and installation of the final work.

The City of Sunrise reserves the right to cancel this Call to Artists, to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any or all Proposals or parts of Proposals, to waive minor irregularities and technicalities in the Proposals, to adjust the time table as needed, to enter into negotiations with Proposers as warranted, to award the Call to Artists, and to enter into an Agreement on such coverage and terms that the City deems will best serve the best interests of the City. A minor irregularity is defined as a variation from the Call to Artists’ terms and conditions which does not affect the price of the Proposal, give a Proposer an unfair advantage over other Proposers, or adversely impact the interests of the City. There is no obligation on the part of the City to award the Call to Artists or an Agreement to the Proposer(s) offering the lowest price to the City. The City reserves the right to award the Call to Artists and enter into an Agreement with the Artist whose proposal is judged most advantageous to and in the best interests of the City. The City shall be the sole judge of which Proposal is in the best interests of the City. The City reserves the right to obtain and review any information deemed necessary to determine the ability of the Proposer to carry out its obligations required under the Agreement, including but not limited to its relevant experience and qualifications, the quality of its past performance, the Proposer’s current and prior compliance with all laws and regulations, its financial strength and capability to perform the requirements of this Call to Artists. 

All submissions must be done via CAFÉ at   www.callforentry.org

First Selection/ Shortlisting Process

The City’s Selection Committee will manage the application process. The Selection Committee includes City Staff from different departments.  A public art consultant serves as an Advisor to the Committee. The Selection Committee will operate as a recommending committee to the City Commission. Upon review of all entries submitted through CAFÉ, the Selection Committee will invite up to nine (9) shortlisted Artists to submit and present a complete proposal which will include a design concept for the mural(s). The selection committee will shortlist based on experience, credentials, artist statement, style, previous work, and artist statement. All submitted complete applications will be reviewed. Applications not meeting the submission guidelines will not be considered.

Second Selection

Each of the shortlisted Artists will be provided up to a $800.00 stipend for development of a detailed proposal for the mural(s). Artists can submit designs for up to three walls. The payment will be made after the Artist submits the detailed proposal and presents the proposal to the Selection Committee. Further details will be provided to each of the shortlisted artists, including dates for artists to present their proposal to the Selection Committee (presentations can be via a virtual meeting or in-person). The City doesn’t cover travel costs for in-person presentations. The Selection Committee will recommend awarding the final agreement(s) based on its evaluation of the mural(s) proposal and the criteria listed below. The Selection Committee reserves the right to withhold the art mural(s) award recommendation if it should not find a satisfactory design. 

The shortlisted artists will be required to submit a detailed proposal with the following information: 

1. Proposed concept. Design must include a scaled plan of the proposed location, and a plan dimensioned elevation of the concept.
2. Site Plan.  Plan must include perspective drawing between mural and sidewalk or other public space.
3. Project Maintenance Instructions.
4. An Itemized Project Budget and Timeline. 

Criteria Selection

The criteria for the second and final selection include the following:

1.Design aesthetic and concepts:  50 points

• Artistic merit of concept to include explanation on how the proposed mural(s) reflect the spirit of the City and the overall project goal/theme).
• Style and Appropriateness:  Demonstrate that the mural(s) are compatible in relationship to the landscape and how it interacts with viewers.
• Diversity: Reflect the overall project goal to strive for diversity in style, scale, media, and Artists working in traditional and contemporary art forms.
• Artistic merit of concept to include explanation on how the proposed mural(s) reflect the spirit of the City and the overall project goal/theme).
• Style and Appropriateness:  Demonstrate that the mural(s) are compatible in relationship to the landscape and how it interacts with viewers.
• Diversity: Reflect the overall project goal to strive for diversity in style, scale, media, and Artists working in traditional and contemporary art forms. Technical considerations: 35 points

2. Technical considerations: 35 points 

• Feasibility: Including the Artist’s artistic history and experience in completing public art projects within the timeline and budget.
• Maintenance: The mural(s) should be durable, meet the requirements of insurance policies and be resistant to vandalism. Materials should require minimal periodic maintenance and be readily available if conservation or restoration is necessary.
• Timeline: The artists is able to complete the mural(s) within the timeframe requested by the City.
• Cost: The proposed mural(s) price is under or within the established price range.
• Location: The artist is local to South Florida (not required but preferred).

 3.  Quality of Proposal/Presentation: 15 points  

• The Proposer must demonstrate experience in providing the type of Services requested in this Call to Artists.
• Written Proposals should be brief, presented in logical order, contain the information requested herein, and may be accompanied by any additional materials necessary to convey the appropriate experience.

 Artist Requirements Once Selected

• Meetings with the Selection Committee as needed to discuss aspects of the mural(s): either via phone, virtual, or in person.
• Design development and modifications with drawings and/or models sufficient to secure the approval of the Selection Committee and the City Commission.
• Indemnify, and hold the City of Sunrise harmless from any and all claims and damages.
• Warranties.
• Liability and other insurance.
• Obtain permits and coordinate inspections;(if applicable)
• One public lecture in Sunrise if requested; and
• Professional photos of the mural for publication and marketing.

Next Steps

• Artist Applications Submitted
• Shortlisting
• Submission of detailed proposal
• Presentation to Selection Committee
• Selection Committee’s Rankings
• City Commission Approval
• Notification to Artist(s)
• Entry into a mutually acceptable agreement
• Dedication Ceremony with the inauguration of the Art Plaza (expected July 2024)

Application Requirements

Up to 15 images of previous art mural work, three references and a artist resume are required. Artists can also include up to 5 videos of previous work (optional).

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility 

The project is open to all visual arts Professional Artists/Artist Teams in the United States. Professional Artists/Artist Teams should have experience implementing their ideas and work in the public realm with government agencies. Professional Artists/Artist Teams must be able to effectively work within the project timeline and collaborate with the Architects of Record, General Contractors, multiple Governmental Agencies, Community Groups, City Staff and the Selection Committee whenever it is required. Artist or Professional Artist means a practitioner in the visual arts, generally recognized by critics and peers as a professional of serious intent and ability. Indications of a person’s status as a professional Artist include, but are not limited to, income realized through the sole commission the sculpture, frequent or consistent art exhibitions, placement of the sculpture in public institutions or museums, receipt of honors and awards, and training in the arts.  

Artists are NOT eligible who are immediate family or business partners of Sunrise City staff, Sunrise City Commission, or the public art consultants that are working for the City.  

Contact Information

All questions must be submitted to DaLima@sunrisefl.gov and gadsonravitz@gmail.com     

Website for City of Sunrise: http://www.sunrisefl.gov

Economic Development Video: www.SunriseRisesAbove.com