INTRODUCTION
Benesch and Landworks Studio, on behalf of the City of Wichita, invite professional artists and artist teams with a demonstrated history of completing durable, permanent public art projects to submit their qualifications.

PERCENT FOR ART & CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
This project’s artistic elements are funded through the Percent for Art Ordinance and the City of Wichita’s Capital Improvement Plan. In 2019, the Wichita City Council approved an ordinance that allotted 2% of capital improvement funds to a pool of funding allocated for the commissioning of on-site artworks that then become part of the citywide art collection. The administration of the Percent for Art Program is overseen by the Design Council, an 11-member advisory board.

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Opportunities have been identified for art to be integrated or installed as part of the next 3.5 miles of Redbud Trail improvements to be completed by the end of 2026. Redbud Trail is a 15-mile multi-modal trail, in various stages of development, located on an abandoned BNSF railway extending from Wichita through Andover and terminating in Augusta, KS. The trail has three public art installations completed in Wichita. These are located at 9th and Hillside, 13th and Roosevelt, and 17th and Oliver on paved portions of the trail. These installations showcase people who live(d) in nearby neighborhoods with interesting stories to share. It is not the intention of this call to continue highlighting individuals or accomplishments, but there is an opportunity for consideration of continuity in elements like colors, materials, shapes, or styles.

Andover, Kansas has also completed some customization along its trail segment with unique fence panels. This is currently being considered by the design team and not necessarily in the scope of art.

See Site Details Exhibit “A” for a site map and existing conditions.

PROJECT AREA AND CHARACTER
The portion of the trail for consideration starts at Woodlawn Avenue just north of Wichita Firehouse 14 and extends east across Rock Road and ends just east of K-96, where it connects to the K-96 path. Adjacent properties include residential lots within planned subdivisions, HOA-maintained green spaces, a middle school, undeveloped commercial, and commercial/retail stores near the intersections of Rock Rd. and Webb. Rd.

The trail is fairly wooded in some places and the goal will be to keep a similar appearance. Some tree trimming and minimal tree removal are necessary to complete the grading required for the trail pavement.

An elevated bicycle/pedestrian bridge is being designed for the trail over Rock Road as part of this project. 

See Site Details Exhibit “B” for preliminary bridge elevation.

SELECTION PROCESS
The project Selection Committee will select a shortlist for artists’ interviews based on eligibility, submitted qualifications, the demonstrated ability to produce quality art in public spaces, and the criteria included in this RFQ.

Interviews for the short-listed artists will provide an opportunity for the Selection Committee to meet the artists, discuss the project’s potential, and ask and answer questions. After the interviews, the Selection Committee will determine the final approval of an artist.

The successful artist or artist team will work with the city’s design team, including engineers and landscape architects, before and during the development of the artist’s proposal. This collaborative process will allow for input and refinement throughout design development and will allow the design team to provide creative site solutions within their scope of work that is influenced by the selected artist’s proposal. There will be an in-person design charrette with the selected artist and the artist will be expected to provide regular updates on their progress through the fabrication and installation process.

Benesch (Civil Engineering) is the prime consultant leading the design process in collaboration with the City of Wichita. Landworks Studio (Landscape Architecture) is part of the design team and is facilitating the selection process on behalf of the City of Wichita. The artist or artist team will contract with Benesch for design and general contracting for fabrication and installation.

CRITERIA FOR REVIEW OF QUALIFICATIONS
Artistic excellence: What is the quality of the artist’s work and their compatibility with the project?

Goals: Does the artist’s body of work demonstrate an ability to create an artwork that responds to the project’s goals?

Approach: How well does the artist communicate their understanding of the project? Does the artist demonstrate experience working collaboratively with a larger design team?

Capabilities: Does the artist have sufficient experience to be able to design, fabricate, and install the artwork on time and budget?

CRITERIA FOR REVIEW OF INTERVIEWS
Artistic excellence: Does the artist communicate artistic excellence, high quality, innovation, creativity, and clarity of vision?

Goals: Does the artist demonstrate an understanding of the opportunities as presented in this Call to Artists?

Approach: Does the artist have an approach that provides exploration within a larger design team to maximize a project’s opportunities in all scopes of work?

Capabilities: Does the artist communicate well with both creative and technical professionals? Does the artist demonstrate the ability to deliver a successful process and final product, including a sound work plan for the artwork, with appropriate and quality materials, on time and budget?

GOALS, CRITERIA AND CONSIDERATIONS
1. Commission an artist or collaborative to conceptualize, create, and implement artistic features to improve the experience for and engage the users of this segment of Redbud Trail.
2. The artwork should be appropriate for the character of the corridor with some consideration given to already existing art elements at trailheads and trails. Artist(s) should create relevant works that further the sense of place, inspire, create dialogue, and enhance the experience of this place.
3. Artwork should respond to site conditions and context: including scale of work, materiality, site lines, and adjacent residential and commercial functions.
4. Artwork shall be vandal-resistant and graffiti removal treatments/coatings, where appropriate.
5. Artwork incorporating steel material must comply with “Buy America and Build America” criteria. See https://www.transit.dot.gov/buyamerica for more information.
6. Celebrate the role that art and artists play in our community and in our economy.

THEMING OPTIONS
The design team has developed three themes for exploration for the development of art applications. These themes are relevant to the site context and to the scope of the project itself.
1) Redbud Tree
2) Process/Motion
3) Connectedness

See Site Details Exhibit “C” for additional information and images related to the concepts.

ARTWORK OPPORTUNITIES
While there are many applications for art integration, the design team has identified some possibilities. This list is not intended to be exclusive of other ideas but is a practical list of known infrastructure included in the scope of the project.
1. Custom Trail Amenities
    a. Shade Structures
2. Rock Road Overpass
    a. Ramp/Ped Bridge Handrail
    b. MSE Wall form liner/mural
    c. Trail Surface Applications
3. Monuments/Environmental Art
    a. Along the trail segments
        i. Open Spaces
        ii. Small bridge structures/railings
    b. At intersections
    c. At pause points

BUDGET
Total Project: $300,000
The total artwork commissions will be $300,000, inclusive of all costs and fees for the artist to execute the project from design through structural engineering, fabrication, site preparation, transportation, delivery to the site, and installation. The artist will be required to provide all mounting hardware for integration into any footings/pedestals.

TIMELINE
RFQ open via CAFE̒ online application system: April 5, 2024
Artists Questions Due April 26, 2024, at 11:59 PM CDT
Submission Deadline: May 1, 2024
Deadline Extended to May 15, 2024
Notification of Finalists: May 10, 2024 (Updated to May 22, 2024)
Interviews for Finalists: May 30th, 2024 12:00 - 5:00 PM CDT In-Person or Via Zoom Link
Final Artist Selection: June 4, 2024
Contract: Approximately 6 weeks following selection
In-person Design Charrette: Week of July 8th. Selected date TBD.
Presentations to Design Council (minimum of 2 presentations)
Final Designs after approval of the Design Council: Summer 2025
Installation: Construction of the project is anticipated to begin in the Fall of 2025.
Completion: Approximately end of 2026.

HOW TO APPLY
Application is available via Cafe̒.

QUESTIONS
All questions should be emailed to Carisa McMullen (carisa@landworksstudio.com) by APRIL 26, 2024, 11:59 PM CDT.

Application Requirements

Please submit the following information:
1. Artist name (or names of team members if applying as a team), phone number, and email address.
2. Website and/or applicable links.
3. Brief written description of your project approach and intention to create relevant work befitting the character of the site, with consideration given to relevant contextual factors (500 words or less).
4. Three references
5. Five to seven images of relevant examples of past work. Images should represent the artist’s style, medium, and breadth of work. Please include a brief description of the work, size, location (City/State), media, and budget.
6. Resume (maximum of 2 pages / per each team member)

Eligibility Criteria

Professional artists and artist teams with a demonstrated history of completing durable, permanent, outdoor public art projects will be considered. 

The City of Wichita has a vibrant art community with many local firms that can assist with the development, fabrication, and installation of art pieces. The committee prefers to have local artists and firms involved in the project and will give preference to artists who plan to utilize these local resources. These may include engineers, contractors, fabricators, and installers.

It is the declared policy and practice of the City of Wichita to extend equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, disability, or other non-merit factors.