Project Overview: The Town of Morristown, NJ in collaboration with Morris Arts, seeks a professional visual artist, or artist team, to create public artwork at a critical gateway to the Town.   The project will be the third under Morristown’s Percent for Art program, in which redevelopment projects contribute 1% of the cost of construction to a local art project.

 The goal of this project is twofold. First, the artist should aspire to create a signature piece of artwork, that enhances Morristown’s artistic reputation and speaks to the energy, movement, and transformation of Morristown. Second, the art itself should be viewed by the community as a destination in and of itself, as well as contributing to and accentuating the overall aesthetic of the surrounding area. The artist will have latitude in their choice of medium and design specifics of their work.

Budget: $170,000 total is available for this project. This amount includes all fees and expenses associated with the project (e.g., materials, equipment, labor, permits, engineering documents, insurance, taxes, travel, presentation fees, installation, shipping, identification plaque, and written and professional photographic documentation of the completed project, etc.).   The budget may be allocated across one or more sites at the discretion of the Town. 

Location: Morristown, at just 2.8 square miles includes diverse neighborhoods and a vibrant commercial downtown centered around the historic Morristown Green.

 Over the last two decades, Morristown has become a cultural and arts center in Northern New Jersey. Morristown boasts the Mayo Performing Arts Center, a multifaceted arts venue which hosts internationally acclaimed singers, actors, dancers and more. Throughout the town, Morris Arts brings countless art programs to our schools and community, including ‘Meet Me in Morristown’- an outdoor Arts event in the downtown featuring visual and performing artists and Pumpkin Illumination, a Halloween tradition where families bring carved pumpkins to illuminate a historic reflecting pond. Morristown's commitment to the arts continues to grow.

 This envisioned location for the art is a block at the heart of downtown Morristown, between Market Street and Bank Street and extends from Washington Street to Mt. Kemble Ave. The block is one-hundred twenty feet at its widest, narrowing as it approaches the intersection of Mt. Kemble Ave., Bank St. and Market St. Recent redevelopment of this block has created both residential and commercial uses. 

 Four potential locations for art in and around this area have been identified.  Respondents may propose art at any of the four locations.  Respondents should allocate the proposed budget across as many of the locations as they deem appropriate.  No priority will be given for responses that include art on more than one site.

Timeline: Project completion within one year of award

Eligibility:

·       Artists residing in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania are eligible to apply.

·       Professional Artists that have had previous experience completing Public Art projects of similar budgets and scales and have completed at least one site-specific public art project using durable and permanent materials.

·       Experience in the installation of, or ability to oversee the installation of commissioned artwork.

·       Artist must be over the age of 18 and be a legal, permanent resident.

·       Artists may apply as individuals or in teams.  Artists may propose to use subcontractors or additional hired labor.

·       The Town of Morristown does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, economic status, or gender identity.

·       Applicants are encouraged to visit the site before submitting.

Application Requirements:

All applications should include:

·       Biography

·       Resume: 1 page maximum

·       Previous Public Art: 2-7 work samples

·       Letter of Interest: 500 word maximum

·       Letter of Intent: Include contact information and a description of how the artist or artist team meets the criteria listed in the RFP (500-word maximum).

·       Preliminary concept

Evaluation Criteria:

Submissions will be reviewed using the following criteria:

·       Artists experience with projects of similar scope.

·       Artistic excellence, innovation and craftmanship.

·       Relevance to site.

·       Demonstrated ability to translate art concepts into durable and safe materials.

·       Evidence that the artists existing public art have maintained appropriate level of quality and integrity.

·       Experience working cooperatively with professionals including but not limited to engineers, and project management personnel.

·       Assessed ability and availability to meet project deadlines.

·       List at least 2 references with contact info from previous public art projects

Selection Process: 

All RFPs will be reviewed by a designated committee of project stakeholders.  After the initial review, up to three finalists will be recommended.  Finalists will receive a $500 honorarium and will be invited to submit a formal site-specific proposal for the project.

Formal site-specific proposals for finalists should include:

·       Site specific proposal

·       Description of projects intent, proposed materials, fabrication and installation methods

·       Itemized project budget

·       Scale models and renderings

·       Explanation of how artwork will be sourced and fabricated

·       To prepare the site-specific proposal, finalists will be provided:

·       Plans, surveys, existing electrical plan if relevant

·       Site photographs

·       Any restrictions from Town or municipality

·       Materials of proposed artwork

Application Requirements

All applications should include:

·       Biography

·       Resume: 1 page maximum

·       Previous Public Art: 2-7 work samples

·       Letter of Interest: 500 word maximum

·       Letter of Intent: Include a description of how the artist or artist team meets the criteria listed in the RFP (500-word maximum).

·       Preliminary concept

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility:

·       Artists residing in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania are eligible to apply.

·       Professional Artists that have had previous experience completing Public Art projects of similar budgets and scales and have completed at least one site-specific public art project using durable and permanent materials.

·       Experience in the installation of, or ability to oversee the installation of commissioned artwork.

·       Artist must be over the age of 18 and be a legal, permanent resident.

·       Artists may apply as individuals or in teams.  Artists may propose to use subcontractors or additional hired labor.

·       The Town of Morristown does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, economic status, or gender identity.

·       Applicants are encouraged to visit the site before submitting.