Summary

McLean Community Center is accepting qualifications from artists or artist teams for a public art project in McLean, Va. The permanent work of art will be created at the Old Firehouse Center (OFC) at 1440 Chain Bridge Road in August 2025. The selected artist/team will design, fabricate and install a permanent mural that will express civic pride, showcase the diversity of the community and provide place-making for the area. The artist/team will engage with the community to inform the design of the mural. MCC/OFC staff will work with the artist/team to coordinate community engagement. Artists invited to submit a proposal and interview will receive an honorarium of $500.

MCC is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, and the mural is part of the anniversary plans.

Background Information

McLean Community Center (MCC) provides a sense of community for over 50,000 MCC tax district residents through: 

• access to inspirational arts, cultural experiences, learning opportunities, civic engagement and recreational activities;
• support to community organizations;
• and facilities for all MCC tax district residents.

The community center provides activities for adults, teens and children, including a wide range of classes, lectures, camps, art exhibits, theater performances and community events.

The Old Firehouse Center is a satellite location of MCC. OFC provides teen programming including activities, clubs, dances, trips and a sensory room.

Scope of Work

The artist/team will be responsible for designing, fabricating and installing a permanent mural that will express civic pride, showcase the diversity of the community and provide place-making for the area. The artist/team will engage with the community to inform the design of the mural. MCC/OFC staff will work with the artist/team to coordinate community engagement.

Project Budget

The $30,000 artist fee includes design, community engagement, materials, site preparation, fabrication, insurance, travel, installation and a maintenance plan for the artwork. 

Installation Site

The mural will be on the rear wall of OFC, facing the alley measuring approximately 1,280 square feet (80 feet x 16 feet). The wall has two-feet-wide pilasters that protrude from the building, separating the wall into five sections, three of which are 14 feet wide and two that are 15 feet wide.

Link to Site Plan and images (https://mcleancenter.canto.com/b/TKHGO)

1. Site Plan/Drawings with mural area and dimensions marked.
2. Photos of the sites.

Project Objectives

• Site-specific, impactful design.
• Increase visibility and identity of the MCC and OFC.
• Engage the community in the creation of the artwork.
• Build civic pride by showcasing community characteristics and diversity.

Design Constraints

• Durable material that will require minimal maintenance.
• Graffiti coating required.

Schedule   

Application opens…………….......……...... July 3, 2024

Application closes ……………………......... August 16, 2024

Notification of Finalists……………….......... Mid-September 2024

Finalist Submissions due…………….......... October 11, 2024

Finalist Interviews……………………....…... Late October 2024

Artist selection…………………………...….. Early November 2024

Award of Contract(s)………………...............Early November 2024

Community Engagement Workshop(s)…… January – April 2025

Final Design Review………………………... May 2025

Installation ……………………..................… August 2025

Application Requirements

How to Submit

All interested artists should submit an application with the preliminary submission materials listed below. Applications must be submitted by August 16, 2024.

The following materials will be required to be uploaded:

1. Statement of Interest. Describe your interest in the project and experience working on comparable projects, and preliminary ideas for how you would approach this project. If applying as a team, identify all team members in the statement. (500 words maximum).
2. Resume. Maximum of three pages outlining your professional accomplishments. If submitting as a team, please include resumes for each team member, with each resume being no longer than three pages.
3. Images of Past Work. At least five unique examples of installed past work of similar scope, scale and budget as shown with a minimum of five and a maximum of ten (10) jpg images of prior public art projects and up to one video. Each image must be numbered and include the title, date of completion/installation, media, dimensions (height x width, in feet), location, final project cost and a brief description of the work.
4. Three Professional References. Please include names, affiliated organizations (if appropriate), email addresses, phone numbers, and relationship to each reference. References should be able to speak to your ability to provide services for the public art project.

Eligibility Criteria

Selection Process

A panel of stakeholders will review artist/team(s) based on preliminary submission materials and will select up to four finalists to submit proposal and to interview. Preference will be given to local artists. Finalists will receive an honorarium of $500. The following criteria will be used to make the preliminary selections:

• Artistic merit as evidenced by digital representation of past work.
• Experience of artist/team with projects of similar scale and scope.
• Appropriateness of the artist/team’s medium, style, and previous professional experience.
• The ability of the artist to successfully work within the project timeline and budget.
• Experience with community-based public art projects preferred.
• Experience leading community engagement workshops in creating public art projects.

Selected Finalists’ Submission Requirements (second round):

1. Written description of project (up to 1000 words), which includes an overview of the concept, description of materials and fabrication method being contemplated; approximate weight and dimensions.
2. Visual illustration(s) of the concept(s) including a rendering in all light conditions; a maquette may also be presented.
3. Site plan to scale showing how artwork will fit into the site.
4. Preliminary budget(s) that address major costs, including materials, fabrication, insurance, installation requirements, transport and fee considerations.
5. W-9 Form.
6. Site visits are welcome.
7. Selected finalists should submit required elements by October 11, 2024.

Interviews

In late October 2024 the selection panel will interview finalists. At their in-person interview, artists shall present a preliminary design and budget (30 minutes) and respond to questions (15 minutes) on their proposal. Finalists will receive an honorarium of $500 within 30 days of the presentation interview.

Final Selection Criteria 

The following criteria will be used to make the final selection:

• Proposed design exhibits strong artistic quality and original vision.
• Past artwork demonstrates proficiency in design and ability to carry out projects of similar scale and scope.
• Previous experience with public art projects that incorporate community input.