OPPORTUNITY

The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) Elevate Program aims to fund public art and placemaking installations that enhance the downtown experience for all people.  Reflective of this commitment to public art and the Elevate Program goals, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority is seeking to commission an artist or artist team to design and install unique and creative art as a wayfinding system to connect the Ann/Ashley Parking Structure to the Farmers Market in Ann Arbor, MI.  

The installation area will start at the parking structure, follow the south side of Miller Ave/Catherine St to 4th Ave, and 4th Ave to the Farmers Market.  The DDA is open to proposals from different types of artists (including 3D-based artists, 2D-based artists, and designers) and desires a family-friendly, playful, and engaging work that visually connects pedestrians and cyclists throughout the entire path.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Kerrytown neighborhood is home to Community High School and several other Ann Arbor attractions, including Zingerman’s Deli, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Kerrytown Concert House, the Ann Arbor Artisans’ Market, and more.  In addition to weekly Farmers Markets, the neighborhood annually hosts Kindlefest and the African American Festival. The neighborhood is considered family-friendly and walkable and becomes quite busy during farm market hours.

The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is located in Kerrytown neighborhood of downtown Ann Arbor, MI.  ​The market proudly brings fresh produce, farm products, prepared food, beverages, and artisan items to the community all year. The 105-year-old market is producer-​only, featuring 125 ve​ndors from Michigan. The market is open every Saturday and Wednesday from May to December and every Saturday from January to April. 

Due to the amount of traffic during market hours and limited street parking, the DDA would like to encourage visitors to park in the garage and walk or bike to the market.  This wayfinding project aims to make the path toward the farmers market enjoyable, welcoming, and fun!

PROJECT DETAILS

Site 

To preview and download high-quality images of the site plan and renderings, please visit the Ann Arbor Art Center's Calls for Art webpage. 

• Site Plan
• Images taken along the path with general dimensions and notes

Design Guidelines and Considerations

Below are general guidelines and design considerations for artwork.

• Artwork can be proposed/installed in the following areas:
  • On the parking structure, including the tower, facade along Miller Ave, facade window openings, and interior.  Work proposed for the tower must be lower than the “R” on the “PARKING” sign due to cell tower equipment.  (Please, no murals directly on brick.  Mural-type work can be applied via a separate board and mechanically fastened to the brick)
  • The sidewalk amenity zone (the few feet of sidewalk from the curb toward the buildings). However, the Fourth Avenue sidewalk and amenity zone must remain clear for Farmers Market operations. Flat groundwork or pole-mounted artwork only in this location.
  • The small seating area on the SW corner of 4th Ave and Catherine St
  • On light poles or newly proposed poles
  • Artwork might be able to be attached to private buildings or structures along the path.  However, proposed work attached to a private building or structure should be secondary, not necessary, to the main design.
  • Only flat groundwork can be proposed in the 6 ft right-of-way area of the sidewalk from a building/structure/private property edge toward the road.
• Artwork can not be proposed/installed in the following areas:
  • In the bike lane
  • On traffic poles (i.e. “no turn on red” type of signs)
  • The 6 ft of sidewalk public right-of-way from a building/structure/private property edge towards the road, unless the work is flat groundwork.
• Proposed flat ground work (pressed concrete, mural, mosaics, materials inserts, etc) must adhere to safety regulations and be slip-resistant.  It also must be able to withstand the wear from the winter months, ice, salt, and snow plows.
• Currently signs installed on the sidewalk indicating directions towards various businesses and organizations in Downtown Ann Arbor.  This previous wayfinding system will be removed.  See Project Images.  This call is not looking to replace these text-heavy wayfinding signs, but rather is looking for art to visually connect the two locations.
• A six story high building in the beginning phases of construction on the NW corner of 4th Ave and Catherine St.  Construction is expected to be complete in 2026.  Artwork should not be proposed for this area or along the north side of Miller Ave/Catherine St.  Currently the parking structure tower is visible from the farmers market, but this view may change.

Other guidelines

• The DDA encourages visual based artwork rather than text based artwork. Designs may include limited letters, numbers, or words but should not be the sole focus of the artwork
• Designs may not include any logos, trademarked materials, commercial imagery, or any sort of advertising.
• Designs may not contain sexual imagery or depict violence.
• Designs may not be religious or political in nature, or contain imagery that is considered sacred by any peoples.
• Designs must be original artwork.

Budget

The budget for this commission is $150,000, which will be allocated to the final artist/team selected. This contract amount is inclusive of all costs associated with the project, including, but not limited to: the artist's design fee, artist's assistant costs, other consultation fees such as structural engineering consultation, insurance, tools, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, any building or site modification required, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, a contingency to cover unexpected expenses, and any other costs.  The selected artist and any subcontractors they use will be required to have insurance. The amount and type may vary depending on the nature of the proposal.

Materials + Maintenance

All applicants must consider the issues of long-term conservation and maintenance of public art, along with time and budget. This project is in the public realm and will be exposed to physical stresses and potential vandalism. The artwork should be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials. 

The DDA and the City of Ann Arbor will review the final artist's proposal and contract to ensure conformity with city standards of maintenance and durability and American Disability Act (ADA) standards.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 

Please submit the following application requirements.  

• Written Proposal Statement and Visual Support showing design intention/direction (i.e. sketch, photo, rendering, or other)
• CV/Resume
• 3 References
• Artist Bio
• 5-10 Past Work Images.  Videos are permitted too.

Eligibility

The DDA is seeking artists or artist teams who can commit to working in Ann Arbor as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this project. Any artist or artist team residing in the United States can apply, including applicants currently on a U.S. Visa.  Applicants who are on a Visa must be able to legally work in the United States and provide documentation with their application.  

Selection Process

The selection process shall be a two-stage effort.   A panel of representatives from the DDA, City of Ann Arbor, Kerrytown neighborhood, and other designees will review applications.  Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:  

• Artist Written Proposal Statement and Visual Support
• Quality, creativity, and strength of past work examples
• Demonstrated experience, interest, and qualifications to complete a permanent, durable, outdoor public artwork within budget, timeline, and technical constraints.
• Artist Resume and References
• Alignment with project goals

The three semi-finalists will further their concept and create site-specific proposals and renderings for the DDA’s final selection. These artists or artist teams will then be interviewed in person or virtually. Semi-finalists will be paid a $1000 honorarium for this work.  Semi-finalists must submit a complete W-9 to receive payment, and the final selected artist will sign a contract for the artwork provided by the City.

Timeline

All dates except the submission deadline are approximate, subject to change, and are presented for guidance only. 

• Call Submission Deadline: October 20, 2024 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time
• 3 Semi-finalists Selected: ***Update: Early December 2024
• Semi-finalists Proposals Due and Interviews coordinated: Update: ***early January 2025
• Finalist Awarded: February 2025
• Project Completion and Installation: Summer 2025

SCOPE OF WORK

Final Artist(s) Responsibilities

• Conduct research to better understand the site, the project, the community’s history, and current culture, along with any other elements deemed helpful to their creative process
• Develop concepts and renderings for the project site
• Present concepts and refinements for final design approval
• Work in collaboration with the DDA and the City of Ann Arbor when finalizing their designs for installation
• Attain structural engineer drawings to ensure the safety and stability of the proposed installation
• Source specific materials, collaborate with fabricators or technicians as necessary, and acquire the equipment needed for installation
• Fulfill the responsibilities within the contracted budget and timeline
• Participate in an unveiling ceremony

FOR QUESTIONS:

This Call-for-Art is managed in collaboration with the DDA by the Ann Arbor Art Center’s Art in Public Program.  Please direct your questions to The Ann Arbor Art Center artinpublic@annarborartcenter.org | 734-926-4122

ABOUT ANN ARBOR ART CENTER

For over a century, the nonprofit A2AC (Ann Arbor Art Center) has sparked creativity in people of all ages, backgrounds, and artistic abilities. Our mission is to be a contemporary forum for the visual arts through education, exploration, collaboration, and exhibition. We aim to engage minds, expand perspectives, and inspire growth in students of all ages, teachers, artists, and the community. We are empowered to carry out our mission through the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations who believe in the value of our work and in creativity’s essential role in sustaining and elevating our everyday experience. In fulfilling our mission, the Art Center is a regional visual arts hub. It prioritizes the long-standing partnerships we cultivate as a keystone for Ann Arbor’s healthy cultural and civic life ecosystem.

Application Requirements

Written Proposal Statement and Visual Support (sketch, photo, rendering, or other)

CV/Resume

3 References

Artist Bio

5-10 Past Work Images.  Videos are permitted too.

Eligibility Criteria

The DDA is seeking artists or artist teams who can commit to working in Ann Arbor as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this project. Any artist or artist team residing in the United States can apply, including applicants currently on a U.S. Visa.  Applicants who are on a Visa must be able to legally work in the United States and provide documentation with their application.