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 a unique shade structure at the Farmers Market in Ann Arbor, MI.  The DDA is open to proposals of different mediums, including fabric or rigid materials, and desires a work that is positive, balances shade and light for different times of the year, and involves color.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is in the 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 market has been in its current location since 1930, after opening in 1919, next to the County Courthouse. The market’s roof was a WPA project completed in 1941. 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 from Saturday from January to April.    

The adjacent plaza was constructed in 2019 as part of a street reconstruction project.  The 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 the weekly Farmers Market, the neighborhood annually hosts Kindlefest and the African American Festival. The neighborhood is considered very family-friendly and walkable.

The site for the shade structure is on the east side of the Farmers Market at the intersection of Detroit Street and N 5th Avenue in the recently constructed plaza space.  This area is equipped with new picnic tables and landscaping to make space for visitors and residents to socialize, enjoy the offerings of the market and businesses of Kerrytown, and take leisure. This public art project should create a comfortable space by providing shade and adding a creative, visual, and experiential component to the shared urban space.

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 documents include:

• Site Plan
• Plan with dimensions between poles
• Elevations with Pole Details
• Images of the site

Design Guidelines and Considerations

Below are general guidelines and design considerations for artwork.

• Artists will use the existing poles to attach the shade structure to. The poles are 6" wide.
• The artist's proposal should cover a majority or all of the area between the poles with the shade installation.  However, designs do not have to completely shade the area under the installation.  It is preferred that some light is let into the area, whether through gaps, translucent materials, or other creative aspects of the design.
• The poles are 12’ high.  Artists may propose work a few feet above this height, but they must provide structure to do so within the budget.  The lowest point of the shade structure material should not hang below 10 feet.
• The shade structure is intended to be up year-round and last for 10+ years. It should be made of highly durable materials that can withstand wind, rain, snow, and sun exposure. Depending on the design and use of materials, the DDA is less inclined to accept proposals that use fragile or less durable materials as the main material of the installation, such as glass or wood.
• Artists may propose to paint the poles.
• Artists may propose design-related groundwork as a secondary component of the design.  The DDA intends to keep the existing seating but is open to artists creatively incorporating the ground area into the design if desired by the artist, fits within the artist’s budget, and complies with safety regulations and accessibility.
• Currently, there are festoon lights strung between the poles.  Semi-finalists may suggest and discuss with the DDA how best to reorganize and integrate the festoon lights and/or propose a simple, new lighting system that augments their design at night.  However, this applicability will depend on various factors, and it is not guaranteed that the DDA can change the lighting to a new light source.  Lighting is not part of the artist’s budget.

Other guidelines

• Designs may not include any letters, numbers, or words (of any language or alphabet).
• Designs may not include any logos, trademarked materials, commercial imagery, or any sort of advertising.
• 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 $50,000, 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. Proposals with fabric should propose highly durable exterior-grade fabric that should last in quality and color.  

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 (via sketch, photo, rendering, or other)
• CV/Resume
• 3 References
• Artist Bio
• 5-10 Past Work Images.  Videos are permitted too.

Eligibility

The DDA and City 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 Artists 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.