The Moline Public Art Commission, MetroLINK, and Quad City Arts are seeking an artist or artist team to design and install an interactive public art installation on the grounds at 1315 4th Avenue, Moline, Illinois. Public Art opportunities include the grassy area to the east of the multimodal transit station, as well as the building housing the elevator and stairwell to the skywalk over the train, tracks that connect to Centre Station transit center, as long as it does not inhibit access to the building or sidewalks.
 
PROJECT CONCEPT
A series of lit interactive sculptures or one large sculpture could be placed in the grassy plaza to the east of The Q Multimodal Station. A mural, lighting, or sculptural component working in conjunction with the sculptures in the grassy plaza, could cover the stairwell building to the skywalk. The art would activate the space and invite locals and tourists alike to stop, visit, and walk through the area. This will be the largest public art installation ever done in the Quad Cities.
 
This project is part of the Moline Public Art and Placemaking Plan. This plan can be found  on the City of Moline's website: https://moline.il.us/DocumentCenter/View/12619/Moline-Public-Art-and-Placemaking-Plan?bidId=

At this site, the community has identified the following:

Values:

• The artwork should be bold, colorful, and fun.
• The artwork should be unique and unlike any other art in the Quad Cities.
• The artwork should present concepts that are new and different.

Design Considerations:

• Scale is important at this location.
• Connectivity to the river.
• The piece should be lit.

 PROJECT GOALS
The goal is for this public art project to celebrate artistic excellence in a work of art that will activate the site and create an art space that will draw people in, engage the community, and encourage social interaction in the heart of downtown Moline.
 
PROJECT SITE
The site for the Art Installation is a portion of a triangular piece of property located to the east of The Q Multimodal Station and south of the railroad tracks.  4th Avenue / IL -92 is a one-way street with traffic heading west, that is located south of the site.  There is a continuous sidewalk along 4th Avenue, that leads to The Q.  A 44’-7” tall tower is located in the center of the site, which contains a stair and elevator that provides access to the skybridge over the rail line, and connects to the MetroLINK Centre Station to the north.  There is a sidewalk from the tower which heads west to The Q, and a sidewalk that connects to 4th Avenue and a drop-off area, which shall be maintained.  See the following plans describing location and size of the art Installation area:

ARTWORK SPECIFICATIONS The content for the artwork must be suitable for public consumption and should be sensitive to and respond to the existing architectural features of the site. Artwork must be made of durable and low-maintenance materials that are suitable for an outdoor, all-weather installation in Moline, Illinois. With safety in mind, the design should mitigate any potential hazards such as sharp or protruding edges or elements, structural damage from wind, rain, snow, or hazards or damage created by human interaction. The artwork should allow for open site lines and a good visual connection between the streets, sidewalks, and the artwork. The height of the artwork should be visible from multiple angles and locations. Electricity is available on-site, and the design should incorporate lighting, both interior and/or exterior, to illuminate the artwork and the immediate site. Water features for the site will not be considered.

DEADLINE Proposals shall be submitted no later than March 3rd, at 5:00 pm via email attachment to Quad City Arts at rfq@quadcityarts.com or online at www.quadcityarts.com/moline-public-art-rfq.html. Submissions shall be clearly labeled "Moline Public Art Project".

Application Requirements

TO APPLY • Email a PDF to rfq@quadcityarts.com including the following information or submit online at https://www.quadcityarts.com/moline-public-art-rfq.html 

Contact Information 

Website, Instagram, or other online profiles, if applicable. 

A professional resume/CV: Not to exceed three pages. 

An Artist Statement: Please outline your relevant art background and areas of focus. Detail your experience with and approach to public art and your role in other projects of similar scope. 

A Letter of Interest: Describe your interest in this specific project, what you bring to this project as an artist, sources of inspiration presented by the project, your previous projects of similar scope, and any other comments that might help differentiate you as a candidate. 

Images of Past Works: 5 Minimum - 10 Maximum of previously completed artworks. Each image must include a brief description of each project including the title, size, location, budget, and detail of the applicant’s role in the project. Design team applicants must detail each member’s role in past projects. 

Professional References: At least three professional references from past projects with contact information.

Eligibility Criteria

Artists and design teams must be professional and practicing artists who can demonstrate experience in successfully executing large-scale public art projects. Artists must be legally able to work in the United States and be at least 18 years of age. Artists not meeting these requirements will not be considered.