Call Description

The City of Sunrise, Florida (City) is seeking to commission an Artist or Artist team to create one, possibly two iconic sculptures of significant size and quality to be located at the Flamingo Linear Park with the following locations: (Sculpture 1): Flamingo Road and Panther Parkway and (Sculpture 2): Flamingo Road and Oakland Park Boulevard in Sunrise, Florida.  The sculptures should reflect the spirit of Sunrise and be impactful to passerby vehicular traffic both day and night at this high traffic roadway.

The Call to Artists is expected to be conducted in two (2) phases. In the first phase, up to three (3) Artists or Artist teams per sculpture will be shortlisted by the Selection Committee based on experience, credentials, style, and previous work. In the second phase, each shortlisted Artist or Artist team will receive up to a $1,500.00 stipend for the development of a detailed proposal with conceptual design options for the signature sculptures.

The Call to Artists will generally be awarded to the responsive and responsible Artist or Artist team whose design is selected by the Committee and submitted to the City Commission with a recommendation of approval. The selected Artist or Artist team will be expected to enter into an agreement with the City for one or both signature sculptures in an amount not to exceed $150,000 per sculpture. The selected Artist or Artist team will be responsible for the creation, permitting, and installation of the final work. The  concrete art pads for both signature sculptures have already been completed by the City and both include  conduit and wire to electrical panel, pull boxes, and an empty conduit to the center of the pad. The size and details of each pad are included below.

The call is open to all Professional Artists nationwide with experience working with public agencies and professional engineers.

Qualities of the Sculpture

This Call to Artists is emphasizing the City of Sunrise’s desire to commission sculpture(s) that represents its vibrant community. Each sculpture must be capable of “holding its own” and making a dramatic statement. The sculptures should be durable and require minimal ongoing maintenance. South Florida has a sub-tropical climate and is hot and humid with an intense sun and seasonal heavy rain. Problems with rust and fading should be avoided. The sculptures should be designed and constructed in accordance with the Florida Building Code and the Code of the City of Sunrise, Florida. If selected, the Artist shall be required to hire a Florida licensed engineer to develop the engineering design and obtain all necessary permits for the sculpture(s). The approved design/renderings cannot be modified during the engineering design process without prior approval by the City’s Contract Administrator. The sculptures must be self-supporting on an open landscape or hardscape and be large in scale, with a minimum of 16 feet to a maximum of 22 feet in height. The orientation of the sculpture must be vertical in the designated area. The art pad for the sculptures has already been designed and constructed by the City, therefore the Artist must ensure that the proposed sculpture(s) will fit properly within the existing art pads. While the electrical conduits and pull boxes are provided by the City, the Artist is responsible for lighting design and installation. While not required, the City would prefer sculptures that have the following elements:

The City would prefer sculptures that have the following elements:

• Uniqueness
• Significant height to stand on a busy corner with very high traffic counts
• Colors that are vibrant and stand out in an open and green backdrop
• Stands out day and night (preferable it would be lit from within)
• No water features
• Not interactive (there is no place to park within the linear park and it is only used by nearby residents)

NOTE: The artist(s) is willing to agree that the proposed design is achievable using known methods and materials, and that construction is reasonably possible without requiring significant modification to scale, form, or concept.

About the City of Sunrise 

The City of Sunrise, incorporated in 1961, is located in southeastern Florida in Broward County. The City encompasses an area of approximately 18 square miles with an approximate population of 97,000. The City is uniquely positioned in the most desirable and central location in Broward County, neighboring the Everglades and within less than an hour to three major airports, and three major seaports. The City is a dynamic and welcoming community that appreciates and celebrates its diverse people and culture, while embracing smart growth and development. 

The Business and Entrainment District is a four-square mile area located on the west side of the City of Sunrise from Flamingo Road to the Sawgrass Expressway neighboring the Everglades and it includes the largest and most successful outlet and value retail mall in the continental United States - Sawgrass Mills. Across from the mall there is also the 20,000 seat Amerant Bank Arena, one of the finest arenas in the country and home to the National Hockey League’s 2024 Champions Florida Panthers. Another major asset in western Sunrise is the Sawgrass International Corporate Park, one of Florida’s largest corporate parks (650 acres) home to regional, Latin American, and global headquarters. There is also over $2.3 billion new mixed-use projects in development within this area. Because of these assets, this area hosts more than 28 million visitors each year from all over the world and it is known as a major business and entertainment destination.

Location and Dimension of the Art Pads

The Flamingo Linear Park is a passive green space located in a very prominent location and major thoroughfare with high traffic counts. The Flamingo Linear Park has a nice walking path for nearby residents to utilize but it is important to note that there is no parking spaces for outside visitors so the sculptures cannot be interactive and must be appreciated from afar. The Linear Park already includes 4 art pads that are utilized for an art on loan program where the sculptures rotate on an annual basis. The signatures sculptures will be located on each of the ends of the Linear Park.

Location 1:  Located on the corner of Oakland Park Boulevard and the Sawgrass Express Way. This entrance/exit to the expressway is an entrance into the City and it is highly utilized by residents and visitors, especially for people coming to watch games and concerts at the Amerant Bank Arena. It is important to note that close to the location of this pad, Baptist Health is going to build a state-of-the-art hospital that will also include art sculptures.

Location 2:  Located on the corner of Oakland Park Boulevard and Panther Parkway. As people drive from the sawgrass express way into our Business and Entertainment District this corner is very visible and prominent, especially for people coming to watch games and concerts at the Amerant Bank Arena.  

Note: Pad location and detail for both sculptures are attached.

Selection Process

The City of Sunrise reserves the right to cancel this Call to Artists, to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any or all Proposals or parts of Proposals, to waive minor irregularities and technicalities in the Proposals, to adjust the time table as needed, to enter into negotiations with Proposers as warranted, to award the Call to Artist, and to enter into an agreement on such coverage and terms that the City deems will best serve the best interests of the City. A minor irregularity is defined as a variation from the Call to Artists’ terms and conditions which does not affect the price of the Proposal, give a Proposer an unfair advantage over other Proposers, or adversely impact the interests of the City. There is no obligation on the part of the City to award the Call to Artists or an agreement to the Proposer(s) offering the lowest price to the City. The City reserves the right to award the Call to Artists and enter into an agreement with the Artist whose proposal is judged most advantageous to and in the best interests of the City. The City shall be the sole judge of which Proposal is in the best interests of the City. The City reserves the right to obtain and review any information deemed necessary to determine the ability of the Proposer to carry out its obligations required under the agreement, including but not limited to its relevant experience and qualifications, the quality of its past performance, the Proposer’s current and prior compliance with all laws and regulations, its financial strength and capability to perform the requirements of this Call to Artists. 

All submissions must be done via CAFÉ at   www.callforentry.org

First Selection/ Shortlisting Process

The City’s Selection Committee will manage the application process. The Selection Committee includes City Staff from different departments and a public art consultant which serves as an Advisor to the Committee.

The Selection Committee will operate as a recommending committee to the City Commission. Upon review of all entries submitted through CAFÉ, the Selection Committee will invite up to three (3) shortlisted Artists per sculpture to submit and present a complete proposal which will include design concepts for one or both signature sculptures. The selection committee will shortlist artists based on experience, credentials, style and previous work. All submitted complete applications will be reviewed. Applications not meeting the submission guidelines will not be considered. 

Second Selection

Each of the shortlisted Artists will be provided with a $1,500 stipend for development of a detailed proposal for the signature sculpture(s) and any associated travel costs (if a shortlisted artist selects to present virtually and there is no travel cost the stipend is $1,000.00). While it is not mandatory, we strongly encourage shortlisted artists to propose a design for both signature sculptures. The two sculptures must be different from each other, but it should be complementary in style and/or theme.  The payment will be made after the Artist submits the detailed proposal and presents the proposal to the Selection Committee. Further details will be provided to each of the shortlisted artists, including dates for artists to present their proposal to the Selection Committee (presentations can be via a virtual meeting or in-person, but in-person is preferred). If Artists choose to present their proposal in-person to the Selection Committee, the expenses of travel and overnight accommodations are included in the $1,500 stipend. The Selection Committee will recommend awarding the final agreement(s) based on its evaluation of the sculpture proposal and the criteria listed below. The Selection Committee reserves the right to withhold the art sculpture award recommendation if it should not find a satisfactory sculpture. 

The shortlisted artists will be required to submit a detailed proposal with the following information: 

1. Proposed concept 3D Digital Model and/or Maquette. Model must include a scaled plan of the proposed location, and a plan dimensioned elevation of the concept. Model must also include perspectives of the concept, information regarding materials, weights, colors and any other relevant details.
2. Site Plan.  Plan must include perspective drawing between sculpture and sidewalk or other public space, and show all design features to create a space with foreground and backdrop for sculpture. Site plan shall also show pedestrian access to the sculpture and hide light fixtures shining on the sculpture from public view.
3. Feasibility Statement. Artists must include a statement confirming the technical and structural feasibility of their proposed design. The Artist shall acknowledge that if selected they will hire a Florida Licensed engineer to prepare engineering drawings as required and obtain all required permits. As part of the presentation, the Artist shall identify a Florida Licensed Engineer that they intend to hire if selected. Include any experience in obtaining permits for other projects and familiarity with the Florida Building Code as it related to designing and fabricating outdoor sculptures in Florida.
4. Project Maintenance Instructions.
5. An Itemized Project Budget. 

The criteria for the second and final selection include the following:

1. Design aesthetic and concepts:  50 points

• Artistic merit of concept to include meaning of the proposed sculptures and theme and if art feels and looks iconic.
• Style and Appropriateness: Demonstrate that the sculptures are compatible in relationship to the landscape and that it create a sense of arrival.
• Diversity: Reflect the overall project goal to strive for diversity in style, scale, media and Artists working in traditional and contemporary art forms.

     2. Technical considerations: 30 points 

• Feasibility: Including the Artist’s artistic history, experience with permitting and working with a licensed engineer, and experience in completing public art projects within the timeline and budget, as well as the sustainability of the sculpture.
• Safety and Maintenance: The sculpture should be durable, meet the requirements of insurance policies and be resistant to theft and/or vandalism. Materials should require minimal periodic maintenance and be readily available if conservation or restoration is necessary. Protection against vandalism.
• Price: Does price seem fair based on size, materials and other considerations or there any cost savings/discount if two sculptures by same artists are selected.

       3. Quality of Proposal/Presentation: 20 points

• Provided a copy of the presentation by the due date.
• Written Proposals were presented in logical order and contained all the information requested herein and may be accompanied by any additional materials necessary to convey the appropriate experience.
• Verbal presentation was clear, and all questions were answered
• Consider extra efforts/dedication by the artists, such as providing a 3D Model and/or artist took the time and extra resources to present in-person

The selection committee reserves the right to reject any proposal that is determined, through internal or third-party review, to be structurally unsound, materially inappropriate, or otherwise unbuildable within the project parameters. The Selection Committee may choose to include a technical review by the City’s engineering and/or Building Department before making a final recommendation of the award to the City Commission.

Artist Requirements Once Selected

• Meetings with the Selection Committee as needed to discuss aspects of sculptures: either via phone, virtual, or in person;
• Design development and modifications with drawings and/or models sufficient to secure the approval of the Selection Committee and the City Commission;
• Indemnify, and hold the City of Sunrise harmless from any and all claims and damages;
• Warranties;
• Liability and other insurance;
• Construction documents signed by a Florida engineer;
• Obtain permits and coordinate inspections;
• Transportation and off-truck loading of the sculpture to the specific site in Sunrise;
• Installation of the sculpture;
• One public lecture in Sunrise if requested; and
• Professional photos of the sculpture for publication and marketing

Note: The art pad for the sculptures has already been designed and constructed by the City, therefore the Artist must ensure that the proposed sculpture(s) will fit properly within the existing art pads. While the electrical conduits and pull boxes are provided by the City, the Artist is responsible for lighting design and installation.

Next Steps

• Artist Applications Submitted
• Shortlisting
• Submission of detailed proposal
• Presentation to Selection Committee
• Selection Committee’s Rankings
• Notification to Selected Artist(s)
• Design Adjustments (if needed)
• Entry into a mutually acceptable agreement
• City Commission Approval
• Sculpture Permitting
• Fabrication and Installation
• Dedication Ceremony

Application Requirements

Artist resume, up to ten images of previous work, and three references are required. 

Eligibility Criteria

The project is open to all visual arts Professional Artists/Artist Teams in the United States. Professional Artists/Artist Teams should have experience implementing their ideas and work in the public realm with government agencies. Professional Artists/Artist Teams must be able to effectively work within the project timeline and collaborate with the Architects of Record, General Contractors, multiple Governmental Agencies, Community Groups, City Staff and the Selection Committee whenever it is required. Artist or Professional Artist means a practitioner in the visual arts, generally recognized by critics and peers as a professional of serious intent and ability. Indications of a person’s status as a professional Artist include, but are not limited to, income realized through the sole commission the sculpture, frequent or consistent art exhibitions, placement of the sculpture in public institutions or museums, receipt of honors and awards, and training in the arts.  

Artists are NOT eligible who are immediate family or business partners of Sunrise City staff, Sunrise City Commission, or the public art consultants that are working for the City.  

Contact Information

All questions must be submitted to DaLima@sunrisefl.gov  and gadsonravitz@gmail.com     

Website for City of Sunrise: http://www.sunrisefl.gov

Economic Development Video: www.SunriseRisesAbove.com