The City of Hopkins is pleased to invite artists to submit their qualifications to be considered for several public art projects that will set the stage for an exciting new gateway to historic downtown Hopkins – the Artery.

Background

The Artery is the connection, via 8th Avenue, between Mainstreet Hopkins and the proposed Downtown Hopkins LRT Station on the Green Line Extension.  The design of the Artery includes a two-way cycle track, an expansive pedestrian walkway, gathering places and outdoor “rooms,” and one-way automobile traffic.  The intent is to create an environment that inspires people to come to Hopkins via LRT or their bike, and motivates them to return.  “Pedestrian-seductive” is how the City of Hopkins describes the intended experience. 

What is the inspiration?

The design of the Artery has been inspired by Hopkins’ industrial past – including Minneapolis Moline and the vital railroad and streetcar line – and by the future, featuring light rail transit, increased bike traffic and an invigorated Mainstreet.

Goals for the public art on the Artery:

·         Communicate Hopkins’ unique story (history and diverse culture)

·         Combine fixed and ever-changing artwork

·         Create opportunities for interaction between art and audience

·         Appeal to a wide range of people

Description of Art Opportunities

Overview of art opportunities:

This RFQ seeks artists qualified to design and create functional and sculptural elements that will be installed as part of the larger street construction project scheduled for spring/summer 2017.  There are five opportunities identified below.  Applicants may express interest in one or more (up to five). 

1.    Street Closure Sculpture 

Budget:  $30,000 plus 5% design allowance

We anticipate that 8th Avenue will periodically be closed to vehicles in order to support street fairs, farmer’s markets, or other public events.  This sculptural project also functions as a creative road closure device.  Please note that this project must meet MUTCD codes for public safety. (See link on project website.)  Finalists will be given full details of code and safety requirements.

2.    Photo Op Bench

Budget: $25,000 plus 5% design allowance

We believe every great place needs an opportunity to take an awesome selfie, group shot or wedding photo.  This sculptural seating element should spur public interaction. The surface area reserved for the bench is 20’ long x 8’ wide.   

3.    Shade Canopy

Budget: $65,000 plus 5% design allowance

One of the unique elements along the Artery is a large gathering space that incorporates a small plaza/performance space along the street.  The shade canopy doesn’t need to cover the entire 30x40-foot area reserved for the gathering space, but it should help define this space as a destination along the corridor and provide an acoustical benefit for the space. Creative lighting is encouraged. Note: specific design guidelines and engineering requirements will be provided to finalists.

4.    Illuminated Sculpture

      Budget: $50,000 plus 5% design allowance

A key development site along the Artery is currently under construction.  When completed in the fall of 2017, The Moline, a 241-unit apartment building, will create a dramatic anchor.  A focal point of the development will be an illuminated sculpture.  The interest is in having a piece that looks great day or night, and is attention-grabbing — even from the LRT station platform across the street — yet is safe to the many bikers and walkers coming and going through the public space. 

The sculpture must fit within a space no larger than 6 feet diameter and no taller than 6 feet. 

5.    Art Screen Panels (Graphic Design Only)

Budget:  $1000 per selected panel design

The Artery is full of opportunities for artist-inspired design elements.  One key area of implementation are screen panels that provide a visual barrier between the adjacent surface parking lots and the pedestrian-realm of the Artery.  This will be an opportunity for up-and-coming artists to submit artwork to be considered for implementation.  Art screen panels will be approximately 3’ wide and 5’ tall.  Artists may submit single panel designs or longer designs that use up to 3 consecutive panels.  The artist-provided designs will be fabricated and installed along the Artery streetscape by the City of Hopkins.  All selected designs will be laser or plasma cut into steel/aluminum panels, modifications to design will be at the discretion of the fabricators and City of Hopkins.  Fabrication and installation will not be the responsibility of the artist.  In addition to submitting proposed designs, artists may also submit samples of past artwork to provide a sense of art style and experience, but are not required to submit professional references to be considered.

Scope of Work

If you are selected to work on one or more of the art pieces, the scope of work for this project will generally include, but not be limited to, the following:

-       Provide a schematic design proposal for artwork at the Artery based on established project goals;

-       Provide cost estimates for design, fabrication, and installation to determine feasibility of the project within the available budget;

-       Provide dimensioned drawings depicting unique detailing and including all necessary specifications as required for certification, inspection and approval prior to fabrication and installation;

-       Provide structural drawings stamped by Structural Engineer of the State of Minnesota.; and

-       Fabricate and install the artwork in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract and the approved design development and construction documents.

Submittal Process

Eligibility

Applicants who are independent artists or artist teams residing in the United States are eligible to apply with a preference given to local Minnesota artists.  Responders submitting qualifications for this RFQ must be at least 18 years of age, and have successfully managed and completed at least one public art project with a budget of at least $20,000 (with the exception of the art screen panels – graphic design).

Submittal

Applications must be submitted through CaFÉ™.  Duplicate, incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. All costs incurred in responding to this RFP will be borne by the applicant. Failure to provide any of the published requirements will result in disqualification. Applicants must submit all materials via the CaFÉ™ system. Applications in any other format will not be considered, including but not limited to: e-mail, facsimile, hard copies, external hard drives, in-person delivery, and CDs.

Evaluation of applicant’s statement of interest and qualifications will be conducted by the Hopkins Public Art Committee, who will represent the public interest during the process of artwork selection. The Hopkins Public Art Committee has six members. It includes representatives of the community and City staff.  This group of individuals determines the scope of the project, method of acquisition, type of competition, and who may apply. The Committee recommends contractors to the Hopkins City Council for site-specific commissions and/or artwork to purchase.

It is anticipated that from the submitted applications, the committee will select a group of finalists, conduct interviews and then select one artist or artist team to enter into a contract, develop a final design and complete each proposed project. The final design is subject to approval by the Hopkins Public Art Committee, with the assistance of a consultant, and the Hopkins City Council.

Criteria:

Selection of finalists will be based on the following criteria:

·         Quality of written materials

·         Quality of work samples

·         Ability of artist(s) to complete project based on bio and prior work experience

Selection of artworks proposed by finalists will be based on the following criteria:

·         Artwork creates a visually interesting experience for Artery visitors, inviting people to use and explore the corridor.  

·         Artwork should be visually engaging.

·         Artwork is interesting regardless of season and encourages people to enjoy the space in winter.

·         Artwork is responsive to the site design, scale and function (including surrounding buildings) as well as the historical nature and geographic make-up of the site.

·         Artworks must be low maintenance and durable, able to withstand extreme weather conditions.

·         Artwork design must consider fire code and safety requirements.

·         Artistic process or artwork considers opportunities for community engagement or social interaction.

·         Artwork reflects the values, cultures, and diversity of Hopkins.

Application Deadline

The deadline for application submission through CAFÉ TM is January 13, 2017.  Other key dates are as follows:

·         RFQ Announced/Artists Invited: November 17, 2016

·         Information Meeting: December 10, 2016

·         Deadline for Submission: January 13, 2017

·         Committee review and selection of finalists January/February (TBD)

·         Finalist Interviews; finalists must present in person or via Skype: February 2017 (TBD)

·         Contract with selected artist/team: March 2017

·         Design development: April – June 2017

·         Anticipated project completion: October 2017

This RFQ does not obligate the City to award a contract or complete the project, and the City reserves the right to cancel the solicitation if it is considered to be in its best interest. The City also reserves the right to waive minor informalities and, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, reject any and all proposals received in response to this RFQ.

More Information

For more information on this call, please go to the project website: http://www.hopkinsmn.com/development/current/eighth-artery/rfq.php.  There you will find links to project plans, design boards, and code requirements for the street closure element.   

If you have specific questions, please email your questions to mbeekman@hopkinsmn.com. 

There will be an informational meeting on the call on December 10, 2016, at the Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, from 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria