Call Description

City of El Paso Public Art Program

The City of El Paso’s Public Art Ordinance was adopted by City Council April 4, 2006, to promote and encourage private and public programs to further the development and public awareness of, and interest in, the fine arts and cultural properties, to increase employment opportunities in the arts, to encourage the integration of art into the architecture of municipal structures for the City of El Paso and to provide for the citizens of the City high quality, publicly accessible works of art, which contribute to the urban landscape and symbolize the City’s sense of place.

Project Description

The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department’s Public Art Program seeks to commission a professional artist or artist team to design, fabricate and install site-specific artwork or artworks at the Alameda Recreation Center/Library which will be located on approximately 4-acre site directly on Alameda Avenue.  The location is placed toward the Mission Valley area of the city and south of the I 10 corridor and at edge of the historic floodplain northern embankment to the Rio Grande.  Alameda recreation center should be approximately 15000 – 20000 sf. in size +/- and possibly two stories in height.  It is expected to include a basketball court size gymnasium, fitness room, public library space, classrooms and support elements.  The project is to be multi-generational and serve a predominant Mexican American population.

Alameda Avenue is a state highway and had been a main road used to the east – southeast of El Paso before I-10 federal highway was constructed.  It was lined with poplar and cottonwood trees creating a shaded roadway at one time. Construction is also starting on a new “Brio” – rapid transit bus route connecting downtown to Mission Valley areas.  The site is bordered by a McDonalds on the east side and light commercial to the west and residential houses to the south.  Alameda borders the northern length of the site.

Public Art Opportunity

This public art project will commission an artist(s) to design and develop an interactive/functional public art piece within the Alameda Recreation Center/Library.  The project will provide the opportunity for the artist to fully engage with the community in developing the concept and design of the artwork.

Vision

Public Art in El Paso will:

o   Give voice to the City’s creative spirit
o   Shape the look and feel of the City
o   Define places that anchor the community
o   Contribute to El Paso’s evolution as a dynamic urban place

Project Goals

The Public Art Program Goals are to:

o   Enhance the quality of life of residents,
o   Support creative and professional growth of the arts community,
o   Support economic growth,
o   Enhance the experience visitors have of El Paso, and
o   Promote authentic images of El Paso as unique place, community and destination.

Budget

Total project budget is $200,000 to include design, fabrication, and installation. The budget is all-inclusive and must cover design fees, travel expenses, all materials and fabrication costs, insurance costs, engineering expenses, shipping and transportation to the site, and installation.

Additional Costs to the project may include:

o   Foundation, Infrastructure, Contracting Services, Engineering
o   Permitting, Engineering

Artist’s Scope of Work

o   Contract with City of El Paso to fulfill the artist’s services
o   Collaborate with City and stakeholders to generate artwork proposal(s)
o   Conduct research, which includes examining the site, reviewing pertinent documents and plans, meeting with City staff, members of community, and neighborhood associations.
o   Prepare verbal, written and visual presentations to show schematic and final artwork proposal(s) to stakeholders
o   Fabrication and installation of artwork

Artist Selection Method

o   Artists will be asked to provide:
o   Artist statement, previous work examples, resume and letter of interest
o   Applications will be reviewed by an Artist Selection Panel (ASP), which may be comprised of a representative from the design consultant, one community member, City department(s), a visual art professional, and a member of the Public Art Committee.  The ASP will review all complete, eligible applications received by the deadline shown on the schedule.
o   The Artist Selection Panel (ASP) will select 3-5 finalists to proceed in the next phase of the project.
o   Criteria for artist selection includes, but not limited to:
o   Experience, success and/or interest in creating functional/interactive public artworks in collaboration with public entities, including universities
o   Experience working with large outdoor sculptures, including those placed in pedestrian walkways and vehicular traffic areas
o   Review of resume, letter of interest, and previous successful public art projects
o   The selected artists are invited to prepare a proposal.
o   The Panel recommends the selection of one of the finalist proposals to PAC.

Art Proposal Selection Method

o   The finalist selected will be placed under contract to provide design proposals for the project for review and approval prior to fabrication and installation.
o   Review of final design proposals performed by: PAC, prior to final approval.
o   Criteria for the review of design proposals include, but not limited to:
o  Meets the definition of Artwork.
o  Demonstrates artistic merit, including excellence in aesthetic quality, workmanship, innovation and creativity.
o Demonstrates appropriateness in scale and form.
o Meets the project’s goals as outlined in the Individual Project Plan.
o Demonstrates feasibility of construction and installation.
o Demonstrates feasibility in terms of budget, timeline, safety, security, durability, operation, maintenance, conservation, legal and ethical issues.
o Builds the diversity of the City’s public art collection.
o  Artist will then proceed to construction documents, fabrication and installation of the artwork.

Anticipated Schedule

o   Artist Selection Panel Review: February 2017
o   Notification to Selected Artist: March 2017
o   Request for Proposals: TBD
o   Stakeholder Review: TBD
o   Public Art Committee Review: TBD

Coordination with other departments and stakeholders

o   The CID department would be requested to provide construction oversight, assist in contractor selection, permitting procedures, and project management.
o   Potential stakeholders for this project include:
o   Parks and Recreation
o   Libraries
o   Community
o   Neighborhood Associations
o   Coordination efforts and review needs to occur with the following individuals:
o   Public Art Manager
o   Parks & Recreation
o   CID
o   Libraries

Community outreach/Neighborhood input

o  Input from surrounding neighborhoods
o  Meetings could also be held during the design review process to receive additional information and direction from community

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

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