DUKE STREET TUNNEL PUBLIC ART PROJECT
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

The City of Alexandria, Virginia invites artists and artist teams living and working in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to submit their qualifications for a temporary public art project for the Duke Street Pedestrian Concourse. 

Project Overview

An artist or artist team will be selected to design a temporary public art project for the Duke Street Pedestrian Concourse. Located south of the King Street metro station, the tunnel was created in 2004 to allow pedestrian traffic to travel between the metro station and the Carlyle neighborhood. An average of 3,000 people walk through the tunnel each day.

The public artwork will be located inside the tunnel with potential expansion to the north entrance of concourse. The design of the tunnel incorporates a vaulted ceiling to reflect the historic beer vaults of the former West End Brewery. The concourse is enclosed and properly lit, but not climate controlled. Currently, there are twelve panels inside the tunnel, six on each side. There are additional exterior panels by the north side of the concourse.
Carlyle is a vibrant and walkable mixed-use community with a rich legacy. As Alexandria’s 'economic engine’ and innovation hub, Carlyle is the home of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the National Science Foundation, and Motley Fool. It sits on what used to be a cattle yard, a tannery, a slave pen, a glass bottle factory, and a brewery.

The project aligns with the Carlyle Vitality Initiative -an effort to enhance neighborhood vitality and quality of life for Carlyle residents, employees and visitors, as well as to improve the Carlyle area’s competitiveness in the regional office market. The initiative focuses on implementing physical and programming enhancements in Carlyle in order to activate the public realm. 

Application Deadline: June 4, 2017, at 11:59 MST
Budget: Up to $20,000

Artist Eligibility:

• Eligible artists must be 18 years or older and live or work in Virginia, Maryland, and District of Columbia.
• Selected artist/artists teams must be able to attend at least two public meetings.
• Emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply.

Timeline (subject to change without notice):

Applications due..................................... Sunday, June 4, 2017, at 11:59 MST
Final artist/artist team notified by........................ Week of June 19, 2017
Final artwork due..................................... September 2017

Artist Selection Criteria:

1. Applicants must demonstrate the following qualifications:
   • Artistic merit of body of work.
   • Ability to work with the community to design engaging artwork that is appropriate for the location.
   • Ability and willingness to collaborate with City staff and other stakeholders.
   • Ability to work with a variety of mediums.
   • Probability of successful execution and completion of the proposed artwork.
   • Appropriateness of qualifications for the project.
      
2. Applicants will also need to include the following:
   • Artist Statement:  In no more than 1000 words, applicants must clearly describe their general approach to public art.  
   • Letter of Interest:  In no more than 1000 words, applicants must clearly describe their interest in this project and how their approach to public art might relate to Alexandria’s Vision for Public Art and Carlyle's Vitality Initiative.
   • Resume:  Four (4) pages maximum.
   • At least minimum number of images.

Alexandria’s Vision for Public Art:  Public art in Alexandria is about the city’s past, present, and future.  Public art will enrich the experience of Alexandria’s past, celebrate the spirit of Alexandria’s present, and shape the identity of Alexandria’s future.  Public art in Alexandria may:

• Foster exploration and generate dialogue about Alexandria’s multiple and many layered stories
• Engage the past in contemporary ways
• Connect people to art that enriches their lives
• Provide opportunities for people to have hands-on encounters with art
• Foster conversations among people throughout the city
• Create whimsy and delight in everyday places
• Establish a distinctive identity for Alexandria’s evolving communities
• Enhance parks, gathering places and neighborhood focal points
• Enhance new infrastructure and community facilities. 

Resources: City of Alexandria Public Art Implementation Plan.

How to apply: Call for entry information must be submitted to CAFÉ  www.callforentry.org
 
For questions or additional information contact, please contact Jimena Larson, Public Art Coordinator at jimena.larson@alexandriava.gov

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

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