Public art is important to a community's sense of place, art that represents a community's defining past, present self-image and hopeful future.  England Airpark is looking for innovative work that uses a unique space to honor valiant service and uplift the Airpark with public art.

SELECTION COMMITTEE

The committee will evaluate qualifications and brief proposals with the following criteria in mind:                                                      

• Impact of the artwork on an aesthetic level
• Appropriateness of the scale of the artwork
• Relationship of the work to the site and The Airpark's community, how it serves to activate or  enhance public space
• Relevance of the piece to the Airpark and the community at large, including values, history, culture and people
• Suitability of the work for outdoor display, including maintenance and conservation requirements.
• Feasibility: Installation proposal (timeline for installation, impairment of traffic, weight of the work, and effect on infrastructure (effect on underground lines, artwork safe for high traffic area etc...)

PROJECT GOAL

To incorporate a public sculpture that serves as a focal point for the Airpark roundabout and compliments the surrounding adjacent public space which has been developed with a military context. 

PROJECT THEME

Public Art Commission to honor U.S. Army and National Guard light infantry, in particular the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, which were formed in Central Louisiana. (See more discussion in “About England Airpark/About the Project”.)

OBJECTIVES

• Sculpture will be seen as source of pride within the Airborne, light infantry,  Army and wider service veteran community.

PROJECT BUDGET

$125,000 (includes artist design fees, materials, fabrication, artist travel, shipping and final installation consultation.)

SITE

Roundabout Site Dimensions:  23' 7" circumference (circular grassy knoll at present time) From street surface to highest point in the mound center circle, 5' rise.   No height restrictions.  Power accessible.  (See Google Earth for ground level and aerial visuals.) 

The roundabout services a large number of vehicles and visitors each day.  That number will increase not diminish in the future.  Most roundabout users are doing business at the Airpark.  A large number of users are passing thru to connect to I-49  and La 1.  All military traffic using England Airpark for JRTC rotations goes thru the roundabout.  Annually, this amounts to several tens of thousands of military personnel and several tens of thousands of pieces of associated equipment.

Key Notes c/o Site:

• The roundabout is a prominent landmark at England Airpark
• Treatment of the space in the roundabout can set expectations about what one might find in the rest of the Airpark.
• The roundabout has been developed to compliment Heritage Park. Heritage Park is a nationally recognized public space commemorating the U. S. Air Force at England.  The areas improved traffic flow and fountains have been well received by the Community.  The center piece should also enhance that gateway experience and Airpark story.
• The item placed in the center of the roundabout should reflect the activities, actions and/or history of England Airpark within the theme.
• The item should be "world class" in presentation, inviting to guest and locals, creating a source of  pride.
• The item should be uplifting, unifying and not dividing.

ELIGIBILITY/PREREQUISITES

            Artists must have installed pieces of similar scale for the public art sector

            Demonstrate involvement in a public art project/process

            Demonstrate ability to  design, fabricate, coordinate public art commissions

            Able to join electronically for meetings w/ the England Airpark Authority and/or the    selection committee                  

            Demonstrate experience in engaging with community through public art unveiling and public meetings.

APPLICANT SUBMISSIONS

All applications for this project are being accepted through the online platform, CaFÉ™ (www.callforentry.org ).  No hard copy or emailed submissions will be accepted.  The applicant will be asked to submit a brief statement of interest, work samples consisting of a maximum of 20 digital images of art (see below for more information), resumes, references and a raw proposed rendering for the site.

The applicant shall submit the following:

Statement of Interest – A statement of interest of 500 words or less must be submitted.  It should briefly outline the interest in the specific opportunity and applicable experience. Please demonstrate an ability to successfully complete a project of this scope and scale.

Work Samples – Work samples of both public and private projects with description and cost of similar scope and scale.  To be considered for this project, the applicant must electronically submit a minimum of 6 and max of 20 digital images of previously completed artworks. 

Resume – Submit current resume and references, that outlines your professional accomplishments as an artist or artist team.  If applying as a team, please submit a resume for each artist and member with the lead first.  Describe the relevant experience of the artist and team with projects of similar scope and scale.

References - Provide contact information, phone numbers and emails for three of the projects shown in work samples above.

Preliminary Sketch - simple, raw rendering for the proposed site

Additional Information regarding this RFQ:

Do not submit any materials not specifically requested as part of this application. They will not be considered or reviewed by the Selection Committee.

All questions regarding this RFQ are to be directed only to River Oaks Square Arts Center (Call Facilitator) Administrator listed below. Applicants may be disqualified if any unsolicited contact related to this RFQ is made with a member of the Selection Committee other than the Project Administrator during the selection process.

England Airpark/Alexandria International Airport  reserves the right to cancel this RFQ at any time or to postpone the date and time for submitting applications. No applicant shall have the right to make a claim against the England Airpark/AEX in the event the England Authority cancels this RFQ, decides not to proceed with the selection or commissioning process, awards a contract, or determines not to award any or all contracts specified in this document.

COMMISSION

England Airpark/Alexandria International Airport  may commission an artist or team to work on the project.  A shortlist of a maximum of five (5) artists and/or teams may be selected from respondents to this “Call for Entry RFQ” and will be invited to participate in a stipend-compensated, expanded Request for Proposal (RFP) process.

Artist Shortlist and Selection

 The Art Selection Committee composed of art professionals, representatives of project stakeholders and community leaders may determine a shortlist of up to five (5) artists and/or teams, based on the following selection criteria:

     Addressing the requested theme.

     Artistic merit

     Appropriateness for outdoor environment

     Durability & ability to withstand climate extremes

     Maintenance regime (including vandalism approach)

     References/satisfaction of previous installed public art works

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS - RFP Finalists Only

 From this initial RFQ, finalists will be issued a formal RFP or invitation to submit a proposal for the art opportunity within the roundabout. The proposal shall include graphic depiction of the proposed artwork for judging and public presentation, schedule (design, fabrication, and installation), installation method and design, engineering and construction cost allocation. Additional requirements will be included in the RFP. Finalists may also be required to electronically attend an interview/public presentation, as part of the proposal evaluation process.   

Request For Proposal Design Honorarium

 Each finalist and/or team will receive a design honorarium of $1,500 for a proposal which includes the cost for the preparation of the presentation and possible travel and accommodations. The design honorarium will be paid upon the execution of an agreement within 65 days of the England Authority's receipt of proposals that meet all the requirements in the RFP. Only one honorarium will be paid per selected finalist artist/team.

 Upon the award of the Final Artist Team a contract may be executed for final design, engineering plans, construction documentation and a construction cost estimate and final construction/installation.

 Expectations Public involvement is critical to the success of any public art program. Artists will also work closely with the England Airpark and River Oaks Arts Center staff throughout the design process to ensure seamless integration with engineering and design process.  The finalist will be expected to accommodate an extended timeframe for completion based on available funds.  The finalist’s submittal may be used to solicit funding in the fund-raising campaign. 

 
BUDGET

The commission estimated budget for the project will be up to the amount of $125,000. The cost of the proposals will be considered based on a responsive bid.  Fund raising campaigns will be necessary for partial funding of project and  upon the selection of the winning artist and final proposal.  This fund raising effort may dictate the timing of the project installation.  A duration of 6-12 months from the award of the artist/team is anticipated for the fund-raising campaign.

The fee for each feature is all-inclusive, and will include design, fabrication, and installation of the work. The fee also includes all professional service fees, labor, materials, travel expenses, traffic control and incidentals necessary to produce the final artwork, including required preparation for and participation in coordination meetings with the Airpark and the community. Up to two (2) possible community/panel meetings will be required as part of the contract (some electronically).

It is anticipated, pending funding appropriations, that the public art installation will be complete and in place by Spring 2019.

TIMELINE (tentative and subject to modification)

Deadline for Entry:                                         September 8, 2017

Shortlist Notification:                                      September 2017

Issuance of RFP                                               October 2017

RFP Due Date:                                                November 2017

Artist Presentations:                                        January 2018

Notification of Finalist:                                   February 2018

Award Contract:                                              March 2018

Preliminary Design CD’s:                               June 2018

Final Design CD’s:                                          August 2018

Final Fund Raising Campaign:                       September 2018

Start Fabrication/Construction:                       Pending

Installation:                                                      April  2019

APPLICATION Q&A:

All questions regarding this Call/RFQ will only be accepted by email (Subject: England Airpark RFQ), not phone, and are to be directed only to the Project Administer:

Rachael L. Dauzat, River Oaks Square Arts Center, Executive Director/Public Art Liaison: Email: rachael@riveroaksartscenter.com     Fax: 318-473-2671

River Oaks Square Arts Center in Alexandria, Louisiana has conducted previous public art calls and will be handling this National RFQ for the Airpark.   www.riveroaksartcenter.com

River Oaks will serve as Call Liaison for the RFQ, RFP and final phases of this National Call to Artists.

ABOUT ENGLAND AIRPARK...ABOUT THE PROJECT

England Airpark, formerly an active military base, remained open for approximately 45 years.  The wonderful historical heritage of this facility is preserved in the general layout of the Airpark, Heritage Park, street names and buildings, many of which are still in use today.   It is estimated that approximately 65,000 Air Force personnel and family members rotated thru England AFB while open.  Heritage Park showcases a beautiful, nationally recognized, display of aircrafts honoring this legacy.

Interestingly,  this year celebrates the 75th anniversary of the creation of the 82nd and the 101st Airborne Divisions, both created at nearby Camp Claiborne.  America's first Airborne Division infantry was created in Central Louisiana.  These units were born out of the famous Louisiana Maneuvers, leading the way to victory on D-Day in Normandy.  Today, they are America's first reaction force to combat.  It is fitting that America's airborne point of the spear is still training in Central Louisiana at Ft. Polk.  It is said,  60% of the Army troops that have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan have passed thru Ft. Polk’s world class JRTC training.

To honor this critical mission and all that it entails, England Airpark is asking applicants to consider as a general theme an appropriate piece of public sculpture commemorating the U.S. Army and National Guard light infantry.  The England Authority is asking artists to take note of the volume of vertical space available to reflect the airborne aspect.  The site specific roundabout would be surrounded by appropriate landscaping and dramatic lighting for evening pedestrians and traffic.  This public art commission would represent the community at large; the Central Louisiana region; Veterans of the Armed Forces. It will serve as an uplifting symbol of honor and remembrance to the  visitors who frequent the Airpark on an annual basis.

Video:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByKCk1g_xlsQdmlYUy1MUkNadk0

 

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria