Application Closed
Eligibility: International
State: Arizona
Scottsdale Public Art
Call to Artists/Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
WaterView Public Art Project
Application Deadline: February 14, 2018
Total Project Budget: $1.1 - $1.5 Million
Scottsdale Public Art is accepting qualifications from artists for a public art opportunity along the Arizona Canal as part of the construction of a new hotel and residential development in the heart of Scottsdale. The selected artist will create a design for artistic enhancements of amenities with the priority on creating a pedestrian bridge spanning the Arizona Canal. Other amenities to be included in the design are a multi-use path, four seating nodes, lighting bollards, landscape, and stand-alone enhancements as the budget allows. Coordination will be required with the developer’s landscape architect for design in tandem with the art components described. Artists who have experience designing and completing projects with a similar budget and scope are encouraged to apply. This is a fast-track project, with concept designs due by May, 2018.
Up to three finalists will be selected to conduct interviews. Finalists will be paid an honorarium to cover costs for travel to Scottsdale for the interview.
Site Description
The new hotel and residential development will be located on the northeast bank of the Arizona Canal at the intersection of Camelback Road and Scottsdale Road. The pedestrian bridge will span the canal connecting multi-use paths on both banks of the canal. The owner of the canal is a public utility: Salt River Project. SRP operates a power substation adjacent to the hotel and residential development. A 20’ wide clear area shall be maintained at the top of the canal bank for SRP vehicle clearance within which a 10’ multi-use path will be located. Four pedestrian connection points will be included along the multi-use path to access the new residential development and the existing neighborhood east of 73rd Street. A private open space park for the residential development will bookend the site on the north with the power substation on the south. The area between the multi-use path and the residential development will be landscaped with opportunities for bollard lighting, seating, shade structures, and other enhancements as the budget allows.
The site sits in the heart of downtown Scottsdale, also known as Old Town. A variety of public art projects exist in this area. Along the Arizona Canal to the southwest is the Scottsdale Waterfront where Soleri Bridge and Plaza is a signature public art project. “The Doors” by Donald Lipski and “Copper Falls” by Bob Adams are also located at the intersection of Camelback and Scottsdale Roads.
More info on can be found online at:
http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/downtown
https://www.experiencescottsdale.com/downtown/
https://www.experiencescottsdale.com/stories/post/walkable-downtown/
Project Description and Scope
The scope for this public art project focuses on contracting with an artist or artist team to design, work with a fabricator, and oversee installation of a pedestrian bridge and other permanent artworks that can include and be integrated into new public amenities in connection with the construction of a new hotel and residential development. A successful design for this project should address and creatively reflect the spirit of downtown Scottsdale with respect to its history and its future, and the unique urban setting along the Arizona Canal as inspiration.
The budget for the project is inclusive of all costs associated with the project including the artist selection process, design costs, artist’s fee, fabrication, site prep, and installation. The budget includes all costs for travel for site visits, community meetings, and meetings between the artist and the project design team. The budget also includes all taxes and insurance.
Scottsdale Public Art
In 1985, Scottsdale adopted a one percent for art ordinance and established Scottsdale Public Art with the goal to enhance the quality of life afforded area residents and visitors. Since that time more than 60 permanent, 26 temporary and 86 private developer-funded public artworks have been commissioned throughout the community. Presently 30 new works are in various stages of design and construction. Scottsdale Public Art’s projects have won local, regional and national awards. The Scottsdale Public Art Collection includes traditional sculpture in the public realm such as Ed Mell's Jack Knife, a ground breaking freeway project: Carolyn Braaksma’s The Path Most Traveled, and a signature pedestrian bridge and plaza by Paolo Soleri. The Scottsdale Public Art collection also includes work by acclaimed artists such as Ilan Averbuch, Kevin Berry, James Carpenter, Cliff Garten, Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan, Larry Kirkland, Laurie Lundquist, Merge Conceptual Design, Dennis Oppenheim, James Turrell, and Scottsdale resident, Jeff Zischke. Projects underway include work being designed by Martin Donlin, John Randall Nelson, Jody Pinto, Phillip K Smith III (The Art Office), and the artist team of RE:Site.
Scottsdale Public Art seeks to incorporate the highest quality art in Scottsdale's public places in order to enhance the City's cultural and artistic identity and presence. Scottsdale Public Art seeks to instigate a renewed commitment to the public domain by way of such projects that may invigorate social, cultural, historical, or environmental issues. Projects may possess a direct social relevance that is community referential or they may push the "place making" envelope and involve the viewer in the complexities of the urban desert experience. Public art in Scottsdale is meant to combine a spirited perspective of traditional and new iconographies as well as celebrate and invigorate life in the public realm.
Scottsdale Public Art advocates, promotes and enables the integration of the work and ideas of artists into many facets of planning, design, and building in the community. Public art effectively invites community participation at all phases, from artist selection to dedication. During the design process, many different people and groups may review each public art project. Artists compete for a commission at a specific location; a selection panel comprised of city residents, art and design professionals, and city staff, chooses the artist; and the artist's design is then presented at public meetings prior to approval and fabrication and must be approved by the Scottsdale Public Art Advisory Board. In many cases, the artist becomes an integral member of the project design team.
Scottsdale Public Art is managed by Scottsdale Arts, a private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) management organization that administers the arts and cultural affairs of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, and also manages the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is the major resort center of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Although not all of the local major resorts are located in the city, the city contains the core of specialty shopping, art galleries, and recreational facilities, and many of the cultural and sporting events that attract and sustain the local tourism industry. Because of the lack of services in most areas adjacent to the city, Scottsdale’s retail centers, parks, employment centers, and libraries are heavily used by residents outside of the city. The high quality of the visual environment and character areas in the city is an important component of maintaining the tourism industry and civic framework.
In his study entitled “Scottsdale City Image” (a report to the City of Scottsdale’s Urban Design Studio), Todd Bressi reports that “Scottsdale is a city whose visual character is especially important to its residents, and where the sense of landscape and openness in the city are valued.” He suggests specific values that would contribute to a strengthened identity of Scottsdale’s civic framework and primary spaces of public experience: recognize the importance of the pedestrian scale of Scottsdale’s civic framework; celebrate the places that make Scottsdale great; strengthen the design of the arterial grid; and connect with the Sonoran landscape. These values hold true today and motivate the efforts of Scottsdale Public Art.
Selection Process and Criteria
The artist selection panel will evaluate artist qualifications based on five criteria: the applicant’s professional qualifications; proven ability to complete projects of a similar scope; artistic merit as evidenced by the submitted materials; and demonstrated ability to work with government agencies and stakeholders in the creation of a permanent public art project.
The artist selection panel will identify up to three finalists. Short-listed finalists will be invited to interview. For the interview, finalists are expected to discuss ideas they have for the project.
The artist selection panel will choose the artist for the project and forward that recommendation to the Scottsdale Public Art Advisory Board. Upon approval by the Board, a scope of services and budget will be developed based on the artist’s or artist team’s approach to the project
The Advisory Board approves art concepts along with the project scope and budget. Contract and project plan are to be negotiated with Scottsdale Public Art. The Advisory Board reserves the right to reject any and all applications.
Timeline
February 14, 2018 Deadline for response to RFQ (Midnight MST)
February 20, 2018 Anticipated artist selection panel shortlist
March 9, 2018 Anticipated interviews for shortlisted artists;
March 14, 2018 Approval and Contract Development; design process begins
May 1, 2018 Design submittal
Eligibility
All artists residing nationally or internationally are eligible to apply.
Application Delivery
Applications are being accepted via the callforentry.org web site.
Specific proposals are not requested at this stage in the process.
All materials submitted become the property of Scottsdale Public Art.
Submission Requirements
- Digital Images: 5 digital images of previously completed artwork. Do not collage multiple images into one image.
- Image Identification List: An image identification list corresponding to the submitted digital images. Each image should include: image number, artist’s name, title, year, media, location and project budget, dimensions, commissioning agency, collaborators or design professionals (if applicable).
- Resume or CV: Current professional resume or curriculum vitae (CV) including artist address, email, and phone number. Teams must submit one resume/CV per team member.
- Statement(s) of Intent: Address how the applicant’s previous experience and current artistic direction will result in a successful public art project.
- Three Professional References: Include name, title and affiliation, phone number and email address. References should be able to speak to your ability to provide services for a public art project of similar size and scope.
For Further Information
All questions regarding this Request for Qualifications are to be directed to Kevin Vaughan-Brubaker, Public Art Manager, Scottsdale Public Art, at kevinv@scottsdalearts.org. Please include artist name and contact info in all correspondence.