REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

TRAVELING COMMUNITY ART PROJECT

CREATIVE PINELLAS

RFQ DATE: 06/11/2018
 

PROJECT DETAILS:

Deadline: Aug. 17, 2018

Budget: $325,000 (all inclusive)

Honorarium: $3,000 per artist/team finalist

Images: 6-10

Applicants must be 18+ years of age and have resided in Pinellas County, Florida, for at least one year prior to Aug. 17, 2018

Applicants will be evaluated on their history of public art commissions, letters of reference and demonstration of past projects of commensurate size and scope. Artists who have experience with community interaction are encouraged to apply

Artists should demonstrate a commitment to the greater community of Pinellas County

For assistance, contact Jessica McCormick at 727-582-2228 or jessica.mccormick@creativepinellas.org
 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 17, 2018, 11:59:59 Eastern Daylight Time

 

PROJECT MISSION:

The spirit of this project is to foster community through a county-wide traveling art experience by transforming and activating public places. By bringing interactive art to the community, we encourage our residents to have a personal experience with the art. In doing so, we aspire to create a legacy of communal participation and ownership across Pinellas County.

About Creative Pinellas

At Creative Pinellas our mission is to facilitate a vibrant, integrated, collaborative and sustainable Pinellas County Arts Community and cultural destination. We strive to be the premier Local Arts Agency, recognized locally and globally for our contribution to arts and culture. We are focused on creating vibrant communities; supporting artists, arts organizations and the creative community; supporting economic development; showcasing Pinellas County as a cultural destination; and making arts and creative expression and experience available to all.

As the County’s Local Arts Agency, Creative Pinellas and the programs we deliver are funded by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, Visit St Petersburg / Clearwater, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and by sales of the State of the Arts specialty license plate in Pinellas County.

 

PURPOSE:

Creative Pinellas seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create original public art that serves as a community-building project with a focus on interactivity and/or active engagement, to be transported to and installed at various locations around Pinellas County over a minimum of two years.

 

ELIGIBILITY:

This project is open to artists who have been residents of Pinellas County, Florida, for at least one year and aged 18 years and older only. Artists in all disciplines and stages of their careers are encouraged to apply.

Artist groups and collectives may apply, with lead artists and team member roles defined.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (subject to change):

June 6, 2018                 Project announced

Aug. 17, 2018               Submission deadline

Late August, 2018        Select finalists

Late November, 2018   Select project artist

January - April 2019     Fabrication

Spring 2019                  Artwork deploys to first location

Spring 2021                  Artwork deploys to final location

 

BUDGET:

$325,000 all inclusive of, but not limited to:

• Design

• Materials

• Fabrication

• Engineering

• Artist fees

• Other consultants’ and subcontractors’ fees

• Insurance (to be maintained for the duration of the project)

• Delivery to and removal from multiple installation sites for duration of project

• Installation

• Permitting review and fees

• Maintenance

• Video and photographic documentation of construction, installation and activity at various locations*

• Storage

*(In order to ensure archival quality and continuity of photo and video documentation, Creative Pinellas will collaborate with the project artist to select a documentarian(s). Funding for photo and video documentation must be included in the artist's project budget.)

Artists will be paid in no less than four and up to six phased payments, dependent on project schedule. Payments will be timed to coincide with design, fabrication, deployment and relocation.

The selected artists will be required to enter into a professional services agreement with Creative Pinellas.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

In 2017, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners set aside BP settlement funds for an innovative, traveling public art project. Creative Pinellas will manage this process from start to finish, bringing this unique and engaging project to communities throughout Pinellas County, generating discussion on the role the arts play in our daily lives and cementing the County’s legacy as an arts and culture destination.

 

PROJECT THEMES AND GOALS:

The project seeks to engage audiences through interactivity by removing traditional barriers to participating and engaging with art. Because this project will be placed in various communities throughout Pinellas County, it must reflect and respond to these host neighborhoods. In order to do this, the artist should approach this project from the perspective of both the singular individual, their role as part of a community, and as a part of the larger Pinellas County identity. The work must be inclusive and have the ability to generate excitement and interest to draw people from their immediate localities. Artists are encouraged to be open to the possibility of an evolution in the ways the audience experiences the art as it moves to different locations. This evolution does not have to take the form of a physical change; changes can result from how the audience experiences or interacts with the art, programming and activities specific to each location, or different placements and/or configurations at each site. Artists must be willing to research and engage with the host communities in order to help inform the art. This may take the form of community meetings, one-on-one interviews, small group interviews, community participation, or other similar engagement activities.

Final project concepts may include, but should not be limited to:

• Digital media and new technology

• Recycled/reclaimed materials

• A feeling of play that can encourage multigenerational participation

• A performative aspect that may include artist or collaborator-led performances, audience interaction or a combination of both

• Ability to change under different environmental conditions or with new locations

• Inspiring a sense of temporary ownership when residents and visitors interact with the piece, whether through the experience of the participant contributing to or receiving from the content of the project

During the review process, the proposed artwork should be accessible to, and a reflection of, the different communities surrounding the host locations. When developing a proposal, some questions to ponder include:

1. How will each community experience this art?

2. Will this artwork change, shift or evolve as it moves to new locations?

3. How will this artwork interact with its site placement?

4. How is the public intended to interact with it?

To ensure that all Pinellas County citizens can freely engage with this artwork, the piece cannot have barriers to physical participation. It should foster a shared experience that people will be excited to talk about and create a memory that inspires further engagement and repeat visitation.

The strongest project proposals will engage the temporary nature of this series of installations and relate strongly to the idea of building a larger sense of community through public art. Ephemeral works are encouraged. Artwork should appeal to both local residents and visitors to the area. As this artwork will need to move up to 12 times during its exhibition, artists are encouraged to consider the construction and de-installation of this artwork when it comes to materials. Artists are encouraged to select flexible or durable materials to reduce maintenance costs and extend the lifespan of the artwork. Artists must also consider the impact these actions may have on the display site. The artwork should be minimally invasive, or the artist should make arrangements with the site host that the site is returned to its original condition following the removal of the artwork. Creative Pinellas will assist with arranging the proper permits and reviews necessary to ensure safety needs are met. Project materials must be low maintenance, safe for both children and adults, be mindful of ADA accessibility, and should not have a negative or harmful effect on the environment in which it is located.

 

SITES DESCRIPTION:

All artwork locations are exterior sites in Pinellas County. Specific sites for the artwork will be determined by the special and technical requirements of the selected artwork.

Confirmed artwork sites, while subject to change, initially include:

• Oldsmar Public Library - 400 St. Petersburg Drive E, Oldsmar

• The new Clearwater East Public Library - 2465 Drew Street, Clearwater

• Largo Central Park Performing Arts Center - 105 Central Park Drive, Largo

• Pier 60 Park - Causeway Boulevard, Clearwater Beach

• Josiah Cephus Weaver Park - 1258 Bayshore Boulevard, Dunedin

• Pinellas Hope - 5726 126th Avenue N, Clearwater

• War Veterans Memorial Park - 9600 Bay Pines Boulevard, St. Petersburg

• Weedon Island Preserve - 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg

• Lealman Community Center - 5175 45th Street N, St. Petersburg

Other sites will be identified during the review process.

As sites have been pre-selected, proposed works must be able to fit within a variety of locations. Artists are encouraged to remain flexible with their proposals. Access to electricity may not be available at some of the sites. Due to ever-shifting weather patterns that may arise, the artwork must be sufficiently durable and secured, or be able to be secured or otherwise responsive, against heavy rains and intense weather conditions. The artist will develop a hurricane preparation plan prior to deployment. The artist understands that, through public exhibition, their artwork may be subject to damage, vandalism or theft. Artists are required to carry general liability insurance for the duration of the project. Such costs are to be included in the artist’s budget for this artwork. Site-specific security protocols will be employed; however, neither Pinellas County, Creative Pinellas, nor the site host will be responsible for such occurrences.

 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Please read this section carefully. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered; no exceptions will be made. The applicant’s name must appear on all materials submitted.

All materials must be submitted online, via the CaFE website (www.callforentry.org). There is no application fee to apply or to use the CaFE online application system. Applications are not accepted by mail or e-mail.

All artists and artist teams applying must post the following:

1. Six (6) to ten (10) images for review with all pertinent information (artist name, artwork title, medium, dimensions, price/value, year completed and commissioning agency if applicable). Inclusion of videos or links to videos no longer than three (3) minutes is optional.

2. A current artist’s resume, placing emphasis on public art projects or other related art experiences. Please include budget amount for all projects and indicate team member role, if project is a design collaboration.

3. A letter of interest describing why the applicant is excited about this project and how they would fulfill and commit to the project’s scope and goals. Artist teams will post a collective statement about their team’s work. Specific proposals are not requested at this stage in the process.

4. Professional references for up to three (3) past installations, exhibitions or public commissions. Include phone numbers and email addresses.

5. Proof of Pinellas County residency for a minimum of one (1) year, which may take the form of a copy of a driver’s license, utility bill, vehicle registration, etc.

 

INITIAL SELECTION PROCESS:

A Public Art Panel will review all material and will select finalists to create a proposal of artwork. Finalists will be invited to submit, in person, final project proposals that include a more detailed depiction of how their artwork will meet the purpose and goals of this project, how the artist intends to interact with the public, and how the public will interact with the artwork. All proposals must include a full budget estimate including all design, fabrication and transportation costs for an exhibition period of at least two years. Individual honoraria of at least $3,000 per artist/artist team will be available to finalists to prepare site-specific proposals.

 

SELECTING THE WINNING ARTIST:

The project artist or artist team will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

1. How they would fulfill the project’s scope and goals.

2. Strength and artistic merit of past works.

3. Experience and approach as evidenced in written materials and professional references.

4. Ability to complete a project of commensurate scope on time and within budget.

The panel will include a minimum of six voting members, including one member of the Creative Pinellas Board, four artists or arts professionals (designer, curator, collector, public art administrator, etc.), and one representative from the business community. It is unlawful for artists to solicit opinions or viewings from individual members of the Public Art Panel prior to set committee reviews and will result in disqualification from the competition.

As part of the final artwork selection process, all proposals will be made available for public review at a number of accessible locations throughout Pinellas County and at www.creativepinellas.org. The Public Art Panel will consider community feedback gathered through this process when making their final decision.

After finalists’ presentations and interviews, the Public Art Panel’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Creative Pinellas Board for approval. The winning proposal will also be shared with the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners. Upon approval, a contract for the artist’s project will be arranged between the artist and Creative Pinellas.

 

ARTIST/ARTIST TEAM SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS:

The selection criteria used by the Public Art Panel to choose the project artist shall include but is not limited to: quality of project concept, thoroughness of proposal, quality of past work, and how the artwork relates to the theme of interactivity and community-building.

References provided as part of this application will be contacted prior to artist interviews.

 

DISCLAIMER:

Creative Pinellas reserves the right to reject any or all applications, proposals or finalists, and terminate or re-advertise any project without prior notice.

 

FOR TECHNICAL HELP AND FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE RFQ:

Please contact Jessica McCormick, Public Art Project Coordinator, at 727-582-2228 or jessica.mccormick@creativepinellas.org.

 

Useful Links (for inspiration and discussion of temporary, interactive public art)

https://inhabitat.com/giant-interactive-wheels-light-up-montreal/

http://ritualfields.com/project/before-i-die/

https://www.bridgepark.org/blog/beyond-art-temporary-urban-installations

http://www.theurbanconga.com/urban-pixels

http://www.snarkitecture.com/the-beach/

https://www.tenfoldengineering.com/

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

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