CALL FOR PROPOSALS: Communication: Endless Possibilities Past, Present, Future
$30,000 Public Art Design Commission
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Submission Deadline: October 31, 2018

INTRODUCTION:
The Women’s Art Initiative (WAI) of Rock Hill is a public art advocacy group whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for the community by reflecting its cultural values and artistic vitality through public art. 

PROJECT & THEME OVERVIEW:
WAI in Rock Hill, SC, in collaboration with The City of Rock Hill, is seeking proposals from artists/ designers to create a contemporary, outdoor design feature, sculpture, or artwork at the entry of Comporium’s Telephone Museum on Elk Avenue. It will serve to celebrate communication and technology; specifically its multi-level history in the City of Rock Hill and its vast, endless possibilities for innovation. Thus, it will provide opportunities for dialogue emphasizing the increasing impact of technology and communication on our future. The piece shall exemplify the communication concept as one in constant evolution and act as an engaging and educating entrance area into the space directly adjacent to the Telephone Museum. The piece must be child/family friendly and ideally have an interactive or kinetic feature.

WAI will select one artist’s/ designer’s proposal whose vision for this project incorporates these themes. The artist/designer will be responsible for the design, creation, transportation, and installation of the project and will work with the WAI Selection Committee and the City of Rock Hill staff. 

ELIGIBILITY & QUALIFICATIONS: 
Professional artists and designers who have demonstrated success with outdoor public works of art, with evidence of track record, are encouraged to apply. This opportunity is open to participation by individuals 18 years of age or older residing in any of the United States. Artists/ designers who reside or have their studios within the southeastern United States, are highly encouraged to apply. Board and committee members of WAI or selection panel are not eligible to apply. 

SITE DESCRIPTION:
The site is on Elk Avenue in the historic Olde Town District of Rock Hill. It is located in front of the entrance of the Comporium Telephone Museum at 117 Elk Avenue. (Please see images in this call for reference.) The museum explores over 100 years of telecommunications while highlighting the changes in communications since its inception in Rock Hill in 1894 and chronicles the history of the Comporium Communications Company. The site’s surrounding area is highly visible. It is adjacent to a parking lot which serves a number of businesses, such as eateries, the York County Visitor’s Bureau, and City Hall. Throughout the year, the site is visited during outdoor events, concerts, and festivals. The site also functions as a gathering place for visitors of all ages marking it a point of interest for Olde Town Historic Walking Tours. 

The site spans approximately 66’ x 20’ and the finished work should be fully integrated into the site. (Please see drawing in this call for details.)

Possible installation areas available for proposal:
1. Existing pedestal in the oval shaped bed – keeping all existing hardscape intact, landscaping can change. There is an existing base/pedestal on the site which may be used, but is not required. It is a 4’-8” diameter, round, concrete (with brick façade) platform at 18” high and has a 7.5” opening at the center. The pedestal is in an oval shaped bed (16’-6” x 5’-9”) that is accessible from all sides.
2. Oval shaped bed with or without pedestal – keeping all existing hardscape intact, landscaping can change.
3. Oval shaped bed with or without pedestal and surrounding planting beds closest to the building– keeping all existing hardscape intact, landscaping can change.

Design must keep path and walkways clear and safe as well as be children and family friendly. The installation may be in the range of 12’ tall. No “overhanging” parts are permitted by the City. It is the responsibility of the artist to verify all dimensions, opportunities, and constraints of the site. 
Existing benches in area can be removed, changed, or stay as is. (Please see images in this call for reference.)

BUDGET/SCOPE:
The WAI’s budget for the design, construction and completion of this project is $30,000.  The proposed budget of $30,000 is intended to cover all associated costs for the visioning, design, fabrication, site preparation and installation, including artist and apprentice fees, proposal, materials, additional labor, insurance, shipping, travel, and convening expenses. 

A preliminary itemized budget and timeline are required with submission. Upon award of the contract, the chosen artist(s)/designer(s) will be required to submit a finalized itemized fee proposal. This budget should include all expenses associated with the design, fabrication and installation related labor, materials, contracted services (consultants and apprentices), insurance, meetings and travel required to complete the project not to exceed $30,000.

SUBMISSION DETAILS:
All proposals must be submitted through CAFÉ. IMPORTANT: Each artist can submit up to 4 proposals with 10 images. These can be images of sketches, renderings, etc. If you wish to enter additional proposals, checkout and submit the first application, then return to "Apply to Calls" and choose APPLY AGAIN TO THIS CALL. Repeat the process for up to 4 applications. 

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:
• Design Proposal: In a written statement, discuss a concept and details for the project. Include a brief outline, materials to be used, a preliminary budget, and timeline.
• Design Images: Submit 5 digital images of site-specific design ideas and renderings. Images must be submitted as "High" quality JPEGs. 
• Work Sample Images: Submit 5 digital images of professional work. Images must be submitted as "High" quality JPEGs.      
• Resume: If submitting as a team, one resume for each team member should be submitted, as one document.  We ask that it include a list of previous public art projects and locations.
• 3 Professional References: Submit a list of three professional references that have an intimate knowledge of the artist’s work and working methods. Include complete addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses.

SELECTION PROCESS:
The WAI Selection Committee, comprised of multi-disciplinary community leaders, will review proposals.  A selection will be based on the following criteria:
• Experience and success in creating public artworks in collaboration with architects, design teams, and diverse community members
• Aesthetic merit of past projects; appropriateness of artistic medium and concepts
• Excellence in quality of art or design
• Connection to themes, site and community
• Impact on the audience/visitor
• Durability, safety and resistance to vandalism
• Minimal maintenance requirements

TIMELINE: 
Call for Proposals- September 2018     
Deadline for Submission- October 31, 2018 
Selection- November 2018
Contract- December 2018
Design/ Development/ Schematics- Winter 2018-19
Construction- Spring 2019

The WAI Selection Committee reserves the right to reject any or all applications, proposals, applicants, projects and to modify or terminate the application process or the selection process for any reason and without prior notice.

ARTIST/ DESIGNER AGREEMENT ITEMS:
The artist/ designer selected for the project will be required to execute an Artist/ Designer Agreement for provision of the Artwork with WAI. Among other items, the following selective items will be included in that agreement:

INSTALLATION: 
Upon awarding the artist/ designer, she/ he is responsible for the professional installation of the artwork and must supply designs/ specifications, insurance, permits required, and must meet all contractual specifications. Artwork must meet hurricane resistant wind loads. 

MAINTANENCE & DURIBILITY: 
All applicants are expected to consider the issues of long-term conservation and maintenance of public art, along with time and budget. These projects exist in the public realm and are exposed to weather and physical stresses, as well as vulnerable to vandalism. Public art projects should be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials. Applicants are encouraged to consult with a professional conservator prior to the submission of a proposal. Selected proposals will be reviewed by the City of Rock Hill and other appropriate agencies to ensure conformity with city standards of maintenance and durability, as well as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. 

INSURANCE:
Selected artist/ designer and subcontractors (if any) shall maintain the following insurance in the amounts and coverages required by WAI:
• General liability insurance
• Workers compensation and employers liability
• Automobile liability
• Professional liability insurance
• Property insurance

Artist/ designer, at his/her option, is responsible for any desired insurance against damage to or loss of artwork during fabrication, delivery or installation.

PERMITS: 
It shall be the artist’s/ designer’s responsibility, where applicable, to obtain all necessary permits prior to fabrication and installation. The artist/ designer will ensure that the design will be code compliant.

QUESTIONS: 
We are here to help! Here are two ways to get additional images or drawings of the site or to get your questions about this project addressed: WAI Secretary Ms. Caroline Rust Ward can be contacted at 803/323-4633 or womensartinitiative@gmail.com ;  WAI Selection Committee Chair Ms. Karen Howard can be contacted at 803/323-2493 or howardk@winthrop.edu

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria