Gold Star Families Memorial and Park, Canine and Equine Plaza

Every day, Chicago Police Officers leave their police stations to answer the call and serve the people of Chicago. Some work alone, some work on teams, but the majority work with a partner. These partners provide support and companionship. In the Canine and Equine units, these partners have four legs.  Some of these animal partners have given their lives to protect their human partners. Officers in these specialized units have asked that we create a place in the park where their animal partners can be honored and remembered for their sacrifice. Presently, there are eight canine and three equine partners that have died in service to the Chicago Police Department.

In 2005, the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park was built on the Chicago Museum Campus. Located east of Soldier Field, it pays tribute to the 585 men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice. In 2010, the Living Sacrifice Area, a place to honor catastrophically injured officers was added. We are now fundraising and developing plans for a Canine and Equine Plaza in the park.

The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation is seeking an artist or artist team to create wall-mounted high relief sculptures for the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park, Canine and Equine Plaza addition. The subjects are:

1.        Horse, life size or slightly larger, standing on the ground, with the horse’s head facing out. The horse is accompanied by its patrol officer partner, standing and holding the reins of the horse.

2.        Two dogs, life size or slightly larger, mounted and arranged on the wall in a dynamic grouping. The dogs may be “natural” or may be uniformed in their working equipment, or perhaps one of each. Holding leashes to one or both dogs should be their police officer handler.

The new commemorative space in which the artwork will be installed will consist of:

- a memorial wall, 8’-0” height, poured in place concrete, with architectural grade finish to match the ‘Living Sacrifice’ walls.  This wall will support the sculptural elements.

- Commemorative donor pavers

- Uplights of the wall

- Poured in place concrete seating

- Gravel paving

Artist will be responsible for the design, engineering, fabrication, permits, transportation, installation and insurance of the artwork. 

Artist will also consult with design team on placement and integration of artwork into the plans during final preconstruction design development.

Budget is inclusive of artist fee and all expenses.

Projected budget for the artwork is $300,000.00.

The selection committee will select 3 to 5 artists from whom to request design proposals. A design fee of $500 will be paid to the selected artists.

Timetable:

RFQ – deadline November 11, 11:59 PM CST

Semi-finalists selected and RFP issued – early December

Design proposals due – mid-January

Commission awarded – late January/early February

Installation of completed artwork – August/September 2020

For this RFQ please submit on CAFÉ:

LETTER OF INTEREST
A one-page letter stating your interest in and approach to this project. Please tell us how you generally approach opportunities of this nature and/or how you would go about developing the artwork for this site.

CURRICULUM VITAE
Please focus your CV on experience and projects most relevant to this opportunity. If you are applying as an artist team, one CV per team member.

(Please note: your LOI and CV should be distinct documents which together efficiently communicate your interest and qualifications.)

ANNOTATED IMAGE LIST
Please upload an annotated image list that includes the title, media, year completed, dimensions, and retail or commission price (if applicable) for each corresponding image selected from your portfolio. If a video is submitted as well, please include 2-3 sentences that describe its context.

4 to 8 images of past artwork

 https://www.cpdmemorial.org/honoring-our-canine-equine-partners
 

Canine Video

https://vimeo.com/365824173/7449d8d38e

Equine Video

https://vimeo.com/365823819/7d4438be37

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria