City of El Paso Public Art Program

The City of El Paso’s Public Art Ordinance was adopted by City Council April 4, 2006 to promote and encourage private and public programs to further the development and public awareness of, and interest in, the fine arts and cultural properties, to increase employment opportunities in the arts, to encourage the integration of art into the architecture of municipal structures for the City of El Paso and to provide for the citizens of the City high quality, publicly accessible works of art, which contribute to the urban landscape and symbolize the City’s sense of place.

Project Description

The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department Public Art Program seeks to commission a professional artist or artist team to design, fabricate and install site-specific artwork or artworks for the Schuster Avenue Reconstruction Project.  Art opportunities may include all items listed in the scope of work. Materials selected must be appropriate for a high-use environment, weather resistant and low maintenance.

The Schuster Avenue Reconstruction Project will extend from Prospect Street to Campbell Street, consisting of a full street reconstruction of Schuster Avenue to address the following components:

• New roadway pavement structure with two travel lanes with center turning lane or median with left turn bays
• Roadway striping and signage
• Bicycle facility, protected lane with physical barrier, including striping, green paint, and signage
• Bicycle signal head installation for bicycle facility
• Bicycle signal detection and actuation
• Sidewalks, driveways, ramps, curb and gutter
• Stamped concrete crosswalks
• Parkway improvements, to include street trees and landscaping
• Drainage system (if necessary)
• Lighting - Dark sky compliant decorative lighting fixtures

Public Art Opportunity

This public art project will commission an artist(s) to design and develop public art within the Schuster Avenue Reconstruction Project boundaries.  The project will provide the opportunity for the artist to fully engage with the community in developing the concept and design of the artwork. 

Vision

Public Art in El Paso will:

• Give voice to the City’s creative spirit
• Shape the look and feel of the City
• Define places that anchor the community
• Contribute to El Paso’s evolution as a dynamic urban place

Public Art Program Goals

• Enhance the quality of life of residents,
• Support creative and professional growth of the arts community,
• Support economic growth,
• Enhance the experience visitors have of El Paso, and
• Promote authentic images of El Paso as unique place, community and destination.

Budget

Total project budget is $200,000 to include design, fabrication, and installation. The budget is all-inclusive and must cover design fees, travel expenses, all materials and fabrication costs, insurance costs, engineering expenses, shipping and transportation to the site, as well as cover installation costs.

Artist’s Scope of Work

• Contract with City of El Paso to fulfill the artist’s services
• Collaborate with City and stakeholders to generate artwork proposal(s)
• Conduct research, which includes examining the site, reviewing pertinent documents and plans, meeting with City staff, members of community, and neighborhood associations.
• Prepare verbal, written and visual presentations to show schematic and final artwork proposal(s) to stakeholders
• Preparation of construction documents
• Fabrication and installation of artwork

Artist Selection Method

• Open competition
  • Applications to be submitted on the CAFÉ Website
• All artists will be asked to provide:
  • Artist statement, previous work examples, resume and letter of interest.
• Applications will be reviewed by an Artist Selection Panel (ASP).  The ASP will review all complete, eligible applications received by the deadline shown on the schedule.
• The Artist Selection Panel (ASP) will select a finalist to proceed in the next phase of the project.
• A finalist will then be selected and presented to the PAC for approval.
• The approved finalist will be placed under contract to work closely with the master plan design consultant and to point out potential artwork integration possibilities.
• The selected finalist will provide design proposals (concept design) for the project for review and approval prior to implementation.
• Review of final design proposals by PAC, stakeholders, and MCAD, prior to final approval.

Art Proposal Selection Method

• The selected artist will be placed under contract to collaborate with consultants on public art opportunities for review and approval prior to fabrication and installation.
• Review of final design proposals performed by: PAC, prior to final approval.
• Criteria for the review of design proposals include, but not limited to:
  • Meets the definition of Artwork.
  • Demonstrates artistic merit, including excellence in aesthetic quality, workmanship, innovation and creativity.
  • Demonstrates appropriateness in scale and form.
  • Meets the project’s goals as outlined in the Individual Project Plan.
  • Demonstrates feasibility of construction and installation.
  • Demonstrates feasibility in terms of budget, timeline, safety, security, durability, operation, maintenance, conservation, legal and ethical issues.
  • Builds the diversity of the City’s public art collection.
• Artist will then proceed to construction documents, fabrication and installation of the artwork.

Anticipated Schedule

• Artist Selection Panel Review: October 1
• Public Art Committee review: October 9
• Notification to Selected Artist: October 10

Coordination with other departments and stakeholders

• The capital improvement department will be requested to provide construction oversight, assist in contractor selection, permitting procedures, and project management.
• Potential stakeholders for this project include:
  • Streets and Maintenance Department
  • Community
  • Neighborhood Associations
  • UTEP
  • Adjacent businesses
• Coordination efforts and review needs to occur with the following individuals:
  • Public Art Program, MCAD
  • Capital Improvement Department

Community outreach/Neighborhood input

• Input from surrounding neighborhoods
• Meetings could also be held during the design review process to receive additional information and direction from community

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria