The purpose of this solicitation is to acquire Qualification Statements from interested artists or team of artists who would proceed to the RFP process (Request for Proposals). The finalists will be notified by email, on or before February 1, 2019.

The Town of Morristown is a growing regional hub in Northern New Jersey, which over the past decade has redeveloped and revitalized its historic and walkable downtown. Recent redevelopment projects have included a financial contribution from developers to pay for the design and installation of public art. The Town of Morristown, in collaboration with Morris Arts, seeks a professional visual artist or artist team, to create public artwork within one of the most prominent redevelopment areas in the Town.

The Market and Bank Redevelopment Plan encompasses approximately 0.55 acres of land wedged between Market Street and Bank Street on a central downtown block. The Redevelopment Area is being developed as two separate projects. The first development is 45,000 square feet of Class A office space, which serves as a visual focal point and gateway for the approximately 7,700 vehicles entering or leaving Morristown daily along Mt. Kemble Avenue. The second project is a six-story mixed-use building containing 54 apartments and 20,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space. There is a significant grade change between the two streets, which resulted in the construction of a large public stairway as part of the first project.

The goal of this project is to enrich the lively downtown area by creating a signature piece of artwork that enhances Morristown’s artistic reputation, speaks to the ideas of energy, movement and transformation, and honors Morristown’s rich history of innovation. The art should be viewed as a destination in and of itself, as well as a part of the aesthetic of the development that complements the modern architectural features of the buildings. This project will be focused on the public stairway, including the walls, ceiling and landings. A secondary portion of the project involves a 1,500 square foot open space area directly across the street from the stairwell that serves as the pedestrian entrance to a public parking deck.

The artist will have latitude in their choice of medium and design specifics of their work. Projects that include both two- or three-dimensional art, as well as lighting installations of the stairwell are encouraged. 

This project site, in the heart of downtown Morristown, sits between Market Street and Bank Street, extending from Washington Street (the southern side of the Morristown Green), to Mt. Kemble Avenue. The block is one-hundred-twenty feet at its widest, narrowing as it approaches the intersection of Mt. Kemble Avenue, Bank Street and Market Street. The redevelopment of this block adds both residential and commercial space. The artwork area is bisected by Bank Street, dividing the area in to two distinct sites.

Site A will include a public stairwell running between Market and Bank Streets. The stairway will be nine feet wide, with a clearance of ten feet at the Market Street landing and twenty-six feet at the Bank Street landing. The artist space will include the entire stairwell, as well as the wall of the top landing. Kinetic and light responsive projects are encouraged, especially those that integrate artwork on the walls of the stairwell and connect in some way with Site B across the street.

Site B is a 30-foot-wide, by 50-foot-long plaza space, at the corner of Bank and Ann Streets, and is adjacent to the Ann Street parking garage.  This area could accommodate sculpture, integrated seating or multiple media. Currently, the space contains several utility boxes. The ideal concept will see the two sites as one integrated project and will use the opportunity to creatively connect the sites. Site B will be at the base of the parking facility that will be used by residents and visitors to Site A. The project area is ideally situated to provide any art installation located there with a maximal amount of public exposure by virtue of the heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic that goes through every day.

Timeline

Selection of three finalist artists – January 2019 

Final selection of artist – February 2019

Selection Process: Qualification Statements will be reviewed and evaluated by the designated Public Art Advisory Committee. Upon receipt of Qualification Statements, no more than three finalists will be selected. Finalists will receive a $500 honorarium and will be invited to submit a formal proposal for the project. The RFQ process commences with the issuance of this RFQ. The Town reserves the right to, among other things, amend, modify or alter the Procurement Schedule upon notice to all potential Respondents. 

All communications concerning this RFQ or the RFQ process shall be directed to the Town’s Designated Contact Person. 

Designated Contact Person:

Kadie Dempsey- Public Art Project Coordinator

Eligibility: This project is open to all artists. New York Tri-State area artists are strongly encouraged to apply as are professional artists that have had previous experience completing Public Art projects of similar budgets and scales. Artists may apply in groups or propose to use subcontractors or additional hired labor.

The Town of Morristown does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, economic status, or gender identity.

Submission Requirements

The Qualification Statement submitted by the Respondent shall incorporate the information requested below: 

1.         Biography

2.         Resume (not to exceed 2 pages)

3.         Previous Public Art Work Samples [no fewer than two (2) or more than seven (7) samples will be accepted]

4.         Letter of Interest (500-word maximum)

5.         Letter of Intent that must include contact information and a description of how the artist or artist team meets the criteria listed in the RFQ (500-word maximum)

6.         List at least two (2) references with contact info from Previous Public Art Projects

Please note that we ask for your name to be absent from some of the requested documents. This is to ensure a fair playing field for all artists, and to avoid any bias during the selection process. Thank you for your understanding.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria