CALL FOR ENTRY

The City of Santa Clarita (City) is accepting applications from artists or artist teams who would like to be considered for a permanent artwork at the new community center. The theme is ‘Gateway’. Santa Clarita’s new community center will be a gathering place to bring people together and create a sense of local cultural space.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Under the Civic Art Policy, the community center qualifies as a City Capital Improvement Project that allocates 1% of eligible project costs for the design, construction, integration, acquisition, and delivery of civic art to be located on site and accessible to the public. The estimated budget for this project is $121,500. The new community center will be built on a City-owned six-and-a-half acre site located near the intersection of Soledad Canyon Road and Sierra Highway. The community center will include a gymnasium, fitness room, arts and crafts room, classroom, activity/multi-use rooms, and teaching kitchen. The outside components include a multi-use event area and basketball court.

OPPORTUNITY FOR ARTWORK

The identified location for the artwork will be on the street corner of Soledad Canyon Road and Sierra Highway. (Please see attached site plans and images for the specific identified location.)

The landscaping surrounding the proposed location for the three-dimensional artwork is composed of bushes and a few trees. There will be no seating areas located near the corner. This corner is a commuter corner and both streets have heavy car and pedestrian traffic. There are two popular bus stops on the sidewalks closest to the proposed artwork location, as well as a restaurant (Toppers Pizza). The adjacent corners have shops, restaurants, and a gas station.   Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2019. The building would likely be completed by 2021.

HISTORY

Links regarding the community and history of the area:

City of Santa Clarita – www.santa-clarita.com

Canyon Country Community Center - https://www.santa-clarita.com/city-hall/departments/recreation-community-services-and-open-space/recreation/canyon-country-community-center

Demographics - https://www.santa-clarita.com/city-hall/departments/community-development/demographics

Community Profile - https://www.santa-clarita.com/city-hall/30th-anniversary

Historical Society - https://www.santa-clarita.com/city-hall/departments/community-development/redevelopment/hart-park-historical-society

ELIGIBILITY

Artists 18 years of age or older residing in the United States are invited to submit an individual or collaborative artist application. Artists must have successfully completed at least one public art project with a government agency to apply. 

APPLICATION MATERIALS:

DEADLINE
November 12, 2018.

You must set up an account with CaFÉ in order to submit your entry. CaFÉ will guide you through the application process. Submissions must include the five items listed below.

1.     Cover letter

2.     Resume

3.     Description of past works: Including materials, location, budget, size and year completed

4.     Artist statement

5.     Portfolio: 15-20 images of past work. At least two of the images must be from a previous public art project with a government agency. Video (three maximum) and audio (two maximum) are accepted. Image files should be labeled with last name, first name, and number indicating your preferred viewing order. For example, John Doe would save as doejohn1.jpg

SELECTION CRITERIA

The first step for artists interested in applying is to submit the requested application materials through CaFÉ. From these submissions the Artist Selection Committee (Committee) will choose the top three to five scoring finalists to present their final proposed artwork. The proposed artwork should be original, site-specific in its design, complementary to the overall context of the surrounding area, and made with durable, low maintenance material that will withstand the hot weather and other elements of Santa Clarita.

Each finalist will receive a $1,000 honorarium to support the proposed creation. From the finalists, one artist will be selected for the installment and execution of their artwork. Deadline for requested application material is November 19, 2018.

Applicants will be judged on artistic merit, capability, past work, and supporting materials. The Committee includes one Arts Commissioner, an arts expert, a professional arts administrator, a local professional artist, and a community member. The Committee will review submissions and select three to five finalists to interview. Interviews via Skype are possible. One artist will be selected to move on in the process.

BUDGET

Artist is responsible for all associated expenses related to design, fabrication, transportation, and installation. Artists should factor these costs into their $121,500 to $135,000 budget. The selected artist will be asked to include a specific budget in their proposal. Artists are responsible for obtaining any required engineer drawings which would come out of the original budget. Travel and hotel must be covered with the project’s proposed budget. The selected artist will be required to include insurance coverage within their budget for the installation period only. The $121,500 can be paid in two or three installments depending on the needs of the artist. The final payment will occur after the project is completed. If protective coating is deemed necessary, this will be covered as a part of the project’s budget.

The selected artwork installation will likely be in winter 2020 or early 2021, but this is subject to change. The artwork is required to be installed before the Community Center opens. The artist will need to work closely with City staff to determine preparation of the site, i.e. structural, City codes, etc., permitted placement within the site, electrical, and the method in which the work will be installed.

Artist Responsiblites 

All costs related to transporting and installing the artwork will be the responsibility of the artist unless otherwise stipulated. Artists are responsible for obtaining any required engineer drawings. The artist is responsible for each step of the artwork installation.  Artist will be asked to provide a maintenance guide for proper care of the artwork.

City's Responsiblites 

Limited assistance from the City’s Public Works department is available on a case-by-case basis. The City will provide signage, a mobile/web presence associated with the work, and basic maintenance of the site. Upon installation, the City will assume limited liability for any gross damage (unrepairable by the artist) or theft of the artwork, excluding ceramic, glass, and other fragile sculptural materials or damage resulting from faulty construction or materials.

DURATION

Duration of installed artwork should reach the level of permanency, which is defined as a minimum of 25 years unless otherwise determined by the artist in the proposal. The artwork is to be continuously displayed during this time. The City reserves the right to request that the artist remove or repair artwork at any time during the first five years if circumstances require.

PROMOTION

The artwork will have a public dedication ceremony to launch its addition into the City’s public art collection. The City retains responsibility for advertisement of artwork through SantaClaritaArts.com and other social media sites. Any additional desired advertisement will be the responsibility of the artist.

REQUIRED BY FINALISTS ONLY (to be discussed with Committee in interview)

Finalists should be prepared to discuss their final project proposal in full detail.

REQUIRED BY SELECTED ARTIST ONLY (to be presented to Committee)

1.     Proposal should be clear and specific, outlining a plan. Consideration should be given to location or site, materials, and community’s culture.

2.     Budget should support activities, purchases, and costs related to proposal

3.     Maintenance and Conservation Information4.     Insurance

NOTIFICATION

Applicant will be notified by email of application status and the selected finalists will be invited for an interview with the Committee by November 29, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information about the prospectus, please contact Katherine Nestved at knestved@santa-clarita.com or (661) 250-3777.

 Mailed in application will not be accepted or return.