City of Frisco Public Art Program
RFQ #1906-098 Call to Artists
Traffic Signal Controller Box Wrap Project

Deadline: Friday, July 12, 2019, 4:00 p.m. CST (Application received)
Budget: $6,500.00
Apply online at www.callforentry.org

The City of Frisco Public Art Program is issuing this Request for Qualifications for a public art opportunity within the City. The City seeks qualifications from artists to be considered for the project listed in this document. To be considered for this project, all applications must be submitted via www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ™).

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to all artists. The City of Frisco does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, age, national origin, or disability. Qualifications by City employees or their relatives, and members of the Artist Selection Committee or Public Art Board or their relatives will not be considered.  

Qualifications must be submitted online by 4:00 p.m. CST, Friday, July 12, 2019, to www.callforentry.org. Online submissions must include:

• A completed Submission Cover Page.
• A typed cover letter describing your interest in the Traffic Signal Controller Box Wrap Project and how it relates to your past work.
• A typed artist resume with current contact information.
• A typed artist statement serving as a general introduction to your work and working methods. 
• Three references with current contact information, including name, phone, email address and project scope.
• Images of Past Work – Submit no more than 15 images of past and/or existing work that are appropriate to the Traffic Signal Controller Box Wrap Project. The first five images should be those most relevant to this Request for Qualifications keeping in mind the $6,500.00 project budget.

 Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.

 Selection Process

The Artist Selection Committee may include representatives of the Public Art Board, City of Frisco staff, artists, arts professionals, and community representatives that will review qualifications for the Traffic Signal Controller Box Wrap Project. The Committee will evaluate qualifications based on:

• Demonstrated excellence of past work in conceptual, aesthetic and technical terms.
• Professional qualifications and relevant experience.
• Stated interest and approach specific to this project.
• Ability to create artworks that meet the project requirements listed below.

The City of Frisco is not required to make a selection from these submissions, if, in their opinion, qualifications are not appropriate or if the project does not come to fruition.

Budget

The Traffic Signal Controller Box Wrap Project budget of $6,500.00 is all-inclusive for the design of six (6) original artworks to be displayed as wraps on six (6) traffic signal controller boxes. The City of Frisco will contract separately with a vendor to print and install the wraps from digital files submitted by the artist.

Questions

Questions related to this RFQ should be submitted to Frisco Purchasing via email to purchasing@friscotexas.gov, by 4 p.m. CST on Friday, June 28, 2019. Answers to all questions will be posted on the City of Frisco Purchasing page at www.friscotexas.gov.bids.

Traffic Signal Controller Box Wrap Project

The City of Frisco is seeking an artist to create six (6) original artworks for display as wraps on six (6) traffic signal controller boxes along Main Street (one artwork per box, locations listed below). This project is intended to represent Frisco through an interpretation of the themes outlined in the Community Character Framework of the newly adopted Public Art Master Plan. The Master Plan can be accessed here. The Community Character Framework begins on page 13. 

The artist will not paint or otherwise apply art directly to the boxes. The artworks must be converted into digital files by the artist for printing and installation as wraps by a vendor identified by the City. The artworks will be installed for a 2-year period beginning on the installation date. All artworks installed on boxes in close proximity to a business or property owned by anyone other than the City must be approved by that entity.

Traffic signal controller box locations:

• Main Street and World Cup Way, NE corner
• Main Street and Coleman Boulevard, North side (center)
• Main Street and Frisco Street, NE corner
• Main Street and 5th Street, NW corner
• Main Street and South Country Road, SE corner
• Main Street and Gary Burns Drive, SW corner

Public Art Requirements

The six (6) artworks displayed in the Traffic Signal Controller Box Wrap Project should:

• Consist of original designs that have not appeared elsewhere. The artist must agree to not reproduce or exhibit the designs for this project in any way during the 2-year installation period.
• Cover all sides and tops of the controller box and battery backup unit (see basic layout below). As there are slight variations, final measurements of the boxes will be supplied by the wrap installation vendor chosen by the City. The artist will not be permitted to incorporate the concrete base into the design.
• Be designed to be appreciated by pedestrians and passing cars. Fine details that could distract motorists are discouraged. The designs must not include any imagery that could be interpreted as City of Frisco street signage or traffic signaling. Any design that incorporates the City of Frisco logo must be approved by City staff.
• The artist is encouraged to design the artworks as one experience spread over approximately two miles of roadway. Each artwork should work well alone, but the six boxes should be connected visually in some way.
• Not infringe the copyright, trademark or other intangible rights of any third party. No advertisements will be approved.
• Be installed by March 6, 2020.

Originating as a small railroad and farming community in 1902, Frisco is now one of the most exciting places to live, work, play and grow in the north Texas area. Located 25 miles north of Dallas, Frisco is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. Money Magazine announced that Frisco topped its list of the "Best 50 Places to Live in America” in September 2018.

For more information about the City of Frisco, visit www.friscotexas.gov

The City of Frisco Public Art Program

The mission of the City of Frisco Public Art Program is to promote cultural, aesthetic, and economic vitality in Frisco, Texas by integrating the work of artists into public places, civic infrastructure and development of the community.

The goals of the City of Frisco Public Art Program are:

• To further the development and awareness of, and interest in, the visual arts.
• To integrate the design work of artists into the development of Frisco’s capital infrastructure improvements.
• To create an enhanced, interactive visual environment for Frisco residents.
• To commemorate Frisco’s rich cultural and ethnic diversity.
• To promote and encourage public and private art programs.
• To promote tourism and economic vitality in Frisco through the artistic enhancement of public spaces.
• To increase attachment to place.
• Engage community partners to build support for public art.

Traffic Signal Controller Box Wrap Project Timeline

Call Released:                                   Friday, June 7, 2019

Question submission deadline:          Friday, June 28, 2019 4 p.m. CST
purchasing@friscotexas.gov

Submission Deadline for RFQ:           Friday, July 12, 2019, 4:00 p.m. CST
(Application received)

Finalist Notified and Announced:        Friday, July 26, 2019

Contract Executed by:                        Friday, August 9, 2019

Artwork designs due for review
by staff and the Public Art Board:       Friday, December 9, 2019

Installation Complete deadline:          Friday, March 6, 2020

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria