Call Detail
Clinch Park Tunnel Art Exhibition
Visit Organization Website
Contact Email: info@tcpublicart.org

Entry Deadline: 2/22/19
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum:Min. 10, Maximum:Max. 16
Audio | Minimum:Min. 0, Maximum:Max. 1
Video | Minimum:Min. 0, Maximum:Max. 3
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 10, Maximum:Max. 20
Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: National
State: Michigan

Project Intent

The Traverse City Arts Commission is seeking to commission a new work of art to be placed in downtown Traverse City.  The mural art will be completed by a commissioned artist.  The proposed art will be located in the existing pedestrian tunnel located under Grandview Parkway at the intersection of Cass Street.  The tunnel provides a safe pedestrian connection between downtown Traverse City and the waterfront and provides access to over 300,000 people annually.  The project will be a rotating exhibition with the possibility that the artwork will be compiled into a collection.   At a later date, the pieces in the collection could be displayed as its own exhibition or loaned to other art organizations, tribes, and communities to display.

The artwork will need to be transferable into a mural format and will be a digitally printed replication from original art.  The original art will be prepared by a professional artist who will coordinate and oversee the printing.  The original art will remain in the possession of the Arts Commission who may choose to display the art at another location or request the artist store the art.  A digital copy will be provided to the Arts Commission.

The Clinch Park Tunnel Art Exhibition is a collaborative project together with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (Grand Traverse Band).  The exhibition is currently being called the Mazinaadin Exhibition or “Make An Image”; however, the name has not been finalized.  Grand Traverse Band Elders, Anishinaabemowin, and Eyaawing Museum and Cultural Center will be providing technical and cultural support for programming of the exhibition.  The Band will also be supporting the Arts Commission’s Art Selection Panel in reviewing artist qualifications, artist recommendation, and selection of art to the Arts Commission.


Project Vision

To commission a mural that will be unveiled in a public ceremony in Summer 2019. The mural will provide a connection to the people of the region through an indigenous theme and perspective, be a destination and a landmark in Traverse City, exhibit for a minimum of 3 years and maximum of 5, and ultimately become part of the exhibition’s permanent collection.

The art will be reflective of the history and culture of the people of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (Grand Traverse Band) and the Woodland Indians of the Great Lakes.


Project Background & History

Prior to completion of the 2013 Clinch Park Improvements, Anishinaabek art and language was represented on the walls of the Clinch Park Tunnel. The stencil paintings were the work of artist Lois Beardslee and depicted regional animals.  The paintings were in place since at least 1995. Those paintings created a humble reminder for people of all ages and backgrounds of the connection to the people and place of this region. Unfortunately, time and the less than friendly environment in the tunnel had degraded the paintings over the 20 plus years that they were displayed.  The paintings were faded, wall staining had spread, and a few had graffiti over parts of them.

The stencils were white washed over with the updates to Clinch Park and the Tunnel in 2013 and 2014. A group of citizens, including members of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (Grand Traverse Band), members of the Traverse City Parks and Recreation Commission, met in that first year to begin exploring possibilities to return and maintain an indigenous presence through public art at Clinch Park. The mouth of the Boardman River is a traditional meeting place for native peoples and it is in this spirit that the purpose of this project aims to honor a historical connection to place and people with public art at Clinch Park with an indigenous theme and perspective.

With the creation of the Traverse City Arts Commission in 2015, public art projects finally had a committed and funded public body to steer them through to completion. The Arts Commission was successful in implementing the Brian Crough Memorial, “Enspire”, in Lay Park, the Perry Hannah statue in Hannah Park, and most recently the Coast Guard sculpture, “Guardian”, in Mini Park.  All of these projects were in the planning stages prior to the creation of the Arts Commission, similar to the Indigenous Art at Clinch Park project. In late 2017, members of the Arts Commission met to revive this project and most recently with the support of a newly appointed director, met several times from September to December 2018, with members of the Grand Traverse Band.

Through a collaborative effort the Arts Commission and City of Traverse City developed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Grand Traverse Band that provides a foundation for the planned art exhibition.


Project Details

The project will include (2) two murals for a total of 589 square feet; one (9) panel mural on the east tunnel wall and the second (10) panel mural on the west wall; each panel measuring 47” x 95”.  The mural art will be printed on vinyl and adhered to 6MM Alupanel.  The panels will be mounted to the concrete wall using stainless steel standoffs.  CNC cutting of the panels will ensure consistency and accuracy in the layout of the panels and the panel attachment.  The Arts Commission will cover the costs of the panel system including design, permitting, mounting, printing of the vinyl, and installation.

The project not only includes a mural, but also proposed lighting enhancements and the opportunity for audio and choreographed sound art.  The lighting and audio would be completed by the Arts Commission working closely with the Art Selection Panel, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and selected artist.


Additional Information

The project will require a permit from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to allow the panels to be attached to the walls.  A requirement of the permit application includes a condition assessment to be completed by a registered and licensed engineer - a sounding investigation was completed by Otwell Mawby in June of 2018 and a permit application is currently under review by MDOT. 


Location

The existing pedestrian tunnel is located under Grandview Parkway at the intersection of Cass Street.  View map location here
 

Contract Requirements

The finalist shall enter into a contract with the City of Traverse City upon acceptance of proposal. Michigan law shall apply to the contract and agreement between artist and the City of Traverse City.

Title to and ownership of the artwork passes to the City of Traverse City upon written acceptance of and payment for the work.

Copyright belongs to and remains with the artist. The artist retains all rights under the Copyright Act of 1976 (17 USC Section 101) as the sole author of the work for the duration of the copyright. The duration of copyright in the United States is currently the life of the author plus seventy (70) years.

The City of Traverse City retains the right to reproduce the artwork in any and all forms, and will include credit to the artist and notice of copyright on all reproductions.

The Arts Commission recognizes some changes may occur during the process of creating the finished artwork that will ultimately be transferred into a mural format and will be a digitally printed replication.  If, in the reasonable judgment and opinion of the Commission, the final artwork is materially different than the concept presented and accepted during the selection process, the Commission reserves the right to request revisions to, or recreation of the art. It is the responsibility of the artist to discuss with the Traverse City Arts Commission any changes during the creative process that could be considered materially different.

The artwork will exhibit for a minimum of 3 years and maximum of 5, and ultimately become part of the exhibition’s permanent collection.  At that time, the Arts Commission reserves the right to display as its own exhibition or loaned to other art organizations, tribes, and communities to display.

The City of Traverse City and the Arts Commission reserve the right to relocate the artwork to a comparable downtown site at the direction of the City Commission, should future City projects necessitate a change.

The City of Traverse City requires that the selected artist carry Liability Insurance in the amount of $2,000,000 (two million dollars) per incident during the production of the artwork, with an endorsement naming the City of Traverse City as additional insured.

The artist and the City of Traverse City shall and hereby agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless each other against any liability that arises out of the other Party’s negligent or willful behavior.

Artists will be disqualified if they owe taxes to the City of Traverse City.


Eligibility

The project is open to all qualified artists age 18 and over.  Artists who understand the history and culture of the Anishabek and Woodland Indians of Great Lakes are encourged to apply.  Teams of artists are welcome to apply.


Selection Process

The project will follow the process and guide described in the Public Art Program Master Plan for Traverse City, available at traversecitymi.gov/artscommission.asp and as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (Grand Traverse Band) and City of Traverse City.  The artist and final art will be selected by the Art Selection Panel and members of the Grand Traverse Band and a recommendation will be made to the Arts Commission for final consideration.

The Arts Commission reserves the right to reopen our search if the right finalist/project is not found.

The call for entry process will include the following:

  • The Art Selection Panel and members of the Grand Traverse Band reviews artists submittals and qualifications and develops a short-list with a maximum of (3) artists.
  • The selected artist(s) are invited to develop and submit a concept for the mural and will be compensated to develop a drawing or maquette.
  • The Art Selection Panel and Grand Traverse Band selects the final artist and makes a recommendation to the Arts Commission.
  • The Director reviews the recommendation, completes an artist phone interview, background check, and speaks with the references provided by the artist.


Budget

The project includes a comprehensive budget that has been developed by the Arts Commission which includes funding for site preparation, new lighting and sound, panels and appurtenances, printing of vinyl graphics, installation and the artist fee.  The artist fee is $9000.00 (Nine Thousand Dollars) in addition to a $500.00 reimbursable expense budget for travel expenses only. The artist fee includes all expenses for project completion including artist fees, materials, fabrication costs to develop the original art, documentation, transportation and shipping, and travel expenses over $500.00.

The Arts Commission will pay for all site preparation, permits, new lighting and audio system, panels and appurtenances, printing of vinyl graphics, installation of the stainless steel stand-offs and panels, high resolution scanning (if required), lighting and audio design, and any public events related to the project.


Timeline

January 2019               
Develop call for entry.
January 16, 2019         Call for entry approved by Arts Commission.
February 1, 2019         Call opens.
February 22, 2019       Call closes and artists qualifications due.
February 27, 2019       Art Selection Panel and Grand Traverse Band representatives review                                           artists qualifications and select up to (3) finalists.
March 8, 2019              Finalist submit concept art and maquette.
March 13, 2019            Art Selection Panel and Grand Traverse Band representatives selects                                          artist.
March 20, 2019            Artist and artwork considered by Arts Commission.
April-June 2019           Art fabrication.
June 5, 2019                Art Selection Panel reviews final art and makes recommendation to the                                       Arts Commission.
June 19, 2019              Final artwork considered by Arts Commission.
June 2019                    Preparation and installation of panel system.
July 2019                     Exhibit opening.
 

Maintenance

The Arts Commission will work with the selected artist to identify specific maintenance requirements for the mural.  The commission will work with the fabricator of the panel system to identify maintenance needs and replacement costs.  The maintenance plan will need to consider seasonal cleaning of the mural, panels, tunnel walls and ceiling and longer-term requirements including repairing chipping and cracking concrete and peeling paint.  An annual operations plan will also be included for choreographing any lighting effects and audio design.  All maintenance will be paid for with funds from the Public Arts Trust Fund.


How to Apply

Artists who wish to be considered for this project must prepare and submit the following materials online or in hard copy form.  Information on submitting a hard copy can be found at www.tcpublicart.org.  It is recommended that artists submit online through CaFE. 

Required materials include:

1. Letter of interest – one page maximum explaining interest in the project
2. Current resume – detailing past or current commissions and public installations of work (if a team application, include resumes of all members), and including artist name, gallery representation (if any), address, phone, and email.
3. Images – examples of representative work history in the past five years, not exceeding 16 high resolution images, 3 videos, and 1 audio, with emphasis on recent work.
4. Image annotation – artwork title, date, medium, size, location as appropriate, and the commission budget for the work, if applicable.
5. References – list of three professional references with knowledge of the artist’s work and working methods. This list must include complete addresses and phone numbers for the reference.
6. Optional – artists may submit up to three items of support materials (i.e. reviews, articles about their work etc.)


Contact Person
TRAVERSE CITY ARTS COMMISSION
Nathan Elkins, Director
nate@tcpublicart.org
231-944-4114

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria