Public Art Project Budget:  $250,000

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: April 22, 2019

REQUEST FOR ARTISTS OR ARTIST TEAM QUALIFICATIONS

The Public Art Program of the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs requests the submission of qualifications from artists or artist teams to design, fabricate and install a work of public art at the Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther Drive, Dallas, Texas. 

Built in 1930, on what were then the rural shores of White Rock Lake, the “Old Bath House” was one of the first uses of Art Deco architecture in the southwest. The building provided lockers, changing rooms, rentable swimsuits and concessions for the thousands of people that drove from all over North Texas to swim in the lake.

The Bath House remained a social and recreational hot spot for over two decades but was forced to close in 1953 when swimming in White Rock Lake was discontinued. The majestic building sat vacant until 1978 when, urged and supported by a dedicated group of neighborhood arts activists, the City of Dallas announced plans to restore the building. In August of 1981, the citizens of East Dallas celebrated the birth of the City’s first neighborhood cultural center.

Today, instead of lockers and showers, the Bath House Cultural Center has a 116-seat theater, two gallery spaces, the White Rock Lake Museum, and a number of multipurpose spaces. Diversity flourishes as visual and performing artists from an array of backgrounds find a welcoming venue for their work. The center’s energetic atmosphere and programming creates a hotbed for the nurturing of new work and an exciting place where artists and audiences meet to explore and enjoy the life force that is the arts.

SCOPE OF PUBLIC ART PROJECT

The project will be divided into three (3) phases:

Phase 1: Research

•       Artist will be required to participate in site visits, community meetings and conduct independent research

Phase 2: Project Concept Development

•       Artist will collaborate with public art staff to review, discuss and develop ideas for concept

Phase 3: Project Design Plan

•       Artist will develop and submit a public art design plan which will include: site plan, concept/theme, potential materials and any special considerations to the site and draft budget not to exceed $250,000.

The scope of the project:

• Artist designed art usage space that will
  • balance Linnea Glatt’s A Place to Perform, an existing artwork and performance space
  • be accessible to diverse and varied activities -  from yoga to painting
• May include cover or elements to provide shade
• Artwork may provide seating
• Artwork should complement the Bath House’s Art Deco architecture
• Artwork must require little or no maintenance,
• Be free of safety hazards

SITE INFORMATION

There are no height restrictions at this location. There are picnic tables and garbage cans that can be relocated.

SELECTION PROCESS

The Artist Selection panel will review qualified submissions in late Spring 2019. A short list of up to three artists or artist teams will be identified and contracted to develop a site-specific concept design for artwork.  Each artist selected will receive a stipend of $3,000 to cover the costs of producing a site-specific public art concept proposal for the site.

The short-listed artists will prepare a concept design proposal comprised of drawings, digital renderings or, where applicable, a maquette, for a site-specific work at the designated location that will be responsive to the scope of the project.

The stipend must cover all costs of site visits, meetings with community members, site research, production of a site-specific public art concept, and shipping of the maquette (where applicable) and travel to make a presentation of the proposal to the selection panel.

ELIGIBILITY

All professional artists are eligible to apply, with the following exceptions:

·         Artists currently under contract with the City of Dallas Public Art Program,

·         Employees of the City of Dallas and their spouses,

·         Members of the Public Art Committee, or

·         Any consultants under contract for any phase of the projects. 

·         Undergraduate students

Local artists are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria