REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Jamestown Arts Center is seeking sculptures and installations for its inaugural Outdoor Art Experience, 2020. The Outdoor Art Experience (OAE) is planned as a celebration of the Jamestown Arts Center’s 10th Anniversary. In partnership with other venues, the OAE will place 10 works at varied and diverse sites around Jamestown. In keeping with our Anniversary, we are seeking celebratory works suitable for public display in community and family-friendly locations.

In addition to finished pieces, proposed work and site-specific installations will be considered. We encourage entries in the following categories:

• impact/larger scale

• moderate intimate scale

• intentionally functional

• experimental including but not limited to installation/new media/temporal/participatory/environmental

• additionally, we seek proposals for a collaborative work to be created at the Melrose School through an Artist-in-Residence program. Please read separate A-I-R description, at end of this prospectus.

Please review potential artwork host locations. Artists may propose for specific site(s), or be considered for all. Selected works will receive a $1000 honorarium. Additionally, a People’s Choice Award will be given to one artist.

Theme: Celebrate Community through art

The theme of the exhibition is celebratory; community; arts; anniversary. While we are interested in all types of art, artists should consider how their artwork relates to or celebrates the history, environment, culture and/or current community of Jamestown.

Because this project is for and about the community, all artists will be expected to participate in our community-based programming. Possible examples include leading a school field trip, holding an artist’s talk, participating in a panel discussion of public art process, holding a workshop in 3-d art creation for children, hosting a tour of their studio, to name a few. Applicants should consider how they might best support our educational and outreach component.

Selection Criteria

Entries will be evaluated by a selection panel to include community members, artists and Anne Strauss, curator of note in the field of public art. One installation is reserved for selection by JAC staff. Selection criteria shall include, but not be limited to: Artistic excellence; safety; suitability for public display; responsiveness to theme; compatibility with site(s) available; durability; maintenance. The selection panel will recommend works to the OAE committee, who will make final determination after reviewing safety & logistics in consultation with location partner(s). Exhibition may include works by invitation in addition to works by jury selection.

Artist’s Benefits

Selected artists will receive a $1000 honorarium and the opportunity to list the work for sale. Artists will receive 65% of any sales; any sold works must remain on display for the duration of the loan period. Artwork will be on view to the public for four months in highly-visible locales in the town of Jamestown. Artwork will have identifying signage for the course of the exhibition. The Jamestown Art Center will carry liability insurance for the course of the exhibition. The JAC will publicize the exhibition through its website, walking map/exhibit brochure, social media, direct mail to its membership, and local print advertising. The JAC will provide photography of the work as installed. Artists will have the opportunity to give presentations, talks, and interact with the viewing public.

Timeline

September 1, 2019   Applications open through CallForEntry.org

October 31, 2019    Application Deadline

January 15, 2020      Jurying complete, Artists notified

March 1, 2020           Studio visits, installation plans and site assignments complete. Contracts signed.

June 22-28, 2020      Installation period

July 10, 2020             Exhibition Opening in conjunction with 10th Anniversary Summer Soirée at the Jamestown Arts Center.

August 2020, TBD     OAE Community Block Party celebration

October 31, 2020      Last day for works on dsplay

November 1- November 7, 2020 Removal period.

Guidelines & restrictions

Artist is responsible for transportation of work to and from Jamestown, and for installation and removal. Works must be installation -ready by agreed-upon date. Works must be removed in a timely fashion within scheduled dates.

It is recommended that works be 12’ x 8’ x 8’ or smaller, or made of components up to this size that can be assembled into a larger whole, in order to avoid any wide-load issues during transportation.

Works must be suitable for outdoor installation and built in a durable, stable fashion. Works must be capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions including but not limited to wind, rain, high temperatures, freezing.

Artist is responsible for stability of artwork. Artist will detail provisions for stability in application. Provisions and installation plans of selected artworks will be vetted in advance during a studio visit. Some examples are a self-supporting design, a temporary pedestal, welded or bolted to steel plate, etc.

Artwork may be installed in close proximity to the viewing public and must not pose hazards. Artist will specify if work is non-climbable, or intentionally functional. Fragile, dangerous or inappropriate works will not be considered. Artist agrees to affect any repairs during exhibition if such situation arises.

Artist will install on date to be agreed upon with JAC and location partner. JAC will provide installation assistance including equipment as agreed in advance and any necessary hands-on assistance, however artists will oversee and participate in the installation/removal process and should bring tools and hardware as required. JAC staff, contract labor and volunteers shall not be held responsible for loss or damage to the artwork during installation or removal.

On delivery artwork will be reviewed by JAC staff and location partner. If artwork is deemed structurally unsound or misrepresented, acceptance will be revoked. JAC retains final decision and approval of installation.

JAC will carry liability insurance, however artists are encouraged to carry additional insurance for damage or loss of artwork itself.

Artist retains copyright of the artwork, and JAC will credit the artist whenever the artwork is exhibited or published by JAC. (exception, see separate Artist-in-Residence information). JAC may use images of the artist and artwork in promotional or educational materials.

Application

In summary, application requests the artist’s contact information, bio or cv, up to six images or video showing various angles of existing piece or detailed plans/mockup of proposed piece, a short statement regarding the work, and a description of its installation/removal requirements and provisions for stability. Additionally, selected artists are expected to participate in some aspect of community engagement, and should specify in their application the ways in which they will participate. Artists are encouraged to contact the project manager with questions in advance of application. Artists are strongly encouraged to visit possible sites prior to application submission.

Note that in the first round of jurying, all identifying information will be removed from application materials.

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
Request for Proposals, Melrose School Artist-In-Residence

Introduction

The Jamestown Arts Center is seeking an Artist-In-Residence (A.I.R) to create a site specific, temporary installation during a two-week residency in collaboration with the students of the Melrose School in Jamestown, Rhode Island as part of its inaugural Outdoor Arts Experience in 2020.

The Outdoor Arts Experience (OAE) is planned as a celebration of the Jamestown Arts Center’s 10th Anniversary. In partnership with other organizations, the OAE will place at least ten works at varied and diverse sites around Jamestown. In keeping with our Anniversary, we are seeking celebratory works suitable for public display in community and family-friendly locations, including the Melrose School campus (please see the OAE location #15 to view specific location). Artists proposing in the A.I.R category should propose a project to be created in collaboration with Melrose School students and subsequently installed on the school grounds temporarily for the 2020 season.

The selected A.I.R. will receive a $2,500 honorarium, plus a stipend for materials and supplies, TBD. Installation will be facilitated by the JAC and the Schools facilities department. Additionally, the work created by the A.I.R. will be eligible for the OAE’s People’s Choice Award. A-I-R program is contingent on funding.

Theme: Celebrate Community Through Art

The theme of the exhibition is celebratory; community; arts; anniversary. While we are interested in all types of art, artists should consider how their artwork relates to or celebrates the history, environment, culture and/or current community of Jamestown.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Entries for the A-I-R program will be evaluated by a selection panel to include curators, local artists & community members. Selection criteria will include, but not be limited to: Artistic excellence; Educational quality; safety; suitability for public display; responsiveness to theme; compatibility with site available; durability and maintenance. The selection panel will recommend works to the OAE committee, who will make the final determination after reviewing safety & logistics in consultation with the Jamestown School Department and the Melrose School, and viability of completion with the Melrose School art teacher.

Community-based, educational programming is a requirement of all artists selected by the OAE, with the Artist in Residence exemplifying this educational outreach component. Application should provide details on how the proposed project will incorporate the Melrose School students, arts classes and the arts teacher.

ARTIST’S BENEFITS

 A.I.R. will receive a $2,500 honorarium on completion and installation of project. Artwork will be on view to the public for four months and have identifying signage for the course of the exhibition. The Jamestown Arts Center will carry liability insurance for the course of the exhibition. The JAC will publicize the exhibition through its website, walking map/brochure, social media, direct mail to its membership, and local print advertising. The JAC will provide photography of the work as installed. Artists will have the opportunity to give presentations, talks, and interact with the viewing public.

TIMELINE

September 1, 2019   Applications open through CallForEntry.org

October 31, 2019    Application Deadline

January 15, 2020        Notification of Consideration

March 1, 2020           All logistics confirmed with JAC and Jamestown Public Schools. Contract signed.

Flexible, TBD              First week of residency: Artwork inception with students and beginning of fabrication

Flexible, TBD              Second week of residency: Completion of artwork and installation

May 2020            Annual student art show at Melrose School

July 10, 2020             OAE Exhibition Opening in conjunction with 10th Anniversary Summer Soiree at the Jamestown Arts Center

August 2020, TBD     OAE Community Block Party celebration

October 31, 2020      Last day of work on display

November  2020       Removal period

GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTIONS

Once selected, artist will coordinate proposal with the Melrose School arts teacher to create a classroom schedule for the residency. Selected artists will work primarily within the arts classroom at the Melrose School but may have use of the space at the Jamestown Arts Center if needed.

A current, national BCI background check must be provided by the artist. 

Artist will coordinate  installation and removal of artwork with Jamestown Public Schools facilities staff. Work must be removed in a timely fashion within scheduled dates.

Works must be suitable for outdoor installation and built in a durable, stable fashion. Works must be capable of withstanding adverse weather conditions including but not limited to high winds, rain, high temperatures, freezing.

Artist is responsible for stability of artwork. Artist will detail provisions for stability in application. Provisions and installation plans of selected artworks will be vetted in advance.

Artwork will be installed in close proximity to school activities and viewing public and must not pose hazards. Artist will specify if work is non-climbable, or intentionally functional. Fragile, dangerous or inappropriate work will not be considered. Artist agrees to affect any repairs in a timely fashion during exhibition if such situation arises.

Artist will complete project and install on a date to be agreed upon with JAC. JAC and Schools Department will provide installation assistance including equipment as agreed upon in advance and hands-on assistance, however artists will oversee, participate in, and insure completion of the installation/removal process and should bring tools and appropriate hardware as required. JAC staff, contract labor and volunteers shall not be held responsible for loss or damage to the artwork during installation or removal.

Upon completion the artwork will be reviewed by JAC staff and the Jamestown School Department. If work is deemed structurally unsound or misrepresented, acceptance may be revoked. JAC retains final decision and approval of installation.

Artist will share copyright of the artwork with the Jamestown Public Schools and the artist will be credited whenever the artwork is exhibited or published. JAC  and Jamestown Public Schools may use images of the artist and artwork in promotional or educational materials.

If  selected artist lives further than 50 miles from Jamestown, the JAC may be able to arrange temporary housing for the residency period; however artist is responsible for all meals and transportation expenses.

Artists are strongly encouraged to visit Melrose School site(s) prior to application submission. 

Please address all questions to Molly Dickinson, project manager. Molly@jamestownartcenter.org, 401-560-0979.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria