GLOW Nights takes place in Jackson Hole, Wyoming at the base of the world-famous Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and in historic downtown Jackson. GLOW Nights installations will be on display from December 2019 through January 2020.

GLOW is an exhibit of artworks inspired by the unique phenomena of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Artworks inspired by the megafauna, calderas, hot springs and dramatic vistas of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) will spark our sense of wonder and invite us to explore these phenomena through the eyes of artists. Outlandish and far-fetched ideas are encouraged, as these will shine the brightest in people’s memories of this winter wonderland.

 GLOW artists will employ light as a medium to attract people out into public spaces at night. To ensure a high level of quality, and function at extreme temperatures, Hughes Productions, our local, full-service, event production company will support artists by providing technical consultation time and equipment to support the lighting elements. JH Public Art will consider artworks that have been previously displayed as long as they meet the stated project goals.

Installations will be celebrated with two free, family-friendly, celebrations, one in town and one in Teton Village and supported with print and social media marketing. JH Public Art will collaborate with community groups to design activities that add relevance and meaning to the artworks, provide experiences that connect us as a community, and promote the wonder of exploring the world around us.

 About the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE)

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) is a rare and extraordinary place full of wonder. The GYE is one of the last remaining large, nearly intact ecosystems in the northern temperate zone of the Earth. The GYE is located in the Rocky Mountains and encompasses approximately 18 million acres of land from 3 states: northwestern Wyoming, southwestern Montana, and eastern Idaho. The GYE includes two national parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton, national forest, and other public lands.

 Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park, was established in 1872 in part to protect geothermal features that contain about half the world’s active geysers and that also include mud pots, fumaroles, and hot springs. Powering these geothermal features is a giant caldera 1,500 square miles in area that lies below Yellowstone. Yellowstone Park is the headwaters to 3 rivers: the Snake, Yellowstone and the Green. Most of the park is above 7,500 feet (2,286 m) in elevation and the terrain is covered with snow for much of the year. The GYE includes forests of lodgepole pine, alpine meadows, sagebrush, and grasslands all of which provide essential habitat for the wildlife. Yellowstone is a refuge for wildlife and people travel from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the grizzly bears, wolves, bison, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, native trout species, trumpeter swans and microorganisms yet to be fully discovered in the geothermal features.

 Grand Teton National Park is located in northwestern Wyoming. The Teton Range rises more than 7,000 dramatic feet above the valley of Jackson Hole, and the granite mountains dominate the park's skyline. The valley floor begins at 6,320 feet and ranges to the 13,770-foot tall peak of the Grand Teton. Pine and aspen forests carpet the mountainsides and during the summer, wildflowers pepper the meadows. Sparkling clear, high alpine lakes fill glacial cirques, and robust streams cascade down rocky canyons to fill larger lakes at the foot of the mountains. Running north to south, the wild and scenic Snake River winds through the valley.

Winters in the Teton are long and cold and snow often blankets the landscape from early November to May. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Grand Teton National Park was -63°F. Summer often comes late to the Tetons, in fact, old-timers used to joke that we have two seasons, winter and the 4th of July.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem was home to many Indian populations for thousands of years before Yellowstone was made a National Park. To learn about the historic use of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park by Indian cultures please visit the Yellowstone National Park Service website at https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/historyculture/historic-tribes.htm

About Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole is located approximately 60 miles south of Yellowstone National Park and 12 miles south of Grand Teton National Park. Our airport, the states busiest, serves over 300,000 people annually, and national park visitation results in 5 million annual visitors, while the world-famous Jackson Hole Mountain Resort boasted over 700,000 skier days last winter.

The Tetons attract climbers from all over the world and many miles of hiking; mountain biking and horseback riding trails are located throughout the valley and complimented by 33 miles of pathways. The wild and scenic Snake River offers white water rafting, kayaking, and fishing. Winter visitors come to ski at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Targhee Resort, or Snow King Resort.

The population of the Town of Jackson and Teton County is over 20,000 with 74% percent under the age of 44. We have a strong western heritage rooted in ranching and a growing Hispanic community that comprises 12.2 percent of the population and the median household income is $72,696. Ninety-seven percent of the land in the county is owned by the Federal government leaving very little left for private development.  The population is well educated, with 94.7 percent of residents having a high school diploma and 45.8 percent have a bachelor's degree or higher. Jackson is a small town with over 200 non-profits who support a strong conservation ethic, vibrant arts and foodie culture, education and social services.

About Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) is a year-round resort in Teton Village, Wyoming, located 12 miles northwest of Jackson and due south of Grand Teton National Park. The Jackson Hole Ski Corporation was formed in 1963 and construction of the ski resort began a year later, opening to the public in 1964 with two double chairlifts. Home to many of the world's best freeskiers and boarders, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is known for its steep, challenging and vast terrain, with the highest vertical rise and contiguous feet of skiing in North America. The terrain has not only attracted the top skiers in the world but is also home to one of the most well known expert ski runs in the world, Corbet's Couloir. In the summer, the resort offers numerous activities such as mountain biking, hiking, climbing, and paragliding. Teton Village is just south of Grand Teton National Park. Moose, black bear, porcupine, marmot, picas, and other local creatures can be seen traversing the slopes of JH Mountain Resort.

Project description

JH Public Art seeks proposals for 3-dimensional, light-based artworks inspired by the unique phenomena, flora, and fauna of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for display in Jackson Wyoming from December 2019 - through January 2020. We welcome installations that are conceptual, educational, or representational. Artwork should be interesting and engaging during the day, but it’s all about light and illumination at night.

Hughes Production, our local, full-service event production company, will provide significant technical lighting support, including 4 hours of consultation, and they will purchase and install up to $1,500 of lighting equipment per installation. All projects must be installed in a safe manner, and abide by local laws and all electrical wiring must meet electrical safety standards, to be assessed and evaluated in consultation with JH Public Art and project stakeholders. JH Public Art will consider existing artworks that have been previously displayed if they meet the criteria listed herein.

Artists are responsible for the installation and removal of artwork before and after the exhibition. If you cannot be present, you must ship your work with detailed installation requirements and any unpacking/packing directions.

Because the artworks are temporary, including some made from snow and ice, we can not provide insurance. We will ensure your work is presented in a professional manner and maintained for the duration of its display. Under the artist’s direction, we will conduct basic maintenance as needed and if artwork becomes damaged beyond reasonable repair we will promptly remove it.

 Participating artists may be asked to provide minimal consulting on activities for inter-disciplinary events that will be hosted during the duration of the exhibit.

Art Goals/ Criteria

GLOW artworks should be inspired by the unique phenomena, flora, and fauna of the GYE, evoke a sense of wonder, spark amazement, curiosity, and exploration as well as communicating or focusing on unique facts about the GYE. Outlandish and far-fetched ideas are encouraged, as these will shine the brightest in people’s memories of this winter wonderland, however, safety and maintenance are strongly considered.

Budget

 A selection panel of local stakeholders, art curators, and JH Public Art staff will be reviewed proposals. Invited artists will receive a $500 stipend to further develop their proposal into a final design. If the final design is selected for production then artists will be paid $2,500 for fabrication and installation. Hughes Production, our local, full-service event production company, will provide significant technical support, including 4 hours of consultation, and they will purchase and install up to $1,500 of lighting equipment per installation. All projects must be installed in a safe manner and abide by local laws and all electrical wiring must meet electrical safety standards, to be assessed and evaluated in consultation with JH Public Art and project stakeholders.

Eligibility

Participation in GLOW Nights is based on the artists’ prior experience working on projects of similar scale, complexity, and budget; technical knowledge required to design an artwork that glows, feasibility of the concept; ability to meet the timelines defined herein; demonstrated understanding of materials that can withstand a month outside in cold temperatures; and examples of excellence in past work samples. Due to the complexity of installing artworks in extreme winter conditions, artists familiar with such conditions will be given preference. Regional artists who are available to install their works may also be given preference.

Media, Style, Size

Recognizing the extreme fluctuations of weather in Jackson Hole, including wind gusts of up to 65 mph, temperature fluctuation from 20 below zero to 50 degrees above zero, and large accumulations of 6 feet or more of snow, the artwork must be made of durable media that can be easily maintained for the duration of the exhibit (one month). Artworks should be vibrant even if it snows 4 feet and may need to come with a simple base. The vistas are big in Jackson Hole and your artwork should be site-specific and properly scaled to fit within its surroundings. It is important to note, that installations will not be regularly supervised and should be designed to withstand the average curious merry-maker or unattended youngster. Artwork should be structurally sound and offer interactive opportunities for passersby, from a place to pose for selfies, to installations that invite touching, sitting, or other interactions.

Location Descriptions

JH Public Art will identify which artworks are best suited for the locations available. Glow Nights locations include Teton Village Commons and downtown Jackson. Some sites are pending at the time of the release of this RFP. Specific locations may have varying requirements, which will be communicated to the artist once they are selected. Artists may indicate their preference for Teton Village or downtown Jackson as part of this submission, but JHPA and stakeholders will decide where artworks are placed.

Selection Process

JHPA will facilitate a selection panel that includes representatives from the Teton Village Association, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, JH Public Art, and local art curators. The review panel may also include local stakeholders, residents, business owners, and professionals with technical experience like landscape architects, and electrical engineers. Artists may be asked to modify their design once as part of the $500 design fee, any further modification will be compensated at $25/hr.

Artist Selection Criteria/ Final Concept Selection Criteria

• Artists will be invited to submit proposals based on prior experience working on projects of similar scale, complexity, and budget; technical knowledge required to design an artwork that glows, ability to meet the timelines defined herein; and examples of excellence in past work samples.
• Concepts will be reviewed based on artistic merit, originality, feasibility, durability, ease of maintenance, and creativity.
• Artworks should be conceptually inspired by or provide educational content about the unique phenomena, flora, fauna, and science of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
• Artwork that requires little to no maintenance for the duration of the exhibit.
• Artistic style that is complementary to the design intent of GLOW.

Disclosures

Jackson Hole Public Art (JHPA) reserves the right to invite only artists who have the qualifications and experience level outlined. JHPA reserves the right to re-issue this RFP, alter the review panel, or recommend non-funding should we deem these actions necessary.

The selected artist or artist team will enter into a contract with JHPA. The contract will require that the selected artist carry Commercial General Liability Insurance and an All-Risk Construction Insurance Policy naming Jackson Hole Public Art and JHMR, TVA, and any host sites as an additional insured during the project. The artist must comply with Wyoming law with respect to workers compensation insurance. Selected artists will be responsible for providing construction drawings detailing all important features of the fabrication and installation method for engineering and structural review of the artwork if necessary. JHPA and the project stakeholders will determine the exact locations of the artworks and artists will be informed of their location as soon as possible. Hughes Productions will own the electrical components of the artwork. Jackson Hole Public Art, TVA, and JHMR are equal opportunity employers.

RFP SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Jackson Hole Public Art will use the Western States Arts Federation CAFÉ site to manage this opportunity. There is no cost to register your profile on CAFÉ and you can update it at any time. To register, visit www.callforentry.org.  CAFÉ provides artists with an easy-to-use system to create a profile with contact information, to upload digital images of their artwork, and to apply to a number of open calls for entry at one time.

JH Public Art will charge a $5 administration fee to submit.

Please label your attachments with your name, not the name of the project.

For example: Smith.Tom_Reference1.pdf

Letter of Interest: The letter should articulate the artist’s interest in this project in particular and how they will address the goals of this project. Please limit the letter to 300 words or less. 

Resume: A two-page (maximum) current, professional resume. Artist teams should submit resumes for each team member compiled into one document.

References: Please submit up to 3 current references. Check your contact’s information to make sure it is up to date. Please make sure you include the reference name, phone, alternate phone, email, title and one-sentence describing your professional association.

Images of Work: Please provide 6 to 10 images of previously created art that specifically relates to this opportunity.

Image: JPEG or JPG, under 5MB with a minimum of 1200 pixels on the longest side.

Video: 3GP, WMV, AVI, MOV, ASF, MPG, MP4, M2T, MKV, M2TS, under 100MB with a minimum resolution of 640 x 480; minimum 12 fps.

Please note: only the first 250 applicants will be accepted through the CAFE website. If you are starting an application close to the submission deadline, we suggest you contact JH Public Art before you proceed to determine if the opportunity has reached capacity. We may elect to increase the posted number of submissions we accept.

Project Timeline 2019/2020

RFP Released August 2019

Submittals Due: September 6, 2019

Artists selected: mid-September 2019

Concepts revised or finalized: end of September 2019

Progress checks: October 20- November 10, 2019

Final approval: December 1-5, 2019

Shipping: December 10-15, 2019

Installation: December 19, 2019

De-installation: February 1, 2020

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria