Call Detail
City of Mountain View 2020 Public Art Pyramid Park
Visit Organization Website
Contact Email: VAC@mountainview.gov

Entry Deadline: 1/20/20
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum:Min. 5, Maximum:Max. 10
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 5, Maximum:Max. 10
Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: Regional
State: California

CALL FOR ARTISTS APPLICATION

DEADLINE:  January 20, 2020 by 11:00 p.m. (PST)

Submit online via CaFÉ at www.callforentry.org

The City of Mountain View Visual Arts Committee (VAC) seeks to commission an artist, or an artist team, to create the design and commission for public artwork for Pyramid Park, a planned neighborhood park at the corner of Pyramid Way and Infinity Way.  Artists must provide a resumé, examples, and a final design proposal as part of their application.

All associated costs to visit Pyramid Park and/or Mountain View, prepare and submit a proposal, or to attend the VAC meeting shall be borne by the artist.  Applicants should only submit applications directly through the callforentry.org website; no other form of application will be accepted.

The City intends to bid the construction of the new park in summer 2020 and complete construction in early 2021.  The expectation is for the art to be installed by the artist during the construction phase of the park (spring 2021).

APPLICATION

Applications will be accepted from:

12:00 noon (PST), Thursday, November 21, 2019

through

11:00 p.m. (PST), Monday, January 20, 2020

APPLY EARLY

Applications will not be accepted after 11:00 p.m., Monday, January 20, 2020, and only the first 120 applications will be accepted (whichever comes first).

ELIGIBILITY

The call is open to all professional artists/artist teams over the age of 18 residing in the state of California.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

All applications must be submitted online via CaFÉ at www.callforentry.org, an online application system for calls for entry.  There is no charge for artists to apply or use CaFÉ.  Applications that are mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered will not be considered, as this is an online system.

All applications should include the following:

•       Artist Resumé

•       Five (5) to ten (10) images of current artworks completed within the past two years.  All artwork images must be examples demonstrating the artist is capable of creating and commissioning durable artwork adequate for the outdoor elements (i.e., sun, rain) and a public setting.

•       Annotated Images:  Provide images of current artwork with annotated descriptions.  Please include:  art title, date the art was created, dimensions, type of media, and location of the installation (address, city, state).

•       Proposal:  Please include a final proposal.  The proposal should include the artwork design, artwork medium type, and estimated time to commission the artwork.

•       Artwork Fee:  Provide the total fee for the artwork, including design, fabrication, transportation, loading and unloading costs, structural engineering design, calculations, and installation. 

•       Building Permit Fee:  Depending on the artwork type, a building permit may be required.  The artist is responsible for obtaining the building permit.  The permit fee will be paid by the City.

•       Structural Engineering Design:  Depending on the artwork type, a structural engineer may be required to provide plans and calculations for the building permit.   The artist is responsible for obtaining services of a licensed structural engineer.  Cost for services of a structural engineer shall be borne by the artist and included in the cost of the proposed art.

•       Signed Application Checklist (link)

All applicants should allow adequate time to submit their applications.  To get additional assistance using CaFÉ, please contact WESTAF by calling 303-629-1166 or via e-mail at cafe@westaf.org.

SELECTION

The selection process will begin in January 2020 through the VAC.  The VAC will review and jury all proposals.  Once the VAC selects the finalist(s), the Mountain View City Council will give the final approval of the budget.  Finalist(s) will be contacted regarding next steps, including an agreement with the City of Mountain View (see Sample Agreement).  Finalist(s) will also be required to obtain a business license and insurance (requirements are noted in the Sample Agreement).  Selected artwork is to be installed in spring 2021.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Background

The City of Mountain View is a community of approximately 78,000 people located on the San Francisco Peninsula.  Over the years, the City has instituted an arts program and built a collection of art using a public/private partnership, community involvement, and some public funds.  A major component of this program is a City policy known as the “1 Percent for Art Program,” which requires that 1 percent of all major City capital improvement projects over $1 million be spent on public art related to the project.  This program is administered by the VAC, a seven-person, Council-appointed advisory body that will recommend two to three alternatives to the City Council, whose decision is final.  More information on the public art program is available on the City’s website at https://www.mountainview.gov/publicart.

The VAC encourages functional art that incorporates the park’s infrastructure or amenities.  Some examples include artistic benches, bike racks, fake trees, or shade structures.  Artists are encouraged to use existing park infrastructure and incorporate artistic features (e.g., color, texture, or sculptural pieces that can be molded onto a concrete sidewalk).  Park benches, bike racks, and other functional art should be accessible and must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Bike racks should be set in poured cement and not bolted to the ground.

Project Budget

The VAC is requesting proposals where the artwork, including all costs associated with production, installation, and permitting, totals $10,000, $15,000, or $30,000.

The VAC is open to selecting multiple art installations and/or multiple artists.  For example, the VAC may select two art installations from one artist and one art installation from another artist.

Project Site

The proposed 2.76-acre park site located on Pyramid Way at Infinity Way was dedicated to the City for park use by the developers of the 100 and 420 to 430 Ferguson Drive projects.  On October 29, 2019, the City Council approved a conceptual design for the park.  See Site Details:  Pyramid Park Approved Concept—Art Opportunities. 

The following is a summary of the amenities featured in the approved concept for Pyramid Park to move forward as the staff-recommended concept:

•          Small dog and large dog area with shade and water fountain;

•          Open turf area;

•          Exercise equipment;

•          Full-size basketball court;

•          Restroom building (two unisex restrooms);

•          Benches throughout the site;

•          Trees;

•          Picnic tables and barbecue grills;

•          2- to 5-year-old play area; and

•          5- to 12-year-old play area.

Several art opportunities exist on the site.  The Site Details show the approved concept for Pyramid Park and suggested areas where art can be located.  Council has requested integration of art pieces with park elements, such as a park bench or bicycle rack, instead of stand-alone art pieces.  The dog areas, corner entry, basketball court, and the park name (Pyramid Park) could provide inspiration for artists.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria