SUMMARY OF THE OPPORTUNITY

Chicago Public Art Group (CPAG) in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) invites professional artists and artist teams to submit their qualifications to design a community-engaged outdoor mural to be installed on the exterior wall (about 20 feet high and 38 feet wide) near the entrance of the library.

The Little Village Branch Library opened October 3, 2011. Before the library, the space housed an auto shop then a resale shop, and was a permission wall site for graffiti art. The Little Village community members are very engaged and were involved in the new library’s development.  Artists and artist teams must have a connection to this community, understand the neighborhoods the library serves, and research the library’s history.

This opportunity is open to all interested professional artists and artist teams that have experience in creating a community engaged mural. There is no residency requirement. Following the RFQ deadline, CPAG will convene an advisory panel of library staff, DCASE staff, and two community members to review the applications. The advisory panel will select 3 finalists, who will be commissioned to create a mural design. Finalists will take part in two community design info workshops in the beginning of March to gather ideas, themes and design ideas from community members. The three finalists will present their designs to the advisory panel who will choose the artist or artist team for the project. CPAG will work with the chosen artist or artist team to organize additional community workshops or interviews with key neighborhood stakeholders to finalize the design concept. The advisory panel will give final approval of the completed design before fabrication starts. CPAG will manage the project, contracting with the artist or artist team, providing workman’s compensation insurance, paying the artists or artist team in four installments, ordering materials, organizing community workshops, ordering/renting installation materials or equipment, being the liaison between the library, DCASE, community members and the artist or artist team, and other administrative needs.

Successful proposals will provide details on how the artist or artist team connects with this community, their approach to community engagement, how they will research the library and neighborhood’s history, and describe past experiences working with this community.

THE SITE
2311 S. Kedzie Avenue at 23rd Street

THE BUILDING
The Little Village Branch Library Little Village Branch opened October 3, 2011.
The U.S. Green Building Council granted the building a gold certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

DIMENSIONS
Height: About 20 feet and Width: About 38 feet

LIBRARY AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT
FROM THE LIBRARY'S 2018 ANNUAL REPORT
Community Demographics (2010 Census data):

Population Total: 79, 288
Density: 18,000/sq mi (6,900/km2)
Demographics (2010) White: 3.85%
Back: 13.08%
Hispanic: 82.56%
Asian: .14%
Other: .36%

Zip codes: parts of 60608 and 60623
Median household income: $33,593

Library History:

"In 1930, South Lawndale’s Population, numbering about 75,000, was essentially all White. But by the 1980 Census the non-Hispanic White population was about 35,000 and the Hispanic population stood at 55,000. This trend of decreasing White and increasing ethnic population happened in the decades between 1950 and 1970. The population decreased from the 2000 census to the 2010 census with 91,071 in 2010 and 79,288 in 2010, a decrease of almost 20,000 people.

Most of the residents of Little Village are of Latino heritage and many only speak Spanish. In the past, most of the families emigrated from Mexico, but we now see more families from Puerto Rico and Central America.

During 2018 we observed a slight change in the community. It seems more diverse, we have more African American and Caucasians families. We also noticed new housing developments in the area, which means more families will own their houses and stay in the neighborhood. Since the Little Village branch opened, we have seen different families using the library. This is a starting point for many immigrants coming from Mexico and South America, most of them rent an apartment or house. When they are able to buy their own property, they end up moving and new families move in."

Library Service Highlights:

Adult programming includes computer classes, craft clubs, ESL book club and Senior nights.

Children and Young Adult Programming includes storytimes, family DIY, game nights, participatory arts and crafts, and STEM/STEAM programs.

Collection Highlights:
Refining the Adult non-fiction collection and growing and enhancing the Spanish language collection.

SCHEDULE*
*All dates are approximate.

• CAFE (Call For Entry) RFQ   01/15/20 - 02/05/20  (3 weeks)
• RFQ Info Session     Week of 01/27/20
• Review of Qualifications   02/05/20 - 02/19/20  (2 weeks)
• Advisory Panel selects 3 Finalist   Week of 02/24/20
• Notification of Finalists  Week of 03/02/20
• Community Design Forums Week of 03/02/20 and Week of 03/09/20
• Finalists Design Development 03/02/20 - 03/27/20 (4 weeks)
• Finalists Presentation to Advisory Panel Week 03/30/20

Total project budget: $49,626

The three finalists will be paid a $1,000/each honorarium to develop mural designs. 

The artwork commission will be $49,626, inclusive of all costs and fees for the artist to execute the mural from design, community engagement, fabrication, site preparation, and installation.  

SELECTION CRITERIA
Applicants will be shortlisted based on a competitive review of the following:
- Artistic excellence: demonstrated skill and quality craftsmanship in examples of past work; strength and originality of concept conveyed in the letter of interest.
- Meaningful relationship of the artwork with the site of Little Village Branch Library and/or the surrounding neighborhood and service area of the library.

Interested applicants should register with CaFÉ in order to view the application. Deadline for submissions is 2/5/20 11:59pm, CST.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria