Call Detail
City of Little Rock, Arkansas Sculpture Commission Opportunity
Entry Deadline: 3/12/21
Application Closed
Number of Applications Allowed: 3
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum:Min. 6, Maximum:Max. 6
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 6, Maximum:Max. 6
Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: National
State: Arkansas

Public Art Installation - 2022

Commission Budget:  up to $60,000

Media: Mixed Media, 3-D, Free Standing, Appropriate for Outdoor Space

Sculpture at the River Market (“Company”) announces a public art commission. 

The site is a unique, exciting and prominent location. It is located at the junction of two of Little Rock’s major streets, Kavanaugh Boulevard and Crestwood Drive. The junction of Kavanaugh and Crestwood is at acute angles and creates a triangular site. The back of the triangle has a rock convex wall that is 5 feet tall and has a sidewalk on the Crestwood side that bisects the wall. The sidewalk is 5 feet from Crestwood at the base of the wall and the width of the sidewalk 3.5 feet. The width of the triangle measured at the base of the wall is 19 feet and the triangle is 20 feet from the wall to the rounded tip where the two streets diverge. As you approach the site from the south, Kavanaugh and Crestwood both go up a hill, however the site itself is level. There is a holly tree immediately behind the wall that may or may not be retained. 30 feet behind the wall is a group of crêpe myrtles that will be retained, but the bushes in front of the wall will be removed. The sculpture will be placed in front of the wall facing the point (tip) of the triangle.                     

Because of the curve in the roads and the hill behind the sculpture, the maximum visibility will be as you approach from the south going north (up the hill). The base should be of a size to maximize the visibility of the sculpture. The street sign in the site will be removed.  

Your responsibility will be to create the sculpture and be available for a sculpture committee interview via Zoom if you are one of the finalists. There is a small chance we would request the finalists be present in Little Rock if we have formal outdoor event.  Of course, this all depends on the COVID 19 situation.    

 If you have questions, please contact Dean Kumpuris at 501-607-2253.
    

 Learn more about the site and the commission here.

Sculpture at the River Market (“Company”) announces a public art commission. This project will be placed in the Heights/Hillcrest neighborhood in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Funds for the project have been raised and escrowed for this purpose. 

Public Art Component

Artists interested are asked to propose a visually interesting, safe, three-dimensional public art piece as a newly designed or existing sculpture. Sculpture at the River Market (“Company”) with the City’s approval has determined the exact placement of the art piece. See site photograph and description. 

The piece should be three-dimensional, durable, easily maintained and free standing. Artists must address engineering, construction, installation, and maintenance standards as well. The winning Artist will be required to submit a stamped structural engineer's drawing of the sculpture itself, the sculpture's footing and base including the attachment of the sculpture. The structural engineer must hold an Arkansas license; many structural engineers hold multi-state licenses. This shall be submitted before the payment of the second installment. The art piece must be fabricated with bolting or attachment to a concrete surface or a suitably designed footing. The winning artist shall be responsible for the design of the required footings (engineering) for the sculpture and give the plans to the Sculpture at the River Market, (“Company”); the City of Little Rock will prepare the site for installation, and the artist will assist the City with the installation.  

Selection Process

After proposals are received by the March 12, 2021 deadline, “Company” will select three proposals as semifinalists.  On March 23, 2021, a notification will be sent to all artists who submitted a proposal announcing the 3 finalists.  

Your responsibility will be to create the sculpture and be available for a sculpture committee interview via Zoom if you are one of the finalists. There is a small chance we would request the finalists be present in Little Rock if we have a formal outdoor event.  Of course, this all depends on the COVID 19 situation.     
 

ELIGIBILITY

Open to all fine art sculptors who are residents of and/or working in the United States. The sculpture should be created primarily as an aesthetic expression, no craft. Work must be produced by the sculptor or under their personal supervision. Work should be made by hand or with appropriate tools and casting techniques. 


EVENT CALENDAR
 

Friday, March 12                                 Proposals Due

Tuesday, March 23                             Notify three (3) finalists 

Thursday, March 25                           Deadline to accept invitation


Saturday, April 24                               Finalists will be available by zoom to present their proposals or attend a formal outdoor event in Little Rock, Arkansas if COVID allows. 

April 2022                                              Installation

Budget/Financial

The project budget is up to $60,000. The budget must include all costs related to the design, engineering, materials, fabrication, travel expenses (artists shall be present for installation) required insurance and shipping and installation of the artwork, excluding the cost of a crane if needed. “Company’s” committee will review all budgets with a keen eye for value. If deemed necessary by the “Company”, a committee representative will call Artist to better understand the submitted expenses. The “Company” retains the right to reject any submission for any reason in its sole and absolute discretion.

The commission payment schedule will be as follows: 

Installment 1:  One half of the project budget (50%) will be presented to the Artist when the Artist and Company sign the contract.

Installment 2: The second installment is 25% of the budget. Prior to this installment being paid to the Artist, the Artist shall submit a stamped structural engineer's drawing on the sculpture itself, the sculpture's footing and base including the attachment of the sculpture to them. Once the Artist has provided this documentation, the installment will be made when the piece goes to the Foundry or Fabricator for completion. Artist must present a current photograph of the piece to “Company” for review.

Installment 3: The final installment is 25% of the budget, which will be presented to the Artist upon installation of the piece; such installation must be completed on or before the deadline of April 1, 2022.

 Materials to be submitted by Artist

IMAGES:
The Artist is asked to submit 6 images.  They are to be divided as below:
    3 images of the proposed sculpture (These photograhs must be marked with sculpture name)
    3 images of the artist's recent works (These photographs must be marked as recent works)

An Artist’s submission may be eliminated from the voting process if the application is incomplete.

Selection Scoring:

 a) The overall strength of the design concept – 55%

• Appropriateness of the artwork to site in terms of scale, form, content, and materials.

•  The ability of Artist to complete artwork based on past experience.

•  Feasibility and ease of installation.

b) The durability of the design – 30%

•  Dependability of artwork relative to theft, vandalism, and the environment.

•  Ease of maintenance and safety.

 c) Clarity and completeness of proposal – 15%

•  Illustrations/designs should be at least 80% complete and include actual media, colors & dimensions of the proposed artwork.

Publicity 

All publicity for sculpture and installation will be led and coordinated by the “Company” in conjunction with the City of Little Rock and Artist. 

 Disclaimer

The “Company” reserves the right to terminate this project at any time, without notice.  Selection as a finalist does not constitute a contract between the selected Artist and the “Company” and is not a guarantee or a right to enter into a contract. Artists not complying with these contest rules may be subject to disqualification, without notice. 

Please direct any questions to: Dena Daniel   sculptureattherivermarket@gmail.com
931-220-0912

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria