The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation (www.dsmplublicartfoundation.org), is partnering with the 6th Avenue Corridor, Inc. (6AC) and the City of Des Moines, to invite qualified artists, artisans and/or designers from any locale to develop creative proposals for the functional integration of artwork into the 6TH AVENUE BRIDGE. BACKGROUND OF PARTNERS: The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation (GDMPAF) is a private, nonprofit organization responsible for advancing and administering the affairs and activities of the community’s pubic art program and serves as an advisory body to the Des Moines City Council. It believes that identity, distinctiveness, and meaning can be added to a specific site by integrating works of art and the creative thinking of artists into the design. 6AC is an ambitious nonprofit organization whose mission is to coordinate the commercial revitalization of 6th Avenue through the City of Des Moines, Iowa’s historic River Bend and Cheatom Park neighborhoods. Bookended by downtown on the south and Birdland Park to the north, 6th Avenue is the historic center of North Des Moines and the Northern Gateway to the City’s central business district. Des Moines (www.dmgov.org) is the capital and the most populous city in Iowa. It was incorporated in 1851. The metropolitan area is ranked 88th in terms of population in the United States with 569,633 residents according to the 2010 count by the United States Census Bureau. Des Moines is a major center for the insurance industry and also has a sizable financial services and publishing business base. Forbes magazine ranked Des Moines as the "Best Place for Business" in 2010. In 2011, American Planning Association named Grey’s Lake Park in Des Moines as One of America’s “Great Public Spaces.” In November 2011, the City of Des Moines was listed as the #1 Greenest City by Self Magazine. PROJECT: The 6TH AVENUE BRIDGE embodies the commitment to pedestrian traffic and exhibits concern for the environment through its efficient design. The project has much potential to enrich both the driving experience and walking experience, as well as mark the corridor for the public and larger metropolitan community. An inventive, pedestrian-scale design could incorporate creative elements into the bridge facility. Areas of interest include: entrance, gateway, handrail, and lighting. Scheduled for rehabilitation beginning the summer of 2012, the 6TH AVENUE BRIDGE was built in 1966. The 6TH AVENUE BRIDGE, includes two approaches, over the Des Moines River between Hickman Road and Birdland Drive. The bridge connects [GPS: 41.613814,-93.625284] the City’s Birdland Park and North High School to historic urban neighborhoods. EXPECTATIONS: Artistic merit as evidenced by images. Professional qualifications, such as artistic achievement and professional recognition, as expressed in a resume or curriculum vitae. Demonstrated ability to complete successfully public art projects of similar scale, scope, and budget. Ability to work on a design team with other professionals and structural engineers, as required. Past experience in construction projects that have state Department of Transportation oversight and involve federal funding is preferred. Any functional integration of artwork will be required to meet design specifications or standards for bridges set by AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Office) and Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). The artwork, after review and approval, will be merged into an existing contact, as a change order. The change order process will be handled through the DOT. The artist’s immediate availability will be an important factor. The selected artist or artist team will work with the GDMPAF and may be expected to present the artwork to the community. The artist must meet with the project panel organized by the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation for review, comment, and approval of the design before entering into production of the artwork. BUDGET: GDMPAF relies on financial support from individuals, foundations, and other support from both the public and private sectors. The GDMPAF has earmarked $250,000 for a proposed artwork or work of design. This sum covers expenses associated with, but not limited to, the design, labor, materials, tools, contracted services, and travel required to complete the art work for the 6TH AVENUE BRIDGE. A design honorarium of $2,000 will be awarded to each finalist. SUBMISSION: GDMPF will conduct its submission process online with the materials submitted in digital format through CaFE™ at www.callforentry.org. No slides or CDs will be accepted. Interested artists are required to create a CaFE™ profile to apply. There is no fee to apply. CaFE™estimates that first time users of the system should allow approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to prepare images and submit applications. SELECTION PROCESS: The selection panel is composed of members of the GDMPAF, project design team, community leaders, and 6AC representatives. The panel will consider and evaluate all applications submitted and will recommend finalists based on written statements, quality of portfolio submissions and previous experience. Finalists will visit Des Moines for individual interviews with the Selection Panel. At the interview, finalist teams will have the opportunity to ask questions and to present additional materials – digital images or PowerPoint – to reinforce and illustrate their particular approach to past projects. Each finalist will be assessed on their ability and qualifications as illustrated in previous commissions or similar scale and scope, their approach to the project and reasons they feel their work or approach is best suited for the site. The Selection Panel will then make a recommendation to the GDMPAF Board (the board reserves the right to recommend none of the submissions). SCHEDULE: Application Deadline: Monday, March 12, 2012 Finalists Notification: Monday, April 9, 2012 by Email. Finalists Presentations: Monday, May 7, 2012 Announcement of Selected Artist/Design Team: Monday, May 14, 2012

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria