Project Description

Norman Arts Council on behalf of The City of Norman and Norman Forward Percent for Art for Reaves Park, is seeking an artist (or team of artists) to create a significant work of art for Reaves Park located at 2501 Jenkins Avenue, Norman, Oklahoma.

The area of the park that is included in the current project (Phase 1) is approximately 45 acres within the total 78 acres of the park.

Norman is a growing, progressive city located 20 miles south of downtown Oklahoma City and is the third-largest city in Oklahoma. The citizens of Norman initiated NORMAN FORWARD, a proposal to renovate, expand, construct and fund Quality of Life projects, such as multiple recreational facilities, libraries, parks, athletic venues, public art, trails, swim complexes and other quality of life projects throughout Norman.  The initiative went to the City Council from community groups, stakeholders and Norman residents, who prepared an initial package using analysis and information from recreational planning professionals and research firms. In 2015, the City Council placed NORMAN FORWARD on a ballot that was overwhelmingly supported by Norman voters. For more information about Norman, please see http://www.normanok.gov/cm/norman-forwardand www.visitnorman.com.

Reaves Park History

Of the 64 neighborhood and community parks in Norman, Reaves Park is one of the oldest which is evidenced by its location in the middle of town nestled in the tree-lined campus neighborhoods of the University of Oklahoma. The history of Reaves Park is as unique and varied as the athletics and events that take place there.

Because of its central location, Reaves Park has long been the center of activities for generations of Norman citizens and countless visitors. Reaves Park is the site for the adult and youth baseball and softball complex which is being expanded from the existing 9 fields to include 4 additional fields with lighting, restrooms, concession facilities and additional parking. These improvements will draw more regional games and tournaments expanding the season to run May through October.

Other features at the park include the Cleveland County Veterans’ Memorial, a well-used play places for children, a September 11th memorial labyrinth known as the Prairie Peace Path, batting cages, trails, picnic pavilions. The master plan (see map) for the park includes a new splash pad, a stage and amphitheater, and festival lawn. In addition to family activities and events, some of the annual events that take place at Reaves Park are large community celebrations for the Fourth of July, Juneteenth, and one of the largest festivals in Oklahoma – the Medieval Fair which draws visitors from across the state and region.

Reaves Park wasn’t initially conceived as a city park. At the onset of World War II, the Naval Air Station was constructed at the University of Oklahoma’s Max Westheimer airport (a separate location known as “North Base”) where cadets were trained to pilot Boeing N2S Stearman biplanes, the first planes flown by student pilots sent to Norman by the Navy. The second base, “South Base” or the Naval Air Technical Training Center, was located southeast of the University at Jenkins Avenue and Constitution Street, where Reaves Park is today. Central Oklahoma was selected for the bases because of the large number of days with good clear weather for flying. These two bases were operational from 1942 to 1959.

The Navy deactivated their Norman bases after WWII and the Korean Conflict but left a real presence in the buildings and changes to Norman they made while here. Some of those buildings and housing additions still exist. In 1961 the buildings and land of the North Base went to the University of Oklahoma, but the City of Norman received the fields east of Jenkins Avenue the future location of Reaves Park.

The current improvements to Reaves Park includes the naming of the ball fields and park signage to reference the site’s significant aviation history.

For more historical information and photographs see: Norman’s Navy Years at:

https://www.clevelandcountyhistoricalsociety.com/normans-navy-years.html

and

www.normanoklahomahistory.com/2016/11/a-naval-base-on-prairie-norman-and.html

The Artwork

The Selection Panel has determined that the most effective artwork will be a monumental three-dimensional sculpture centrally located in the park on an axis with prominent site features and programmed areas.

The area identified for the artwork is approximately 80’ long parallel to the park road, and no further from the road than 40’ either east or west to prevent the art from conflicting with future phases of renovation (see the map). This location has been selected because of the potential for the artwork to be very visible to the largest number of visitors to the park.

A vertical sculpture would not only establish the “heart” of the park but also serve as a meeting place and significant landmark. Because of the broad diversity of the users and people coming to the park, creating this special space would visually, physically, and emotionally bring everyone together. At the core of Reaves Park is a competitive spirit, yet simultaneously is a sense of community building. Bringing together young athletes, historic re-enactors, fans, grandparents, all iterations of families, and many other park-goers is one of the most compelling roles of Reaves Park.

Built upon the history of Norman, the role of aviation, and the various park activities, the successful artwork will appeal to the multi-generational park users and in some fashion, either aesthetically or literally, be interactive. This may be as subtle as watching changes in the artwork caused by the different light, time of day or season. Or it could be that the art becomes an iconic photo opportunity. Alternately the art could engage the viewer to physically interact with it. A functional work of art, such as one that provides shade or incorporates a utilitarian aspect, would also be welcomed.

Because visibility and proper scale to the park are vital considerations, it is important to note that ballgames (taking place May through October), many festivals, and other activities take place not only during the day but at night too. The park is very well lit at night, particularly the ball fields, so there should be accommodations to have the artwork easily seen during that time as well during the day.

The Selection Panel is open to any media or material that is appropriate to the site as long as it is durable, safe, low maintenance, and vandalism resistant. Because Reaves Park has a very large number of child visitors, it is crucial that the design and materials are child-friendly and safe. The City of Norman and Norman Arts Council stress that the public art in Norman is ADA compliant so it is accessible and enjoyed by everyone.

Ideally, Reaves Park will undergo more renovations in the near future with Phases 2 and 3 of the Master Plan. These future phases coming to fruition are dependent upon the City of Norman securing the funding. At this time, we are exploring the idea that the artist selected for this present project would be the first artist considered to design and create the public art for Phase 2 if the design, fabrication, and installation are successful in this Phase 1.

Budget 

The total artist's fee for the project is $62,000.00. This amount must cover all associated costs including design, materials, fabrication, lighting, travel, insurance coverage, shipping, and installation.

Committee and Selection Criteria

Selection for this project will be made by a panel including stakeholders, design professionals, City representatives, a member of the Norman Public Art committee, a member of the Norman Arts Council Board, and members of the arts community.

Three finalists will be selected based on the materials submitted---please see the Application Guidelines above.

After a formal presentation by the finalists, the selection panel will choose the best project for the site based on the merit of the artist’s work, past experience including completing projects on time and within budget, and appropriateness of the proposed concept. The Panel will also consider artists who can demonstrate sensitivity to the site and surroundings. Artists must be able to commit and effectively work within the project timeline and collaborate with the administration of City of Norman Parks and Recreation Department and Norman Arts Council.

Selection Process

1. The Selection Panel will review all applicants who respond to this RFQ.
2. Three finalists will be invited to move on in the process.
3. Finalists will come to Norman for a mandatory site visit to meet with the Project Team and others. Finalists will be paid a $600.00 allowance to cover transportation, hotel, and per diem expenses for the site visit.
4. After the site visit, finalists will be asked to create a site-specific design proposal that will include:
   1. a scale model, maquette, or computer-generated design
   2. an itemized budget
   3. a project timeline
   4. project narrative
   5. maintenance plan
5. Finalists will each be awarded an honorarium of $1,000.00 for their proposal.
6. Finalists will be required to present their proposals in-person to the Selection Panel and will receive a $600.00 allowance for transportation, hotel, and per diem expenses for the proposal presentations.
7. The Selection Panel will make the final decision on the artist awarded the project pending approval of the Norman Arts Council and Norman City Council.

Commissioning of artists is implemented without preference to racial or ethnic origins, sex, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability, or age, and all are encouraged to apply.

The Norman Arts Council and the City of Norman reserve the right to modify this solicitation and to request additional information or proposals from any or all participating artists. The Norman Arts Council and the City of Norman also reserve the right to accept or reject, at any time prior to the commissioning of a work, any or all proposals when the acceptance, rejection, waiver or advertisement would be in the best interest of the project. In addition, they may solicit proposals from artists not responding to this call and reserve the right to select an artist outside of the pool of artists responding to this call.

Timeline

• RFQ Deadline: October 17, 2022 11:59pm MST

The following dates are approximate and subject to change:

• Notify Artists:  First week of November 2022
• Finalists’ Site Visit: First week of December 2022
• Finalists’ Presentation of Proposals: Mid-January 2023
• Contract with Selected Artist: February 2023
• Installation and Dedication of Artwork: August 2023

Application Requirements

Submissions for this project must contain the following materials:

• A one page maximum typed letter of interest outlining your qualifications for and interest in the project, as well as the general idea for your approach.  Please consider the following questions when developing your letter of interest:
  • Why do you want to work on this project?
  • How would you approach this project? 
  • What materials do you work with that would be appropriate for outdoor use?
  • Have you worked on similar projects? If not, what relevant experiences do you have?
  • How does this project relate to your current work?
• Resume/CV (not to exceed three pages)
• Three references with whom you have worked on a public art project, including current telephone number and email address.
• 10 - 15 high-resolution images of previous work you feel would support your ability to carry out this project. Include all pertinent information on your Cafe slides: title, medium, size, date of completion, location, and project details (i.e. Budget commissioning agency, etc., if public art).

Eligibility Criteria

Artist Eligibility

Open to professional artists with experience working on public art projects of this scale and working in creating site-specific works.

Artists identifying with an ethnic, cultural, sexual, gender, economic, or ability minority are encouraged to apply.