Introduction
An artist or artist team is sought to design, fabricate, and install a temporary artwork at  the entrance of Theatre in the Park, located within Shawnee Mission Park. Theatre in the Park is the largest outdoor community theatre in the country celebrating its 52nd year of theatre. Our outdoor amphitheater is tucked into 10 beautiful acres in Shawnee Mission Park with a separate entrance at 7710 Renner Road. The goal is activate this space and create some magic for this summer tradition and for all the trail users that intersect with this space. 

Johnson County Park & Recreation District (JCPRD) launched its Public Art Program in 2019 to activate parks, trails, and facilities in a new way. The JCPRD Public Art Program commissions and cares for a collection of public artworks in JCPRD parks and facilities, and promotes the community’s access to and engagement with public art. The Public Art Program is guided by the JCPRD Public Art Committee (PAC), a nine-member advisory committee to the JCPRD Board.

JCPRD recently completed a Public Art Master Plan. As part of this planning process, the following vision has been developed as a guiding statement for the program:

• Public art in JCPRD parks, trails and facilities will inspire a deeper connection to place through interactive, immersive, and inclusive experiences.

Project Description
The Public Art Program is interested in commissioning an artist or artist team to create a site-specific, temporary work for Theatre in the Park over the summer season of 2022.

Site
The Theatre in the Park (TIP) is located on 10 acres in the northeast corner of Shawnee Mission Park. Each summer, Theatre in the Park presents five popular Broadway-style musicals, with casts featuring actors from the surrounding community. The season welcomes over 32,000 attendees over the course of a summer, culminating with Evening in the Park, a free summertime party featuring live music and a movie. As an added feature to Theatre in the Park, a temporary public art project will be installed to create a fun, interactive, and magical component to this much-loved community tradition. The project(s) will be unveiled during the Theatre in the Park season and will be commissioned to last for multiple weeks. The site for this work will sit on the outside the TIP entrance gate to allow access and enjoyment by trail users in addition to TIP attendees.

The 2022 season line up can be found here: https://www.theatreinthepark.org/ 

In the fall 2021, Theatre in the Park completed a concept plan to set a vision for the next generation of Theatre in the Park, also known as “Act II.” The current structure is nearing the end of its life and requires new investment to the site. A capital campaign will accompany this vision in the coming 2-5 years to help raise money to realize this plan. You can read more about this plan HERE. 

Artist Scope of Work
The selected artist will be responsible for designing, fabricating, and installing the artwork, including:

• Based on the approved concept proposal, developing final design documents detailing every physical feature of the construction of the artwork and its integration with the site.
• Executing the final design on schedule and in a manner that conforms to the approved concept proposal. Interactive sound elements should not be incorporated into the piece (due to potential distraction during the live performances).
• Managing all aspects of the installation and deinstallation of the artwork. JCPRD planning staff will assist with any lighting solutions needed to properly illuminate the wall at night.
• Working cooperatively and maintaining effective communication with all parties involved in the project.
• Collaborating with JCPRD to develop and lead an educational program related to the artwork development process or the artwork itself.
• Collaborating with JCPRD on marketing and promotion of artwork.
• Participating, as requested, in community outreach.

Public Art Goals
The goals for the Theatre in the Park temporary art installation are to:

• Engage visitors of Shawnee Mission Park and attendees of Theatre in the Park and trail users with an artwork that is fun, interactive and/or participatory.
• Create a sense of magic in the park and around Theatre in the Park that can be enjoyed during daylight and evening hours.  Artists are encouraged to consider lighting as part of their design.
• Create a piece that is site specific and inspired by the usage and visitation.
• Provide opportunities for local and regional artists.

Background/Historical Information about Theatre in the Park:
The idea of presenting live theatre performances in a Johnson County park was launched in 1970 with the theatre's first season on a stage comprised of a few boards and bricks near a pond in Antioch Park. The early patrons were enthusiastic, supportive and so hungry for the arts that the park could not accommodate them all. After only two seasons, the stage was moved to an area in Shawnee Mission Park where the program thrived and the crowds continued to grow.

Celebrating its 53rd Season in 2022, The Theatre in the Park continues a summer theatre tradition that has entertained audiences for generations.  With annual attendance of approximately 35,000 patrons, the Theatre shares the magic of live theatre with young and old alike and draws patrons from throughout the Greater Kansas City area.  

The Theatre provides creative challenges for hundreds of performers (actors, orchestra, crew) as well as employment opportunities for area residents. The Theatre in the Park has won numerous awards and accolades, including "Best in Business" by Ingram's Magazine.

Selection Process
The Theatre in the Park Art Selection Committee (ASC), comprised of arts professionals, community members, a representative from the Public Art Committee, and JCPRD staff, will serve as the recommending body for selecting an artist or artist team. The final artist selection and concept will be approved by the JCPRD Board.

Eligibility: The opportunity to compete for this project is open to Artists residing within 500 miles of this site, including emerging Artists in collaboration with other Artists.

Qualification Review Process: The ASC will review artist qualifications and select up to three (3) finalists to create concept proposals for the project opportunity. Artist qualifications will be reviewed by the ASC based on the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence: What is the quality of the artist’s work and their compatibility with the project?
• Goals: Does the artist’s body of work demonstrate an ability to create an artwork that responds to the goals of the project?
• Approach: How well does the artist communicate his/her understanding of the project?
• Capabilities: Does the artist have sufficient experience to be able to design, fabricate, and install an artwork on time and on budget?

Finalist Review Process: Up to three (3) finalists will be selected to create concept proposals for the artwork opportunity. Finalists will be paid a stipend of $500 to participate in the concept proposal process. Artists living more than 100 miles from Theatre in the Park will be paid an additional amount up to $250 for travel and lodging expenses for the site visit.

Proposals will include renderings and a short narrative description, as well as a preliminary budget and timeline. Finalists will present their concept proposals to the Art Selection Committee. The finalists will present in person if at all possible but virtual options will be made available if needed.   

If applying as a team, please assign a team leader to respond to the submission questions, communicate which artist(s) are responsible for each of the work samples, and submit one resume and one references attachment for the team with one resume page and at least one reference per team member.

JCPRD intends to award the contract to one artist or artist team; however JCPRD reserves the right to award to one or more applicant, or no applicants if none of the applications are deemed acceptable.

 You will be asked to attach the following files in your online submission:

• A CV/resume with current contact information (no more than 3 pages) (PDF).
• Names and contact information for 3 -5 professional references (PDF).
• Up to 5 sample images of previous artwork relevant to this project (JPEG).
• Corresponding image information about each work sample, including: artwork title, a brief description of the artwork (100 words or less), medium, completion date, dimensions, location, and total budget/cost (please use the Price/Value field in CaFE). In the description field, please state the commissioning agency if applicable, and state your role in the creation of the artwork if other artists or design professionals were involved in its creation.

If applying as a team, please assign a team leader to respond to the submission questions, communicate which artist(s) are responsible for each of the work samples, and submit one resume and one references attachment for the team with one resume page and at least one reference per team member.

JCPRD intends to award the contract to one artist or artist team; however JCPRD reserves the right to award to one or more applicant, or no applicants if none of the applications are deemed acceptable.

Tentative Timeline

Budget
The budget for the artwork is not to exceed $10,000. This budget includes all costs of designing, fabricating and installing the artwork, including but not limited to all design fees, fabrication, materials and equipment costs, professional fees, travel and lodging during design, fabrication and/or installation, insurance, overhead, site work, shipping, and installation costs. JCPRD may be able to provide some support for site work depending on the design. JCPRD staff will provide support with lighting solutions.  The artist should not expect concrete site work,  the design should be compatible with a grass surface with proper anchoring planned appropriately.  

Final Contract
Following recommendation of the ASC and Public Art Committee and approval by the JCPRD Board, the Artist will finalize a contract with JCPRD for final design, fabrication, construction, installation, and oversight of the Artwork.

Questions and Virtual Open House Available for Artists

Any questions should be submitted via email by before January 12, 2022, to:

Susan Mong, Superintendent of Culture
Susan.mong@jocogov.org

An online zoom open house will also be held on January 12 at noon to field any questions for prospective artists. Sign up at the website listed below to receive the Zoom link.

Questions will be compiled, summarized, and shared on the JCPRD website: https://bit.ly/JCPRD-TIP.

Other Resources:

• https://www.theatreinthepark.org/
• https://www.jcprd.com/facilities/facility/details/Shawnee-Mission-Park-14
• https://www.jcprd.com/1308/Public-Art-Program

Technical questions for CAFÉ should be directed to: https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/.

Application Requirements

You will be asked to attach the following files in your online submission:

• A letter of interest that indicates their interest in the project and how they might approach the commission (no more than 2 pages).
• A CV/resume with current contact information (no more than 3 pages).
• Names and contact information for 3 -5 professional references.
• Up to 5 sample images of previous artwork relevant to this project.
• A corresponding image list with artwork title, medium, dimensions, brief description, location, date of work, commissioning entity and budget/price.
• We encourage teams and/or emerging artists to apply on this project.

If applying as a team, please assign a team leader to respond to the submission questions, communicate which artist(s) are responsible for each of the work samples, and submit one resume and one references attachment for the team with one resume page and at least one reference per team member.

JCPRD intends to award the contract to one artist or artist team; however, JCPRD reserves the right to award to one or more applicant, or no applicants if none of the applications are deemed acceptable.

Eligibility Criteria

The public art opportunity is open to professional artists residing within 500 miles of Kansas City with a preference on artists living in the Kansas City region.