Deadline to Submit: Monday, June 4, 2018 by 5:00pm CST Artist Fees: $1,500.00 Installation Date: June 20, 2018
Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to artists/artist teams interested in creating unique artwork on an art wall in Pegasus Plaza in the Downtown Dallas area.
Downtown Dallas, Inc. has completed construction of a steel frame art wall that will be placed in Pegasus Plaza for the next 3-6 months, and it is requesting artists interested in creating work for the wall to submit their interest. The selected artist(s) will create work on sheets of plywood, which will be installed by DDI staff and expected to be exhibited at Pegasus Plaza. The artwork should be semi-permanent in nature, with an expected life span of 3-6 months. All materials used in the production of the piece will become the property of DDI upon installation.
ABOUT DOWNTOWN DALLAS, INC.
Downtown Dallas, Inc. is the principal advocate, champion and steward of Downtown, effecting change by developing strategies, setting targets and mobilizing resources that:
* Stimulate a vibrant and sustainable Downtown environment
* Improve infrastructure
* Enhance economic competitiveness
* Create a culturally inclusive urban center
* Position the area as a global destination
* Foster innovation and technology in all aspects of the urban experience
OVERVIEW AND PROJECT GOALS
The intent of this project is to transform space and engage the public through a new place-based work. Artists are asked to propose projects that will be fully unveiled at a Start of Summer lunchtime celebration on June 21; however, artist’s/artist team’s project will have a visibility element in the neighborhood for 3-6 months depending on how the work holds up in the Dallas summer heat. In keeping with the nature of this project, Downtown Dallas, Inc. encourages innovation and experimentation within the bounds of public safety and being setting-appropriate. This is an opportunity to work in a space not otherwise allowed and to engage the city and neighborhood in your work.
PROJECT GOALS
* Beautification of Pegasus Plaza while the Magnolia Hotel undergoes construction and temporary fencing is in place.
* Pilot a new public art wall for DDI.
* Create more awareness of Pegasus Plaza.
* Reflect a sense of the Downtown Dallas neighborhood identity in the work.
The selected artist(s) will be expected to work collaboratively with the Downtown Dallas, Inc. staff and contractors to approve the final design of the public artwork. The artist will be responsible for designing and fabricating the work and participating in installation. DDI will be responsible for providing and delivering the plywood to the artist’s studio; picking it up upon completion; and installing in the art wall frame at Pegasus Plaza.
The selection panel will be open to a wide range of ideas, but there are several fundamental aims of the project that the selected artists/artist teams should keep in mind, while designing artwork for the site. These include the importance of:
* High aesthetic merit of the work
* Overall safety of the design
* Low degree of maintenance of the work
Artwork should be appropriate and responsive to the pedestrian-oriented streetscape environment.
BUDGET
The budget available for artwork (inclusive of artist fee, design, fabrication, drawings, and documentation) is $1,500.00 for the work. DDI will provide the plywood, transportation for the plywood to and from the artist’s studio, and installation of the piece.
ARTIST ELIGIBILITY
Eligible artists must be 18 years or older and reside within 20 miles of Dallas. Please note: The selected artist/artist team must be available to begin design work immediately (summer 2018). Artist/artist team must also be available to manage installation of the artwork, tentatively scheduled for the evening of June 20, 2018. The artist must also be available to participate in a lunchtime event on June 21, 2018, where ideally, he/she will put the finishing touches on the painting on site once it’s installed.
PUBLICITY SUPPORT
Downtown Dallas, Inc. will promote the artist on its website, in print materials, media releases, and public efforts. Selected artists are expected to be cooperative in publicity and media opportunities.
DIMENSIONS AND PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS
Art Wall: 14’ Long x 9’ Tall Paintable Surface (Plywood): 13’ 3” Long x 8’ Tall
Plywood will come in 3 sections. The wall is only viewable from one side once installed. Please remember the wall will be installed outdoors at Pegasus Plaza, so the paint selected needs to be able to weather the elements and direct sunlight for three to six months.
ARTIST SELECTION CRITERIA
Applicants must demonstrate the following qualifications and qualities:
* Ability to work collaboratively with other design professionals, stakeholders and staff.
* Experience working with durable materials specific to the outdoor environment.
* Ability to understand a locale’s sense of place, and design in a context-sensitive manner.
* Demonstrated successful creative, innovative, and effective approach in comparable projects.
* Excellent communication skills.
* Possess a proven mastery or skill in at least one artistic medium.
* Experience or knowledge of artwork installation of public artwork.
Selection will be based on:
* Description of the project you would like to undertake, including your media and desired approach to location;
* The quality of your work, as demonstrated by your visual materials;
* Past successful creative, innovative, and effective projects;
* The relativity between your project, the site, and the chosen category proposed under;
* Your ability to meet the requirements of the installation period and the proposed project with the budget requested.
SELECTION PROCESS
The selection panel for this project will consist of staff and board members from Downtown Dallas, Inc., as well as its art activation contractor as deemed appropriate. The selection panel and advisors will review the submissions and recommend artists and alternates for commission. The artists will work closely with staff from Downtown Dallas, Inc. to finalize design. Once approved, the artists will proceed with fabrication and installation.
*New works commissioned by Downtown Dallas, Inc. require that Downtown Dallas, Inc. be listed as the commissioning organization.
SCHEDULE (subject to revision)
Request for proposals issued Thursday, May 24, 2018
Deadline for artist submissions Monday, June 4, 2018
Review of proposals/interviews Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Artists chosen/put under contract Friday, June 8, 2018
Fabrication commences Friday, June 8, 2018
Installation Wednesday, June 20, 2018 (Evening)
Public unveiling & “finishing touches” onsite Thursday, June 21, 2018 (Lunchtime)
De-installation 3-6 Months Following Installation
~~~~~~~~~~~ I M P O R T A N T I N S T R U C T I O N S ~~~~~~~~~~~
* Please do not use staples or submit your application materials in notebooks or binders.
* Websites may not be substituted for images.
* Applications received after 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Monday, June 4, 2018, will not be considered.
* Rain or Shine: When developing a proposal, consideration should be given to the fact that the work will be outdoors and subject to the elements, and in a high-traffic area.
MAILING OR DROP-OFF ADDRESS: Downtown Dallas, Inc. Attention: Juan Galvan/Art Wall Project Bank of America Plaza 901 Main Street, Suite 7100 Dallas, TX 75202 Main Tel: (214) 744-1270 EMAILED SUBMISSIONS: Galvan@downtowndallas.com together@ensembleXD.com
HOURS: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST
QUESTIONS: Juan Galvan (214) 707-0605 Galvan@downtowndallas.com
APPLICATION FORM
The following application form is a REQUIRED part of the Downtown Dallas, Inc. proposal process and must be included with all proposals in order to be considered. (If you are proposing more than one project complete one form for each proposal).
Name of Group or Artist: _______________________________________________________________________
Name of Neighborhood Collaborative (if relevant): __________________________________________________
Requested Funding (total project budget is $1,500): ________________________________________________
Name of Primary Contact Person: ______________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone(s) (specify best number): Work________________________ Home__________________________ Cell_____________________________
Email: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Website: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Checklist: I have enclosed/attached all of the following required documents (detailed description of each on next page).
______ Letter of Interest _______ Itemized Budget
______ Professional Resume _______ Images of Proposed Work for this Project
______ Images of Past Work _______ Professional References
Where did you hear about the opportunity? ________________________________________________________
S U B M I S S I O N R E Q U I R E M E N T S
1. Letter of Interest
Please describe your interest in this project and general approach to an artwork installation of this type, describing your proposed design concept, including preliminarily identified materials, approximate dimensions, anticipated fabrication and installation methods, and requirements for long-term maintenance and care. Include an approximate set-up and strike schedule for your proposal that must fit within allotted installation timeline of June 20, 2018. Also include any additional site needs such as electricity during installation. Entire letter should be no longer than one (1) typed page.
2. Itemized Budget
Please include a detailed, itemized budget based on the amount of money required to complete your proposal. Budget should include, where applicable: artist fees; all supplies and materials; equipment rental; labor. Volunteers may be requested but should not supplant the minimal number of individuals needed to complete the installation); technical support (lighting, sound, projection, etc.) and crew; workshop expenses; transportation.
Note: Downtown Dallas, Inc. does not pay for administrative expenses, capital expenses (purchase of equipment) or insurance. Downtown Dallas, Inc. will provide the plywood for the piece, as well as drop off/pick up of the plywood.
3. Professional Resume
Please provide your resume or outline your experience as an artist (no longer than four (4) typed pages). In the case of a team application, please include resumes for each team member.
4. Images of Proposed Work for this Project
Please provide 1–5 images of your proposed concept for this project, as hand-drawn or digitally created rendering, on paper (hard copy) or in digital format (.jpg). If paper (hard copy), please restrict size to 8 ½ x 11, mounted on a piece of foam core, cardstock or cardboard backing in a protective sleeve. If digital (.jpg or PDF), please restrict dimensions to a maximum of 800 x 600 pixels, and a minimum of 720 x 480 pixels. Please keep formatting simple and do not include fancy fonts, colors, transitions, sound or other “extras.” Please keep total size for the PowerPoint/Keynote/PDF presentation under 2 MB, or it will not be viewed. The presentation should be submitted to Downtown Dallas, Inc. by emailing it to together@ensembleXD.com and/or included on a jump drive with the rest of the physical proposal.
5. Digital Images of Past Work
Please provide up to 10 digital images of past work in a PowerPoint/Keynote/PDF presentation with images in priority order of desired presentation. Images within the PowerPoint should have maximum dimensions of 800 x 600 pixels and minimum dimensions of 720 x 480 pixels. Each PowerPoint slide must include (at minimum) the artist’s name, title of the work, medium and size. Additional information, if applicable, could include site, commissioning person or agency, and budget. Installations or 3-dimensional work may be illustrated by multiple images. Please keep formatting simple and do not include fancy fonts, colors, transitions, sound or other “extras.” Please keep total size for the PowerPoint/Keynote/PDF presentation under 2 MB, or it will not be viewed. The presentation should be submitted to Downtown Dallas, Inc. by emailing it to together@ensembleXD.com and/or included on a jump drive with the rest of the physical proposal.
6. Professional References
Please provide the names and contact information of three individuals with whom you have worked or who have commissioned your work in the past. Actual letters of reference are not required.
All proposals must be emailed, hand delivered or received by mail by June 4, 2018, 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Faxed or incomplete proposals will not be accepted.
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