2603_Call for Artists_J Malden_Light Installation.pdf

ARTIST OPPORTUNITY: Page 1 of 5 Malden Center Portable Light Installation Release Date: March 31, 2026 Due date for Responses: April 23, 2026, at 12:00pm

CONTACT

Email questions to Elena Eimert at eeimert@cityofmalden.org with the subject line: “Malden Center Portable Light Installation”

I. OVERVIEW

Purpose The City of Malden Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) is seeking an artist or team of artists to design and produce a light installation piece. The piece must be portable, so that it may be relocated in the future. The public purpose of the art installation is to celebrate Malden’s rich cultural diversity and stimulate community connection with Malden’s new Public Art Strategy. Its initial host will be J Malden Center, in a currently vacant storefront facing onto Commercial Street, street address 20 Commercial Street. The piece ideally requires only one outlet connection and is freestanding or mounted in such a way that it is visible from the window bays. The storefront window is approximately 21 feet wide by 7 feet high. The installation will be officially revealed to the public during a launch event organized by the City in partnership with the Artist(s).

Award The Artist(s) will be awarded a total of $15,000 that will be provided by OSPCD as the project progresses on a pre-determined schedule. There will be a grant agreement between the City of Malden OSPCD and the Artist(s). The award will cover supplies, artist fees, liability insurance, and all project costs. OSPCD will provide coordination and project management support as needed.

The City in its sole discretion may choose not to make an award.

Funding for this project is made possible through a state earmark.

II. CONTEXT/BACKGROUND

Malden is looking to implement its new public art strategy focused on Malden’s downtown, following the completion of an arts planning process in spring 2025. More information about Malden’s Public Art Strategy can be found at this link: https://www.cityofmalden.org/1225/Public-Art.

The initial location of the installation will be inside a vacant storefront on Commercial Street, street address 20 Commercial Street, owned by J Malden Center. The location is pictured below. The dimensions of the window are approximately 21 feet wide by 7 feet high. OSPCD has already received permission from the building owner, J Malden Center, to proceed with this project.

https://www.cityofmalden.org/1225/Public-Art https://www.google.com/maps/place/20+Commercial+St,+Malden,+MA+02148/@42.4266559,-71.0759182,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e37160abd25179:0xc423ce67a5520196!8m2!3d42.426652!4d-71.0733433!16s%2Fg%2F11pyvy41j1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMxOC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D https://www.cityofmalden.org/1225/Public-Art

Source: Google Maps

III. WHO CAN APPLY

Lead applicants must be an artists(s) aged 18 years or older. Preference will be given to applicants with a connection to Malden.

IV. SELECTION PROCESS & CRITERIA

A review committee consisting of up to five individuals will evaluate the proposals received. The committee will be comprised of at least one OSPCD staff member, one staff member from the Mayor’s office, and a representative each from Creative Malden, Malden Creates, and Malden Arts.

OSPCD staff will review applications for eligibility. Committee members will review eligible submissions in accordance with the criteria listed below. The review committee may seek outside expertise, including, but not limited to, input from technical and subject matter advisors to assist in evaluating proposals.

Selection Criteria

• Artist(s) demonstrates:

o Experience creating light installations of similar dimensions o Experience working with community input to create visually impactful pieces that reflect the characteristics of a place and its community o Project management skills, including keeping to a set project budget and schedule o Capacity to complete the piece between May-June 2026 within budget of $15,000

• Artist(s) initial concept stimulates community connection with Malden’s new Public Art Strategy and celebrates Malden’s rich cultural diversity o Elevates community feedback from Malden’s Public Art Strategy (See pages 19-22 of the Public Art Strategy to learn more about community feedback). Note: Concepts should not include copyright material, brand/business names or promotional material for particular brands/businesses. An original, previously unpublished, work of art that is inclusive, welcoming, appropriate, and suitable for diverse audiences of all ages https://www.cityofmalden.org/1225/Public-Art

Priority Selection will be considered for applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Artists with a connection to Malden

V. HOW TO APPLY

Submit a complete application package with all of the application elements below.

Submission Instructions Applicants must submit a digital copy of their proposal and corresponding materials via email to the City of Malden OSPCD at OSPCDInfo@cityofmalden.org. Include “J Malden Portable Light Installation” in the subject line.

Artist information

1) Contact information: Artist name and contact information, including phone number, email address and mailing address. Team applications should identify a primary contact for the team.

2) Artist/Artist Team Experience. The following materials should speak to the artist/artist team’s experience and/or readiness to create light installations of similar dimensions, work with community input to create visually impactful pieces that reflect the characteristics of a place and its community and project manage - keeping to a set project budget and schedule to complete the piece between May-June 2026 within budget.

3) Required Documentation:

a) Resume/CV (2-page max) and/or short bio (2 paragraphs). Team applications should provide brief bios of team members.

b) Work samples. 3-5 digital images of applicant’s related work with descriptions that include: title, year, medium and size.

Other Optional Documentation:

c) Letter of Support from a person or organization that can speak to the artist/artist team’s experience with light installation pieces and project management skills.

d) Links to artist(s)’s website, digital portfolio, Instagram, or social media platform.

Project Concept

1) Project Description (1-page max).

a. Be sure to include information regarding medium and dimensions, and describe how your design concept will meet the following selection criteria:

Celebrates Malden’s rich cultural diversity Stimulates community connection with and elevates community feedback from

Malden’s new public art strategy

2) Conceptual proposal: Sketch or conceptual drawing of your project concept (1-page max, submitted in a PDF, jpeg, or png file). Please note this is meant to demonstrate the artist’s vision for the piece. The City is not expecting a true conceptual design.

3) Draft Project Budget. Please provide a preliminary project budget including supplies, artist fees, insurance, and all project costs for the proposed concept. Note: Total budget available is $15,000.

4) Confirmation that the lead artist(s) have the capacity to complete the project between May-June 2026.

mailto:OSPCDInfo@cityofmalden.org

VI. PROPOSED TIMELINE

For Applicants:

1. Call for Artists Application Release Date: March 31, 2026

2. Call for Artists Virtual Information Session: April 8, 2026 at 4pm

• Meeting Link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/28210454575990?p=GqyRupXPgNQLUHpEXU

• Meeting ID: 282 104 545 759 90

• Passcode: XY68UX23

3. Question Submission Deadline: April 13, 2026

• Send questions to OSPCDInfo@cityofmalden.org

4. Responses to all questions received via email and during info sessions will be posted online by April 16, 2026

5. Application Due Date: April 23, 2026 at 12:00pm

• All materials should be submitted via email to: OSPCDInfo@cityofmalden.org

6. Review Committee reviews all eligible submissions

7. Award announced on or before May 7, 2026

For Selected Artist(s):

1. Grant agreement signed: By Early May

2. Initial kick off meeting where artist receives feedback on their design concept from the review committee: By Early- to Mid-May (payment #1)

3. Design Phase: Artist to work on final design from Mid-May to Early June

4. Final design approved by Early June (payment #2)

5. Creation phase: Piece created: Mid- to Late-June

6. Final inspection by the City: Mid- to Late-June (payment #3)

7. All final deliverables, including unveiling event, complete Late June (payment #4)

Note that the grant agreement, final artwork completion, and final deliverables dates are subject to negotiation and change.

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/28210454575990?p=GqyRupXPgNQLUHpEXU%20 mailto:OSPCDInfo@cityofmalden.org

VII. PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The proposed payment schedule is as follows:

Deliverable 1: Signed Public Art Grant Agreement & Kick Off Meeting

$3,000

Deliverable 2: Approved Final Design $2,000

Deliverable 3: Installation and Inspection

$5,500

Deliverable 4: Unveiling Event $4,500

VIII. COPYRIGHT

Municipality and grantee each reserves a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, and otherwise use, and authorize others to use any artworks/deliverables developed under this agreement with attribution. Grantee retains all ownership and copyright of any ancillary materials developed under the Grant Agreement and will grant Municipality a royalty-free, nonexclusive, limited right to reproduce, publish, and otherwise use any such ancillary materials on a case-by-case basis with the written permission of Grantee.