Public Art Concept.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS / CALL FOR ARTISTS

FOR

PUBLIC ART CONCEPTS

Artistic Visions for West College Avenue

For

DEVELOPMENT AND LAND SERVICES DEPARTMENT

In partnership with

WEST COLLEGE AVENUE COALITION

Due By: August 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

1. Introduction and Background

Outagamie County recently secured a Community Connector Grant from Smart Growth America to develop a transformative vision for West College Avenue, from Mall Drive to Richmond Street, and the surrounding area (see Exhibit 1). This grant aims to support locally driven projects that reconnect communities impacted by divisive transportation infrastructure. This grant will fuel our initial phase of studying the corridor and engaging with the community to understand their needs and desires for the area.

One key element of the project is to consider options for public art to unify and beautify West College Avenue. The County seeks to contract with local artists to preliminarily explore artistic themes that celebrate the history, diversity, and natural surroundings of the community.

Contracted artists will develop a brief public art concept for the West College Avenue corridor, contributing to the overall vision for the project—A New Avenue: One Route, Endless Possibilities.

Up to five local artists will be selected to submit a concept. The community will be invited to review and vote on each concept. The concept receiving the most votes will be included in the Final Vision for the West College Avenue Project.

For more information about the project and the West College Avenue area, we encourage you to visit and explore the project website HERE.

2. Scope of Services

Local artists are encouraged to submit a proposal for consideration. Of the submitted proposals, up to five artists will be selected to develop and submit a concept.

If selected, artists will be responsible for developing a PDF document (maximum 10 pages) that:

Explains the public art concept (artistic vision) for W College Avenue. The concept should aim to:

o Establish an artistic theme for W College Avenue.

o Enhance the visual appeal and cultural vitality of W College Avenue.

o Promote community pride and identity through public art.

o Encourage pedestrian activity and engagement with the streetscape.

o Provide opportunities for local and regional artists to showcase their talents.

o Stimulate economic development and tourism through arts and culture.

Utilizes text/messaging as well as visual representations, such as sketches, renderings, or digital mock-ups, of proposed or example artworks.

Provides general ideas of the kinds of materials, mediums, or styles needed to https://college-avenue-corridor-study-townofgrandchute.hub.arcgis.com/ implement the public art theme cohesively along the corridor.

(Optional) Identifies suggested display areas along W College Avenue that maximize visibility and impact while respecting site constraints and existing infrastructure.

Artists are encouraged to explore themes that celebrate the history, diversity, and natural surroundings of the community. The proposed art should evoke a sense of place and serve as cohesive elements that unify the various sections of the W College Avenue corridor from Mall Drive to Richmond Street.

Proposed art concepts could include, but are not limited to:

Sculptures: Three-dimensional artworks that add visual interest and focal points.

Murals: Large-scale paintings or wall art.

Interactive Installations: Engaging artworks that invite participation and interaction.

Mosaics or Tile Art: Artworks created from mosaic tiles or ceramic materials, adding texture and color to the streetscape.

Nature Installations: Art installations incorporating natural elements such as rocks, plants, or recycled materials.

Performance Art and Street Theater: Live performances or theatrical events that activate public spaces and engage audiences.

Light Installations: Illuminated artworks using LED lights or other lighting techniques to create ambiance and visual interest.

Functional Art and Street Furniture: Artistic elements integrated into street furniture, such as benches, bike racks, or trash receptacles.

Temporary Installations and Pop-Up Art: Temporary artworks or installations that change over time, providing dynamic experiences for visitors.

Examples of Public Art Image Credit: www.migcom.com/work/west-capitol-avenue-streetscape; www.sfbetterstreets.org/find-project-types/streetscape-elements/street-furniture-overview/public-art/; https://citymovement.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/traffic-tree_01.jpg?w=584; https://www.youarecurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CIW-COVER-0510-streetscape1.jpg.;

https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/events/2022/12/14/art-installation-by-hybycozo-coming-to-milwaukee-heres-what-to-know/69727857007/; https://discoverwisconsin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Plymouth.png.

3. Pricing

Selected artists will receive a $5,000 reimbursement to cover time and expenses to develop the concept.

4. Proposal Submittal

To maintain uniformity between proposals, it is required that interested artists submit proposal responses in the following order and in a single PDF document (maximum five pages):

Cover Letter (maximum of one page). The letter should reference the artist’s primary contact(s) for this project along with their email and telephone number.

Section 1: Statement of Qualifications or Resume. Indicate the artist’s particular abilities and qualifications related to this project.

Section 2: Project Understanding and Approach. Explain the artist’s understanding of the Scope of Services to be performed and the process that the artist will use to complete assignments.

Section 3: Sample of Art Work. Provide a sampling of art that the artist has previously created.

Section 4: References. Provide a minimum of three and a maximum of five references.

For each reference, include a project description, date of services provided, and client name including contact name, address, phone number, and email.

Failure to provide all requested information may result in the rejection of an artist’s proposal.

5. Evaluation and Interviews

At a high level, proposals will be evaluated on the following:

Qualifications

Project Understanding and Approach

Sample of Art Work

References Artists may be requested for a virtual interview with the County’s evaluation team.

6. Contact Information

Purchasing Policy & Procedure Information

Nicole Schoultz Outagamie County, Procurement Coordinator

(920) 832-6083 Nicole.Schoultz@Outagamie.org mailto:Nicole.Schoultz@Outagamie.org

7. Clarification and/or Revisions to the Specifications and Requirements

Proposer must examine the RFP documents carefully and before submitting a Proposal may request from the County's contact person(s) additional information or clarification. A Proposer’s failure to request additional information or clarification shall preclude the Proposer from subsequently claiming any ambiguity, inconsistency, or error.

The County will issue responses to inquiries and any other corrections or amendments it deems necessary in written addendum prior to the Proposal due date. Proposers should rely only on the representations, statements or explanations that are contained in this RFP and the written addendum to this RFP. Where there appears to be a conflict between the RFP and any addendum issued, the last addendum issued will prevail.

It is the Proposer's responsibility to assure receipt of all addenda. Outagamie County will post any addenda online at www.outagamie.org under Bids & Proposals then this project. Upon posting, such addenda shall become part of the RFP and binding on Proposer(s).

8. County Reservation

Outagamie County openly solicits the best possible value on all of our "Requests for Proposals".

Because we are a local government, we are able to purchase directly from many of the state and federal contracts. However, in order to not discriminate against our local proposers, we openly solicit proposals of similar pricing structure from all qualified proposers. In the event that all proposals received are in excess of any existing state or federal contract that is available to Outagamie County, we may at our discretion, reject all proposals, and purchase directly from the vendor awarded the state or federal government contract. Outagamie County reserves the right to accept or reject, any or all proposals, in whole or in part, as deemed in the best interest of the County.

a. This proposal request does not commit Outagamie County to make an award or to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal in response to this request.

b. The proposals will become part of Outagamie County's files without any obligation on Outagamie County's part.

c. The proposer shall not offer any gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value to any official or employee of Outagamie County for any purpose.

d. Outagamie County reserves the right to request clarifications for any proposal.

9. Closing Date

Proposals will be received up to 10:00 am August 22, 2024.

10. Proposal Submittal

Email proposals to Nicole.Schoultz@outagamie.org.

http://www.outagamie.org/ mailto:Nicole.Schoultz@outagamie.org

11. Taxes

Outagamie County is exempt from Federal Excise Tax (39-6005724), Wisconsin Sales Tax (ES 41005), but if there is a tax, such as local or county, it must be shown in the proposal.

12. Method of Procurement

The method for this procurement is competitive proposal, pursuant to Chapter 22 of the Outagamie County Code of Ordinances. After submission of the written proposal, qualified proposers may be requested to make an oral presentation to a committee responsible for making final recommendations. The process allows for confidential negotiations and revisions.

13. Venue

This agreement will be governed and construed according to the laws of the State of Wisconsin.

This agreement is performable in Outagamie County.

14. Status of Proposal

Upon award, proposals will be considered public record and details will be posted online.

Information on status could be obtained from Outagamie County’s web site www.outagamie.org Bids & Proposals.