DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS IS FEB 14, 2020 AT 5 PM
Overview
As part of a Maine Arts Commission Creative Communities = Economic Development (CCED) grant to support the implementation of Cultural Plan LA, the Public Art Working Group of Lewiston and Auburn invites proposals for public artwork that will activate a gateway or key corridor within the community. Both new and existing works are eligible. The artwork may be temporary or permanent. The submission deadline is 5:00 pm on Friday, February 14, 2020. One work (or works) will be selected for installation in the City of Lewiston and another for installation in the City of Auburn. Each project has a $25,000 budget. Projects may be installed as early as May of 2020 and as late as August of 2021.
Background
The CCED grant was awarded to the LA Metro Chamber of Commerce and L/A Arts in 2018 to support implementation of Cultural Plan LA. Specifically, grant funding was awarded to “utilize arts and culture to enhance LA’s image to attract residents, tourism, and new investment” and to “further the position of arts and culture in local government.” Among other strategies for achieving these goals, two works of public art will be installed, one in each city, to generate interest in and support for public art as a community-builder and driver of economic development.
Budget
Project budgets of up to $25,000 per project will be considered. A budget proposal must cover all design, fabrication, transportation, documentation, insurance, and installation expenses. The Commissioned Artist(s) will be required to provide evidence of appropriate liability, property damage, and workers compensation insurance while working on the site.
Project Intent and Location
The artwork will be a signature work designed to engage the public and activate one of the City’s gateways or key corridors. This might be an entrance into the downtown or another neighborhood; a strategic location within a current or emerging economic development corridor; or a strategic location along or within the river or a canal. The location will be publicly-owned or controlled. The City of Auburn especially welcomes proposals that would activate Anniversary Park in New Auburn. Questions regarding the viability of a proposed site may be submitted to publicartmaine@gmail.com.
Eligibility
Maine-based artists age 18 and over, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender identity, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical disability may apply. Artist teams are eligible to apply, including teams of artists from multiple disciplines.
Selection Criteria
An initial proposal that reflects Project Intent as described in this document, with attention to the question of how the proposed artwork will activate or enhance the proposed space and how it will engage diverse audiences, including the local community, visitors, and tourists.
A body of work reflecting artistic excellence as shown through vision, originality, and understanding of craft.
Experience working in public settings and public process.
Experience fabricating and installing artwork suitable for the outdoor environment in Maine.
Capacity to complete the proposal on time and within budget.
Selection Process
A Selection Review Committee (SRC) will evaluate submissions for the project. The SRC will review the materials to determine whom to invite for a second round of evaluation. Artists selected for the second round will receive a $500 design fee for refining their proposals. Final proposals will include detailed models, drawings, renderings, samples of work, and/or materials depending on the nature of the proposal. Please do not submit detailed models, drawings, samples, or final proposals for the first round of the selection process. The SRC reserves the right to solicit additional information from the artist(s) and to refuse any or all proposals. The final recommended proposal will be subject to review and approval of the respective City Council.
Submission Deadline and Required Materials
Friday, February 14, 2020, 5:00 pm is the deadline for submission of materials. Materials received after this date may be excluded from consideration.
Materials must be submitted online in PDF format. All images must be in a jpg or PDF format and sent via email to publicartmaine@gmail.com.
Proposals must include:
A current resume for participating artist(s) (2 pages maximum). If submitting as a team, an individual resume should be submitted for each team member.
A brief written proposal (2 pages maximum) describing your past work and how you plan to address the potential site. Discuss what your concept and approach will be in addressing the public art space(s) of the site, including environmental and weather conditions. Please do not submit detailed models, samples, or final proposals for this round of the selection process. A simple sketch may be included to clarify your idea if desired.
An itemized budget estimate to give cost expectations (include design fees as well as anticipated fabrication, transportation and installation costs). A more precise budget may be requested for those invited past the first round.
A brief anticipated maintenance plan required for the artwork. Please do not include this in the narrative of your proposal.
5-10 digital images of at least three recent works. If an artist team or artist organization applies, they may only submit five images for all artists. The optional proposal sketch does not count as an image. (Please include any sketches with the narrative portion of the proposal.) Do not upload A/V files of any kind. Only jpg or PDF files are eligible for review.
Optional: Each artist may include up to three selections of support materials such as reviews, news articles, web links, and other related information.