Texas State University Seeks Outdoor Public Art for Events Center

Posted by Texas State University ; Posted on 
Public Art; Visual - DEADLINE :  
Texas State University Seeks Outdoor Public Art for Events Center
    Email
/
    Website
/

   

   

Texas State University invites professional artists or artist teams to submit qualifications to design and fabricate an exterior public sculpture on its San Marcos, TX campus. The site is an expansion of the University Events Center.

Budget: $267,350. The artist’s budget covers all project-related costs including but not limited to: design, labor, fabrication, project management, materials, tools, subcontracted services, stamped engineering drawings for the foundation, lighting solutions, travel to complete the artwork, transportation and delivery of the artwork to site, installation, heavy machinery rental, storage, related permits, licenses, insurance, and documentation of the completed project. The actual foundation production for the sculpture will be provided by the University. Any expense that exceeds the contracted amount will be the artist’s responsibility. As part of the contract, the artist will visit the campus after installation to attend a reception to recognize the new artwork and to take part in a formal discussion with students about the artwork.

Eligibility
This public art commission is open to all professional artists or artist teams with experience in similar such projects. A professional artist is defined as a skilled practitioner in the arts with an original self-conceptualized body of work, generally recognized by critics and peers as a professional possessing serious intent and ability. Texas State University especially encourages submissions by women, artists of color, and artists from Texas.

Artwork Location Description
The University Events Center is the primary location for Commencement and Convocation services for Texas State University as well as Athletic events and other uses as scheduled by the Health and Human Performance Department; the Athletics Department; Campus Recreation; the Band; the Strutters; Continuing Education; and others. The facility also serves the San Marcos community at large, providing a venue for high school graduation ceremonies. The building faces Charles Austin St to the east.

Texas State University is built into the hills above San Marcos, TX. It is characterized by the expansive use of brick, stone and dozens of buildings joined together by stairways, ramps, and terraces. The campus also includes the headwaters of the stunningly clear and cold spring fed San Marcos River. The area’s visually striking geology and ecology are unique to this part of Texas. The river is located mere steps from the University Events Center.

Project Description
This artwork will be located within the area of the Plaza located near the entrance of the University Events Center where students and families will enter for convocation and commencement ceremonies, University athletic events, and other special events. The artist will work with the project design team, project stakeholders, and art consultant to conceptualize the project, including determining the location for the sculpture or sculptures and preparation of the site, e.g. structural, foundation, and lighting.  Art + Artisans Consulting is handling the call for qualifications and will manage the design collaboration up through installation of the sculpture.

Artwork will be harmonious with natural, geological, ecological surroundings, as well as the diverse cultures at home at Texas State University. Artwork must be suitable for outdoor weather conditions as well as interaction with the general public. The location is outdoors and exposed to the elements as well as highly visible. The work should be prominent and proportional to its surroundings.

Artwork Goals
Texas State University is a public, student-centered, emerging research university dedicated to excellence in serving the educational needs of a diverse population of Texas and the world beyond.  The Public Art Committee goals as previously established are:

1.  Meet the needs of the students, faculty, staff and community
2.  Reflect a quality that will stimulate and engage students
3.  Reflect a quality that will enhance the prestige of the University to the external art community
4.  Reflect a quality that will enhance the prestige of the University, making it an arts destination
5.  Allow faculty to use artwork as an example of exceptional public art
6.  Be durable, sustainable, and easy to maintain

Selection Process
Submissions by applicants will be reviewed by Art + Artisans Consulting to ensure that each application is legible, complete and meets all requirements. The pool will then be reviewed by the Texas State University Public Art committee who will select two or three artists (shortlist) to invite to submit proposals for a work of art to be incorporated into the design of the new building project. Invited applicants will be paid a stipend of $1,500 to develop and present a formal proposal to the Public Art committee. The stipend covers the costs of the artist’s time, materials, and travel expenses.

Timeline

  • RFQ released: Jan 2, 2017
  • Questions accepted: through Jan 15, 2017
  • Deadline for submission: Feb 15, 2017
  • Shortlist Notification: March 2017
  • Site Specific Proposal presentations/interviews: April 2017
  • Awarded Artist notified: June 2017
  • Installation: On or before July 31, 2018
  • Reception and artist talk: TBD

 

Selection Criteria
Artwork will be selected based on the following criteria:
•  Artist merit and technical expertise
•  Demonstrated successful, innovative, and effective approach to public art projects of a similar scope
•  Ability to successfully execute a public art project in a culturally rich and complex area
•  Express interest in creating artwork for the opportunities presented by this request for qualifications

Application Requirements

•  Resume (4 pages max)
•  Statement of Interest (1000 word max)
•  Artist statement (500 word max)
•  Image list: title, media, year completed, dimensions and retail or commission price for each corresponding image selected from your portfolio
•  Work examples (8 max): JPEGs accepted up to 5MB with minimum 1920 pixels longest side; Video accepted in 3GP, WVM, AVI, MOV, ASP, MPG, MP4, M2T, MKV, M2TS formats up to 100MG with a minimum resolution of 640x480; minimum 12fps
•  References: 3

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through www.publicartist.org.   No email or mailed applications will be accepted.

QUESTIONS?  Contact Marjorie Flanagan, marjorie@artplusartisans.com