City of Kettering Seeks Artwork for New Bridge

City of Kettering Seeks Artwork for New Bridge

Website: http://www.playkettering.org/cultural-arts/public-art-in-kettering/citysites/in-progress-opportunities/

 937-296-0294

 Kettering, OH, Unknown

The City of Kettering’s CitySites Public Art Program invites artists, artist teams, designers or architects to submit qualifications for a permanent work of art to be located at and around the Schantz Avenue Bridge and the corresponding South Dixie Highway corridor. The artwork should be a signature piece for the Kettering community and enhance the experience of transit riders and residents of this neighborhood.

Budget: $250,000, inclusive of all costs associated with the project, including but not limited to: artist expenses, administration, sub-consultants, travel/lodging, artwork fabrication (including materials, details and specifications), storage, transportation and installation, related permits, licenses, taxes and insurance. Any expenses that exceed the contracted amount will be the artist’s responsibility.

Deadline: 03/31/2017 5:00 PM Central Time

Eligibility
Artists and/or artist teams must have previously created public art, large-scale works, or exterior projects. The artist must have completed at least two permanent public artworks with budgets of at least $50,000. The artist must carry personal liability insurance for the duration of the project and be willing to meet all contractual obligations.

Project Description
The CitySites Public Art Program is seeking an artist or artist team with experience creating a site-specific art installation that integrates into a suburban environment and a transit corridor. The artwork should utilize enduring materials that can withstand a dynamic streetscape with substantial vehicular traffic and minimal pedestrian traffic, exposure to vehicular pollution and can be easily cleaned and maintained in the event of graffiti or other defacing. The Committee is seeking artistic excellence and innovation in past artwork, especially examples in similar settings.

Artwork Location Description
The City of Kettering is replacing the existing Schantz Avenue Bridge over South Dixie Highway, with construction planned for 2019. South Dixie Highway is a major arterial carrying approximately 19,500 vehicles per day and has no pedestrian access. The northbound side of South Dixie Highway, which travels under the Schantz Avenue Bridge, is a two-lane, one-way thoroughfare, with a significant retaining wall that separates it from the south-bound traffic at a higher elevation. The textured concrete wall spans over 968’ in length, and ranges from 4-1/2’ to almost 19’ in height.

Schantz Avenue is a minor arterial, carrying approximately 3,000 vehicles per day and limited pedestrian usage with sidewalks on both sides. The existing structure, constructed in 1943, is a single span concrete slab bridge with reinforced wall abutments. The replacement will include the pavement, deck, beams, abutments, footings, wing walls, parapet, and have a span of about 31′ and width of about 70′.

Artwork Goals
The goals of integrating art into the bridge replacement project and surrounding area include:

  • The artwork should be highly visible both day and night.
  • The artwork should be a signature piece for the Kettering community and enhance the experience of transit riders and
  • residents of this neighborhood.
  • The artwork should relate to the surrounding environment, including neighboring landmarks such as Dayton History.
  • The artwork must be properly scaled to surroundings.
  • The materials used must be able to withstand extreme weather and heavy traffic.
  • The artwork should appeal to a mass audience.
  • The artwork should be structurally sound and require low upkeep and minimal maintenance costs.

 

Selection Process
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts staff will review the RFQ submissions and work with an Artist Selection Committee, including members of the Art in Public Places Committee and local stakeholders, to select semi-finalists.

The Committee will select up to five (5) semi-finalist artists or artist teams for a site visit, interviews, and artwork proposal development. Semi-finalists will be paid an honorarium of $2,500 to develop and present site specific proposals over the two visits. This honorarium will cover all proposal expenses. Travel, lodging and per diem will be arranged with the City of Kettering.

Semi-finalists will tour the site and meet with representatives from the City of Kettering, Art in Public Places Committee and the Artist Selection Committee. The site visit will be an opportunity for semi-finalists to ask questions to inform the artwork proposal.

Semi-finalists will return to the City of Kettering approximately 6 weeks after the first site visit. Each semifinalist artist or artist team will individually present their artwork proposal to the Artist Selection Committee, City of Kettering representatives and at a community meeting.

The Art in Public Places Committee will review the concept proposals for final selection of an artist. Upon final selection, the City of Kettering will provide a contract to the artist. The artist will work with relevant City of Kettering staff to meet the deadlines for installation. The artist will be present to assist and supervise the installation of the artwork after completing its fabrication.

Selection Criteria
The following is the evaluation criteria to be used by the Artwork Selection Committee.

  • Artistic Excellence: The aesthetic significance and quality of the artwork, including the artworks transformative and distinctive qualities.
  • Context: Artwork’s appropriateness to surrounding architecture, topography, local history, and community attitudes and concerns of both the City of Kettering and the surrounding community, as gathered in Site Visit 1.
  • Durability, Safety and Permanence: The artwork is resistant to weathering and high vehicular traffic as well as structural sustainable. The artwork must be examined for unsafe conditions, materials, or factors, as well as the potential for excessive maintenance.
  • Technical Feasibility: The artist must provide convincing evidence of his or her ability to complete the artwork as proposed.
    Past Performance: The Review Committee will consider the artist’s performance under previous contracts including success in meeting established timelines and budgets.
  • Cost Feasibility: The Committee will consider the cost feasibility and determine if the project is realistic within the specified project budget

 

Timeline
(all dates are subject to change)

  • RFQ Posted: January 31, 2017
  • RFQ Application Deadline: March 31, 2017
  • Artist Selection Committee selects semi-finalists: April 2017
  • Semi-finalists Notification and Invitation to Submit a Proposal: May 2017
  • Site Visit 1 – Artist Meetings and Tour: June – July 2017
  • Deadline for Semi-finalist Questions: July 31, 2017
  • Deadline for Responses to Semi-finalist Questions: August 15, 2017
  • Site Visit 2 – Artists Proposal Presentations: August – September 2017
  • Selection Committee Review & Selection, Contract: October 2017
  • Commission Award Announced: November 2017
  • Artwork Development: November 2017 – June 2018
  • Artwork Fabrication: June 2018 – 2019
  • Anticipated Artwork Installation / Bridge Construction: April – December 2019
  • Artwork Completion: December 2019

 

How to Apply

Download the full RFQ in PDF format to view complete project information and application instructions.

Please apply here.  Application is through the CODAWorx system and is free of charge.  For a more robust application, create a CODAWorx account (there is a membership charge) and link your full profile to the application form.  CODAworx is a global online platform to showcase design projects that feature commissioned artwork in interior, architectural, and public spaces. Questions about CODAWorx membership may be addressed to Stefanie O’Keefe, stefanie@codaworx.com or by calling the CODAworx office, (608) 467-3040.

QUESTIONS?  Contact Shayna McConville, Division Manager of Cultural Arts, shayna.mcconville@ketteringoh.org or 937-296-0294
.