The new Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP) is seeking artists' qualifications for a new work of public art for the interior lobby of the museum.
BUDGET: $250,000
ELIGIBILITY: (none specified)
DEADLINE: March 16, 2020 11:59 p.m. CDT
Download full RFQ and view project images here.
Overview and Project Description
The new OKPOP museum will be built and managed by the Oklahoma Historical Society and located in the Tulsa Arts District. The museum will be dedicated to the incredible history and creativity of Oklahoma’s people and the influence of those artists on popular culture around the world. The underlying theme of the museum will be “Crossroads of Creativity” and stories will include music, movies, radio, television, pop art, literature, theater, comics, humor, and Route 66.
The museum will be located across the street from the historic Cain’s Ballroom, known to many as “the home of Bob Wills.” The ground floor of OKPOP will include the display of Bob Wills’ 1948 Flxible Clipper tour bus. The color gold is featured prominently in the museum’s design, influenced by the gold custom-made Fender Stratocaster famously presented in 1954 to Eldon Shamblin, guitarist for Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys.
OKPOP offers a significant opportunity for dynamic and visually impactful artwork. The area of interest for the public art is the interior lobby entrance space. The architectural concept for the design of the museum is “grit and glitz.” The grit of the concrete and steel contrasts with the glitz of the illuminated metal panels. The grit connects with the Oklahoma work ethic, as evidenced by the state motto, “Labor conquers all.” The glitz speaks to the excitement associated with Oklahoma’s creatives and their impact on popular culture. The committee is interested in engaging and interactive artwork that is contemporary and relevant to the overarching themes of the museum.
Timeline
Once selected, the artist will work with the project design team to finalize plans and determine the timeline for installation of the artwork. Construction of OKPOP began Fall 2019, with plans to open Summer 2021.
Selection Process
RFQ applications will be reviewed and scored by the Director of Art in Public Places to identify the short list of qualified artists to be considered for the project. The list of qualified artists will be presented to the Public Art Selection Committee for OKPOP, consisting of one representative of OKPOP, the Director of Art in Public Places, the project architect, one artist, one arts professional, one art educator, and twelve community representatives. The Committee will identify approximately 5-10 finalists who will be invited to develop conceptual site-specific proposals after attending a mandatory orientation session with the project team and key stakeholders.
Each finalist will be paid an honorarium of $1,000 for the development and in-person presentation of a conceptual design proposal. Artists residing greater than 60 miles from OKPOP are eligible to receive up to $1,000 total towards the reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses, approved by the Oklahoma Arts Council prior to travel arrangements being made for the orientation session and panel interview. Receipts will be required for travel expenses to be considered. The Public Art Selection Committee will submit rankings of finalist proposals and recommendation for approval to the Art in Public Places Oversight Committee.
Selection Criteria
The Oklahoma Art in Public Places Program is open to all artists regardless of age, race, class, national origin, creed, gender, gender variance, religious affiliation, physical or mental ability.
What to Submit
Application materials include:
How to Submit
Applications must be submitted through the Oklahoma Arts Council website. Please be sure to allow adequate time to submit your application as technical difficulties can occur. Applications that are mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered will not be considered. Applications will not be accepted after the March 16, 2020, 11:59 p.m. (CDT) deadline.
QUESTIONS? Contact Jarica Walsh, Director of Art in Public Places, at jarica.walsh@arts.ok.gov or (405) 521-2030.