Artwork Sought for Seattle Public Park

The First Hill Improvement Association (FHIA) seeks an artist to create public art for First Hill Park, a Seattle Parks Department neighborhood park that is undergoing improvements. Artwork will respond to the unique 1910 story of two bear cubs which were raised as pets at the Stimson Green Mansion next door (Wildlife in First Hill: http://www.historylink.org/File/2715). The selected artist or team will collaborate with the park design team led by the landscape architecture firm Site Workshop, and the project will be reviewed by the Seattle Department of Parks for long-term maintenance.

Budget: $100,000 ($25,000 for design and $75,000 for implementation)
Eligibility: Professional visual artists
Deadline: 11/16/2018 5:00 PM Central Time

Please review complete RFQ here.

SITE DESCRIPTION 

First Hill Park is located at Minor Avenue and University Street. The desired location for artwork within the proposed design is the northeast corner of the plaza with the possible option for an integrated element that encircles the two planted areas.

ABOUT FHIA

First Hill Improvement Association is the neighborhood association of First Hill in Seattle, Washington. FHIA employs two staff persons with expertise in urban planning and is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation with a Board of 14 members. Local residents, medical center representatives, and business owners are elected by the membership to serve on the Board. The purposes and goals of FHIA are to advocate for the neighborhood on issues of Urban Design and Public Space, Transportation, Safety & Cleanliness, and Economic Sustainability. Activities include negotiating with developers and the City regarding pedestrian friendly urban design of private and public buildings and spaces, creative use of public right of way, equitable transit and transportation, and communicating with the neighborhood via website, social media, e-newsletter, and public meetings. Activation of public spaces, community clean ups, and advocating for homeless neighbors are among FHIA activities whose mission is to make First Hill a welcoming, attractive place for all.

TIMELINE 

• Application Deadline: November 16, 2018
• Selection Panel Meeting: November 20, 2018
• Finalist Notification: November 21, 2018
• Finalist Interviews**: November 27, 2018
• Artist Contract Issued:  December 4, 2018
• Design Development Complete: January 15, 2019
• Final Design Complete: January 30, 2019
• Artwork Installation: TBD

Schedules are subject to change.
** Applicants are expected to hold this date in order to participate in an interview if selected as a finalist.

SELECTION PROCESS

A selection panel will oversee the selection process. The panel members represent a diversity of ages and backgrounds, and comprise representatives from the First Hill Improvement Association, Project Design Team, Seattle Parks, and residents with a meaningful connection to First Hill. The panel will review all applications received, identify finalists for interview, and select an artist for the job on the basis of interview. The panel reserves the right to make no selection from the submitted applications and interviews. All finalists are expected to attend an Interview on November 27, 2018.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Finalists will be selected based foremost on the following criteria:

• Quality and strength of past work as demonstrated in submitted application;
• Ability to consider a site and create art specific to it, and an expressed interest to develop art that connects with First Hill’s neighborhood history and current context and creates a playful feature;
• Experience with exterior grade materials and/or suggestion of how portfolio work may be translated into materials suitable for an exterior site;
• Able to begin design work in December 2018 and install artwork by June of 2019.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants must submit the following information:

1. PROFILE — Artist contact information.
2. RESUME —Two-page (maximum) current professional résumé. Artist teams should include two-page resumes for all members as one document. PDF format only.
3. STATEMENT OF INTEREST — 500 words (or less) that explain your interest in this project, how your approach and past work is relevant to the above noted selection criteria.
4. WORK SAMPLES — Submit up to 10 total work samples. Samples in excess of 10 will not be reviewed. Please submit samples in PDF format, not to exceed 10 MB. You are encouraged to submit samples of past work that best illustrate your qualifications for this project. The title of the artwork/project name, completion date, medium and dimensions are required fields. Please provide a brief description (75 words or less) for each work sample. Completion of optional fields for project location, commissioning agency, budget, project partners, photo credit, and copyright owner are encouraged.

HOW TO SUBMIT

Submit all required materials no later than 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) on NOVEMBER 16TH via email to INFO@FIRSTHILL.ORG

QUESTIONS?  Questions may be directed to FHIA Executive Director Anne McCullough at info@firsthill.org