Charlotte Convention Center Seeks Public Art for Pedestrian Bridge

The Arts & Science Council is accepting qualifications from artists/artist teams for a public art opportunity at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte North Carolina.  The selected artist will work with ASC, the City of Charlotte’s Engineering and Property Management Department, TVS Design, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), and local communities to create an impactful artwork that responds to the parameters of the site, the aesthetics of the architecture, and the overall character of Uptown Charlotte. The artwork should address the perspective of both Convention Center visitors and the larger, exterior perspective of motorists and pedestrians through innovative and engaging design.

Budget: $561,000
Eligibility: U.S. professional artists (additional eligibility requirements are discussed below)
Deadline: 06/01/2018 11:59 PM Central Time

Complete Request for Qualifications information and application instructions available here.  Apply at https://asc.slideroom.com

Site History
Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte just 7 miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the Charlotte Convention Center is the city’s premier meeting and convention space. The 550,000-square-foot Charlotte Convention Center is located across the street from the 700-room Westin Hotel and is also connected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame via an overstreet walkway. The facility offers a full-service, in-house food and beverage department, visitor information services, a gift shop, a preferred in-house A/V provider with complete inventory of equipment and professional technicians, and more.
More info at: http://www.charlotteconventionctr.com/

Project Site
The proposed pedestrian bridge has been identified as the artwork site. This new pedestrian bridge is separate, but adjacent to the existing Charlotte Lynx Light Rail Bridge, and provides a direct connection from the Stonewall Station light rail stop to the Charlotte Convention Center. The proposed pedestrian bridge will provide shaded gathering space on either side of the light rail, connection to the Westin Hotel, and street level access via stairs culminating in an architectural pavilion.

Project Description
Specific opportunities for artwork integration include, but are not limited to:

• the “framed pavilion” pedestrian plaza feature as part of the pedestrian bridge
• lighting elements
• paving elements on the pedestrian bridge
• edge panels on both sides of the pedestrian bridge

The selected artist or artist team will be responsible for creating fully integrated features that are aesthetically innovative, transforming the Charlotte Convention Center’s proposed pedestrian bridge into an artistic landmark of Uptown Charlotte. All elements within the pedestrian bridge should serve a cohesive aesthetic while supporting the increased functionality of the pedestrian bridge. The pedestrian bridge and its elements create a strong visual gateway experience. Direct coordination with the City-CRVA-TVS team is required.

Artwork Goals
This opportunity should achieve a cohesive and unique aesthetic experience that is sensitive to the architecture of the Charlotte Convention Center.  The artwork should:

• Be innovative, integrated, and creatively engaging with viewers and users of the proposed pedestrian bridge
• Support the utilitarian function of the proposed pedestrian bridge and the safe mobility of users
• Constructed of durable materials and should be permanent in nature with a lifespan of 25+ years

Eligibility
This call is open to all professional, practicing U.S. artists. Artists who have received a commission or purchase for over $25,000 from the Arts & Science Council cannot be considered for another commission or purchase for 3 years after the date of a signed contract or letter of agreement. ASC staff, County or City staff, Public Art Commission members and their immediate families, are not eligible to apply for this project. Additional eligibility requirements are:

• Professional artists who have experience managing, designing and completing public art project commissions over $250,000 within the past ten (10) years
• Architects interested in applying must have successfully completed at least three (3) public art projects (that are distinguished from infrastructure design) within the last five (5) years to be considered eligible to participate in this opportunity. Eligibility must be demonstrated in the application materials submitted.

Selection Process
This solicitation process enables the Public Art Commission to identify the most highly qualified artist(s) for this opportunity. An artist selection panel of local and national arts professionals and community stakeholders appointed by the Public Art Commission will review eligible artists’ applications, determine a shortlist of finalists, interview three finalists, and select one artist or team of artists. The selected artist or team of artists will be recommended to the Public Art Commission and the Board of the Arts & Science Council for final approval and to enter into contractual agreement for this project.

Selection Criteria
The artist will be selected based on the following criteria, as evidenced in application materials and conversations with listed references: artistic merit in concept and fabrication; experience incorporating artwork into the architectural elements of a construction project; demonstrated ability to collaborate in the early phases of a project with design teams and community stakeholders; demonstrated ability to complete projects on time and within budget.

Timeline

• April 30, 2018 - Call for Artist Request for Qualifications released
• June 1, 2018 - Artist application submission deadline
• Early Summer 2018 - Artist selection panel reviews applications and selects 3 finalists
• Mid-Summer 2018 - Artist selection panel interviews finalists and selects one artist/team
• November 2020 - Substantial Completion of Project

Application Requirements

1. Credentials: a Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) demonstrating professional history and skills or experience as a professional artist (maximum two (2) pages). For artist teams, each team member must submit an individual resume (two (2) pages maximum each)
2. Statement of Interest: a brief introductory narrative that also provides insight about your interest in the project (one (1) page maximum)
3. Images: up to eight (8) images or three (3) digital video or movie files limited to two minutes each – of recent work completed within the past ten (10) years
4. Annotation: titles, date, budget, client, media, and dimensions of artwork
5. References: three (3) professional references who can speak to the artist's ability to meet deadlines, work with community, and create innovative work as part of a design team. Include name, organization, phone number, and email.

How to Submit

Applications must be received ONLY via SlideRoom (https://asc.slideroom.com) by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 1, 2018. There is no application fee to apply or to use the SlideRoom online application system.

QUESTIONS?  Contact Todd Stewart, (704) 335-3273 or todd.stewart@artsandscience.org