PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The City of Huntingburg has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for an artist or artist team to design and implement a new public mural in Huntingburg, Indiana. The artwork will be part of a larger master plan for an alley activation project designed by LAA Office and will be located adjacent to the recently renovated 4th Street corridor, which serves as the town’s historic commercial thoroughfare with many local businesses and restaurants. Design and planning for this project have been funded by Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement.
OBJECTIVES
BUDGET
Total project budget is not to exceed $20,000, which must include all design/artist fees, travel, lodging, materials, rentals and any necessary priming or prepping of wall surface to install the finished artwork. The client (City of Huntingburg) will not be responsible for any additional charges or fees incurred beyond the established project budget of $20,000, which will be stipulated in the artist contract once selected. Payment will be issued in two lump sums: an initial payment of 50% will be issued within 30 days of contract signing and the remaining 50% upon completion of the project.
TIMELINE
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
SELECTION CRITERIA AND PROCESS
Upon final selection, the artist or artist team will be required to meet with community stakeholders and sign a contract before receiving their first payment. Key dates for presenting artwork concepts, as well as a schedule for implementation, will be determined in collaboration with community stakeholders and LAA Office.
ABOUT HUNTINGBURG, INDIANA AND THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER TEAM
Huntingburg is a charming community known for its historic downtown district and 4th Street that includes a number of quaint specialty shops and unique dining establishments. There are a variety of community events that take place throughout the year, making Huntingburg an ideal weekend destination. A recipient of the State of Indiana’s “Stellar Communities” designation, and the only city in the world with the name “Huntingburg,” it is truly “A City Like No Other!” Stakeholders for the project include representatives from the City of Huntingburg, including Mayor Steve Schwinghamer and Rachel Steckler (head of Community Development), as well as local business leaders from the OFS furniture company, members of the local merchants association, and Destination Huntingburg.
ABOUT THE ALLEY ACTIVATION DESIGN
In the spring of 2020, Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement and the ServeDesign Center at the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture, and Design launched a grant program aimed at enhancing the quality of place in rural Indiana. One outcome of this program was the Huntingburg Alley Activation, which explores the potential to increase pedestrian thoroughfares and gathering spaces in the city’s landmarked downtown neighborhood. Implementation funding has recently been granted by Regional Opportunities Initiatives (ROI) and the project will be realized in phases over an 8-month period beginning in 2023. Master planning and design development has been led by LAA Office, a multi-disciplinary design studio based in Columbus, Indiana. They will continue to oversee the project and will work directly with the selected artist or artist team to ensure that the mural integrates well with the proposed pocket park and surrounding context. The exact site for the new mural will be determined after the artists or artist teams have been shortlisted.
COVID-19 POLICY
Health and safety are a top priority for the community, organizations, and the selected artist/artist team. As Huntingburg closely monitors the COVID-19 pandemic, project implementation dates are subject to change. During project implementation, the parties involved will follow local, state and national guidance related to in-person meetings, travel, and public gatherings, taking precautionary measures and using physical distancing and virtual communication when possible.
All submissions should be emailed directly to Jess Novitski (jess@laaoffice.com) no later than April 14th, 2013.
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