El Paso Seeks Artist for District 1 Water Park

The City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department Public Art Program seeks to commission a professional artist or artist team to design, fabricate and install site-specific artwork or artworks at the District 1 Neighborhood Water Park in West El Paso. Materials selected must be appropriate for a high-use environment, weather resistant and low maintenance.

Budget: $140,000
Eligibility: (none specified)
Deadline: 09/26/2018 5:00 PM Central Time

Project Description
This public art project will commission an artist(s) to design and develop public art within the District 1 Neighborhood Water Park, developed within the “Tropical” theme boundaries. The project will provide the opportunity for the artist to fully engage with the community in developing the concept and design of the artwork.

Site History
The District 1 Neighborhood Water Park will consist of a one-story 34,000 to 47,000 sf facility that will include:

• Lap pool with climbing wall
• Current channel
• Spray area
• Water slides
• Play structure
• Family pool with zero depth entry
• Baja area
• Concession/kitchen area
• Bathhouse
• Shaded and decked areas
• DJ booth
• Administration area
• Landscaping and irrigation
• Parking areas
• Site lighting and sidewalks

The District 1 Neighborhood Water Park will also offer rental cabanas and nighttime programming. The project will have a “Tropical” theme, a paradise that promises a fantastical journey through the jungle.

Artwork Goals
Public Art in El Paso will:

• Give voice to the City’s creative spirit
• Shape the look and feel of the City
• Define places that anchor the community
• Contribute to El Paso’s evolution as a dynamic urban place

Artist’s Scope of Work

1. Contract with City of El Paso to fulfill the artist’s services
2. Collaborate with City and stakeholders to generate artwork proposal(s)
3. Conduct research, which includes examining the site, reviewing pertinent documents and plans, meeting with City staff, members of community, and neighborhood associations.
4. Prepare verbal, written and visual presentations to show schematic and final artwork proposal(s) to stakeholders
5. Preparation of construction documents
6. Fabrication and installation of artwork

Timeline (subject to change)

• Artist Selection Panel Review: October 2
• Public Art Committee Review: October 9
• Notification to Selected Artist: October 10

Selection Process

This is an open competition.  Applications will be reviewed by an Artist Selection Panel (ASP). The ASP will review all complete, eligible applications received by the deadline shown on the schedule. The Artist Selection Panel (ASP) will select a finalist to proceed in the next phase of the project. A finalist will then be selected and presented to the PAC for approval. The approved finalist will be placed under contract to work closely with the master plan design consultant and to point out potential artwork integration possibilities. The selected finalist will provide design proposals (concept design) for the project for review and approval prior to implementation.

Selection Criteria

• Meets the definition of Artwork.
• Demonstrates artistic merit, including excellence in aesthetic quality, workmanship, innovation and creativity.
• Demonstrates appropriateness in scale and form.
• Meets the project’s goals as outlined in the Individual Project Plan.
• Demonstrates feasibility of construction and installation.
• Demonstrates feasibility in terms of budget, timeline, safety, security, durability, operation, maintenance, conservation, legal and ethical issues.
• Builds the diversity of the City’s public art collection.

How to Apply

All artists will be asked to provide an artist statement, previous work examples, resume, and letter of interest.

Information must be submitted ONLY through this link:  https://www.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=5801