El Paso Seeks Artist for Road Reconstruction Project

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 for the Schuster Avenue Reconstruction Project. Art opportunities may include all items listed in the scope of work. Materials selected must be appropriate for a high-use environment, weather resistant, and low maintenance.

Budget: $200,000
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 Schuster Avenue Reconstruction Project 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 Schuster Avenue Reconstruction Project will extend from Prospect Street to Campbell Street, consisting of a full street reconstruction of Schuster Avenue to address the following components:

• New roadway pavement structure with two travel lanes with center turning lane or median with left turn bays
• Roadway striping and signage
• Bicycle facility, protected lane with physical barrier, including striping, green paint, and signage
• Bicycle signal head installation for bicycle facility
• Bicycle signal detection and actuation
• Sidewalks, driveways, ramps, curb and gutter
• Stamped concrete crosswalks
• Parkway improvements, to include street trees and landscaping
• Drainage system (if necessary)
• Lighting - Dark sky compliant decorative lighting fixtures

Vision

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
4. neighborhood associations.
5. Prepare verbal, written and visual presentations to show schematic and final artwork proposal(s) to stakeholders
6. Preparation of construction documents
7. Fabrication and installation of artwork

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. Review of final design proposals by PAC, stakeholders, and MCAD, prior to final approval.

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.

Timeline

• Artist Selection Panel Review: October 1
• Public Art Committee review: October 9
• Notification to Selected Artist: October 10

How to Apply

All artists will be asked to provide an artist statement, previous work examples, resume, and letter of interest.
Submit information ONLY through this link:  https://www.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=5803