IND Airport Seeks Artist for Fence Artwork

Indy Arts Council (formerly Arts Council of Indianapolis), in partnership with the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA), invites artists to provide their qualifications and statements of interest in creating an artwork on a newly-installed, 14,000-square-foot fence adjacent to the approach road to Indianapolis International Airport (IND). This artwork will serve to welcome people who are driving out to the airport, and will remain installed for up to four years.

Please note that NO DESIGNS are required as part of the application process.

COMPENSATION: $18,000 for design and installation (materials provided by airport)

ELIGIBILITY: Indiana artists over 18 who are legally allowed to work in the U.S.; preference for artists living in Marion and adjacent counties

DEADLINE: Sunday, February 20, 2022 11:59 p.m. (upload)

Please see attached full RFQ for complete information and application tips.

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

Capital improvements at IND have necessitated the temporary construction of a large concrete plant, which will remain operational for up to four years. A chain-link fence, approximately 10 ft. high and about 1,400 feet long (14,000 s.f.), has been installed to help screen the plant from public view and will remain in place for the duration of plant operations.

An artist is sought to design and install an artwork on this fence to further screen the concrete plant, using the product known as “Put-In-Cups.” (https://www.putincups.com/) This is a snap-in plastic unit available in multiple colors, typically used on school fences for athletic spirit displays but which is equally accessible to professional artists for creating one-of-a-kind original artwork. The material was selected by the IAA for its long-term durability given the exposure of the site to wind and weather, and for easy maintenance by the airport. This project would be the largest art installation ever created using the product.

The artwork is intended to provide an aesthetic encounter as people drive along the approach road from I-70 and proceed to the airport terminal. As the air gateway to the region, IND prides itself on its ability to share the best of central Indiana through arts, culture, food, and retail experiences, and anticipates that this project will reflect the care taken for offerings within the terminal building itself. For many travelers, this artwork will be the first one they encounter on the airport campus and sets the expectation for the quality of artwork they can expect to see within the airport terminal itself.

Please note that NO DESIGNS are required as part of the application process.

VIEW THE RECORDED APPLICATION WORKSHOP HERE.

TIMELINE

• Release Request for Qualifications: January 12, 2022
• Applications due: Sunday, February 20, 2022 11:59 p.m. 
  • This is an upload deadline, not a postmark deadline!
  • We are available right up until the deadline for assistance on your application: call Julia Moore, 317-624-2556 if you have questions
  • If you cannot apply online: contact jmoore@indyarts.org or call 317-624-2556 IN ADVANCE to talk about alternative ways to indicate your interest and provide examples of your past work
  • Regardless of method, all applications are due on February 20!
• Application review and artist selection: February 21-March 11, 2022
• Artist notification and contracting:  March 14-31, 2022
• Final completion:  no later than June 30, 2022

COMPENSATION

The selected artist/team will receive compensation of $18,000: $5,000 as a design/project administration fee and $13,000 for installation, which may be done personally by the artist/team and/or using subcontracted assistance as preferred.  The approximate material cost of $77,000 will be purchased and managed by the Airport team directly with the product vendor.

The artist/team will be required to hold $5M in insurance for the duration of on-site work, as will their hired installation assistant(s). If the artist is not personally working onsite and chooses to subcontract installation, the subcontracted installer will need to provide evidence of $5M insurance. Indy Arts Council can help you find a resource for the required insurance.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed by a racially diverse selection committee that includes curators, arts administrators, artists, IAA staff, and other community stakeholders including Indy Arts Council staff. One artist/team will be selected and commissioned to create the work. If appropriate, the committee may identify up to three finalists to create design concepts as part of the selection process: this design work will be compensated.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Artists’ applications will be reviewed with the following in mind:

• Does the artist/team have a record of thoughtful and innovative designs and concepts?
• Does the artist/team’s style lend itself well to translation into the required material?
• Does the artist/team typically display excellent craftsmanship in their work?
• Has the artist/team worked with the Put-in-Cups material before?
  • If not, does their previous work reveal the ability to quickly acquire the skill needed to be successful with this material?
• Does the artist/team complete commissioned projects on time and on budget?
• Is the artist/team an effective collaborator and communicator?
• Would the selection of the artist/team be consistent with the values and priorities of the IND art program?

HOW TO APPLY

Eligible artists should apply online using this form. The form is accessible via a smartphone or tablet as well as a traditional computer.

• Applications are due Sunday, February 20, at 11:59 p.m.
• Having difficulty with the form? Contact Julia Moore, jmoore@indyarts.org or 317-624-2556 (forwards to cell phone after business hours) up until the deadline.
• Can’t apply online? Contact Julia Moore, jmoore@indyarts.org or 317-624-2556 to discuss alternative ways for us to become familiar with your work.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

1. Artist/Team contact information (current and reliable)
2. Information about your experience as an artist: can be an attached resume, but can be text typed or copied into the form
3. Up to 10 images of your past work, selected to provide a good idea of what you might do for this project
4. OPTIONAL: Answer some demographic questions to help us ensure an equitable application process

You will be able to start your application, save it, and come back to finish if you need to make changes before uploading it. We recommend waiting to attach your images until you're ready to upload: any attachments will disappear from saved applications!

QUESTIONS?

• Contact Julia Moore, jmoore@indyarts.org or (317) 624-2556 with any additional questions
• VIEW THE RECORDED APPLICATION WORKSHOP HERE.