Located in Columbus, Indiana, Propeller is a new maker space and welcoming environment where everyone can create, learn, tinker and be inspired. Their vision is to establish a thriving community by unleashing each member’s creative potential. Propeller is pleased to issue this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for an artist or artist team to design and implement a new public mural on their existing property. The artwork will transform the facade of an industrial building and reinvigorate Propeller’s newly adapted home within the Columbus Air Park. This project is part of a larger master plan completed by LAA Office that aims to activate exterior spaces, improve wayfinding, and enhance the organization’s creative culture and identity. Implementation of this project has been funded through a crowd-sourced Patronicity campaign with matching funds from the Indiana Housing and Community Development.
The Propeller stakeholder team and community have provided the following themes as inspiration for the mural’s content:
AVIATION
Propeller is located within the Columbus Air Park and is directly adjacent to the Columbus Municipal Airport. The buildings that now house Propeller’s maker spaces were once facilities for testing engines and previously formed part of a military aviation campus from 1942-1970.
INNOVATION & EXPERIMENTATION
Propeller has labs for 3D printing, robotics, electronics, metalworking and woodworking. There are also spaces to support start-ups
and public education with a strong focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics).
CREATIVITY
Propeller is home to a creative community, including artists, designers, makers, and creators. A portion of the space will house
artists-in-residence, creative workshops, and public events.
The total project budget should not exceed $20,000, which must include all design/artist fees, travel, lodging, materials, rentals
and any necessary priming or prepping of wall surfaces to install the finished artwork. The client (Propeller) 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.
All submissions should be emailed directly to Jess Novitski (jess@laaoffice.com) no later than April 28, 2023.
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.
Health and safety are a top priority for the community, organizations, and the selected artist or artist team. At all stages of
development and implementation, the parties involved will follow local, state and national guidance related to in-person meetings,
travel, and public gatherings. All parties will be asked to take any precautionary measures to maintain a healthy and safe
environment at Propeller as necessary.
