Santa Clara County Valley Medical Center Seeks Visionary Artists for Commissioned Public Art

Experienced artists are invited to submit qualifications to be considered for several artwork opportunities intended to create a signature identity for the exterior of Santa Clara County Valley Medical Center’s new Women and Children Center as part of the Imagine VMC initiative (http://imaginevmc.org/vmc/).

Plans currently underway will establish a new Women and Children’s Center by renovating a prominent building on the Valley Medical Center campus. As Silicon Valley’s only “safety net” hospital, once completed the transformed building will serve some of the most economically-challenged women, children, and families in Santa Clara County. Developing a landmark facade will distinguish the Women and Children’s Center building from others on campus, elevate the entry experience and support wayfinding, important features for the general public and patients potentially in the midst of crisis.

Budget

The total art project budget is $1,000,000. The selection committee reserves the right to award a commission to more than one artist. The minimum commission award amount for this project will be $250,000. *NOTE:  Artists' scope of work includes installation oversight, but the cost of installation is not the artist's responsibility and is not included in the art project budget.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to artists working or living in the United States. Artists must demonstrate experience developing and implementing projects into architectural environments with a budget greater than $250,000. Applicants must have all necessary documentation and permits to work in the United States at the time of submittal of qualifications.

Opportunities

Opportunities for public art include façade-mounted or stand-alone sculpture(s) that are visible from the street. Sites include, but are not limited to:

• 5th Floor Façades: Two eastern facades of the 5th Floor mechanical rooms provide opportunities for wall mounted artwork. The surfaces are each
  approximately 25 X 47’.
• Glass enclosed stairwell: An architectural feature of the building, this five-story glass enclosed staircase is an opportunity for an interior treatment with both day and night visibility. Note: the stairwell is a fire exit and is not typically publicly accessible.
• Staff Roof Terrace: The roof garden on 3rd Floor, while not publically accessible, provides opportunity for sculpture that can contribute to the garden while at the same time can be viewed from street level.
• Exterior Balconies: Two exterior stairwells provide an opportunity for façade treatment. Note: the stairwell is not typically publicly accessible.

Timeline

Specific dates are subject to change as necessary to align with the base building schedule and integration requirements of art proposal.

• RFQ advertised: July 8, 2016
• Last date to submit questions: August 12, 2016
• RFQ Closing Date: August 22, 2016
• Selection Panel / Shortlisting: Week of August 29, 2016
• Artist Interviews: Week of September 19, 2016
• Commission Award: Week of September 24, 2016
• Contract Execution: October 2016
• Research/Outreach & Concept development: November 2016
• Concept Design Proposal Submittal: January 2017
• Concept approval: February 2017
• Design Development Proposal Submittal: March/April2017
• Design Development approval: May 2017
• Construction Documents: July 2017
• Permitting: August 2017
• Fabrication/Installation Completion: December 2017

Evaluation Criteria

• Aesthetic excellence of past projects; appropriateness of prior concepts as they relate to VMC/WCC project goals and setting
• Experience, success and/or interest in creating public artworks in collaboration with stakeholder groups, including public outreach, in determining scope and development of artworks.
• Experience developing artworks for outdoor environments
• Experience in construction materials and methods appropriate to the scope of the project
• Successful development of a permanent artwork in a public setting with a value of greater than $250,000

How to Apply

All responses must be submitted online, via CaFÉ™ (www.callforentry.org). There is no application fee. To view the application, go to www.callforentry.org, register a username and password, navigate to “Apply to Calls”, and search the list for “Valley Medical Center Women and Children Center.”  Assistance in using the CaFÉ™ system is available during regular business hours via e-mail at cafe@westaf.org. Responses that are submitted using any form of communication or platform aside from CaFÉ will not be accepted.

Please review the full Request for Qualifications for complete project, site and application information.

Questions?  Contact Mary Rubin: mary.rubin@sanjoseca.gov