Science Center Seeks Public Art

Posted by Greensboro Science Center ; Posted on 
Public Art; Visual - DEADLINE :  
Science Center Seeks Public Art
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A unique collaboration between the Greensboro Science Center and the Public Art Endowment is underway for the creation of a public work of art that represents how science and art are intertwined. The sculpture is intended to engage viewers’ imaginations and symbolize a spirit of discovery and learning.

Budget: $225,000
Eligibility: Professional artists age 18 or older
Deadline: 10/11/2019 5:00 PM Central Time

Project Description
This project is a partnership between the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro’s Public Art Endowment (PAE) and the Greensboro Science Center (GSC) to create an iconic outdoor artwork for the renovated entry plaza of the GSC facility located at 4301 Lawndale Drive in Greensboro, NC. Descriptors for the project include: kinetic, playful, child-friendly, wayfinding, approachable, interactive or reactive.

Artwork Goals
Goals of the project include:

  • To activate and enhance the newly renovated entry area of the Greensboro Science Center with an artwork that connects art and science in an engaging and meaningful way.
  • To reflect the Mission of the Greensboro Science Center and exemplify creative and innovative ways of thinking.
  • To provide an opportunity for community engagement and ownership with the patrons of the Science Center – both young and old.
  • Create a visually stunning work of art that inspires wonder.

Site History
The Greensboro Science Center (GSC) is committed to excellence in science education by providing the community with a dynamic, experiential and family-focused attraction designed to inspire scientific curiosity and encourage personal discovery about life and the natural world. It is North Carolina’s only nationally AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and AAM (American Alliance of Museums) accredited science institution. In 2018, the GSC welcomed over 440,000 visitors to its campus with over 85,000 of those being students in Guilford County School groups. The GSC has a goal to sustain an annual visitation of 500,000+ upon completion of the Master Plan 2019 which will include the Greensboro Rotary Carousel, a new front entrance complex, an outdoor Komodo Dragon lair, a breeding center for Malayan tigers, phase one of Battleground Parks District, and Revolution Ridge- our zoological expansion.

Timeline

  • Issue RFQ/invitations: August 28, 2019
  • Deadline for submissions: October 11, 2019
  • Selection panel for short list Artists (10): October 2019
  • Selection panel from 10 to three Finalists: Early November 2019
  • Artists Interviews/Presentation/Voting: January 2020
  • Artist Selected for Collaboration: January 2020
  • Begin Design/Community Engagement: February 2020
  • Fabrication and Installation Complete: December 2020

Selection Process

The selection process will proceed via a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and include visits, interviews and presentations by a select number of artists. Artists are invited to submit images and a resume to be included in the pool of artists for initial review by the consultant and the PAE Artist Selection Committee, then presented to the Sculpture Committee. The Sculpture Committee presents 7-10 semi-finalists to the PAE Endowment Trustees and together narrow the group to a maximum of three finalists. Each selected finalist will travel to Greensboro to visit the site and meet the Sculpture Committee and site architects. They will also make a presentation to the full group of PAE Trustees, select GSC donors and the Sculpture Committee to convey their thoughts on this project, their philosophy of public art and to review past projects. This group will vote on the final artist. The finalists will be paid an honorarium ($500) for their time and presentation, as well as all travel and accommodation costs while in Greensboro.

Selection Criteria
The artists will be selected based on the following criteria, as evidenced in application materials and conversations with listed references:

  • Artistic accomplishment as demonstrated by images of previously completed artwork.
  • Technical competence and comparable scale of past works.
  • Experience with planning and collaboration with multiple stakeholders, working on design teams, and with projects in urban settings.
  • Demonstrated ability to create artwork that reflects the distinctive characteristics of place.
  • Demonstrated ability to complete projects on time and within budget.
  • Experience collaborating with community members/space users on conceptual design efforts

What to Submit

Note: If submitting as a team, compile all résumés into a single document.

  1. Résumé/CV:  include contact information, web address(es), previous relevant art commissions, design team experience, exhibitions, awards, grants, education.
  2. References. Please include at least three (3) art and/or design professionals who have detailed knowledge of the artist’s work and working methods, including fulfilling deadlines, working with the community, etc. Include contact name, organization, address, telephone, and email for each reference.
  3. Letter of Interest: please include name, address, telephone, email, and website for all artist/design team members and uour interest in this project and your experience working on comparable projects. Include your philosophy on commissioned art, its integration into surrounding environment and how your work and experience will complement this project.  Describe how your experience fits the criteria outlined for this project from the Selection Criteria section of this RFQ.  Outline your experience collaborating with community members on public art projects and any proposed methods of engaging with community stakeholders and gathering input.
  4. Artwork Images: five (5) different completed artworks or past commissions. For each completed artwork, you will be prompted to upload a single main image and specify the title of the artwork, location, budget, year completed, medium, and dimensions. Images must be JPEG file format with a minimum of 620px width and a maximum file size of 5MB. Horizontal images are recommended. You have the option to provide more images and information for your completed artwork by publishing a CODAworx “project”. With a CODAworx “project” you can include additional images and more information about your project or artwork. When complete, include the link to the “project” with the main image. Follow the link below to publish the additional images and information for your application: https://www.codaworx.com/account/project.

Slides, prints or any physical submissions of artwork will not be accepted.

How to Submit
Submit ONLINE ONLY via CODAworx.

QUESTIONS? Contact Cheryl Stewart, 336-601-2062

 

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