Temporary Public Art Celebrating Women's History Sought for Golden Triangle BID

Posted by Golden Triangle Business Improvement District ; Posted on 
Public Art; Visual - DEADLINE :  
Temporary Public Art Celebrating Women's History Sought for Golden Triangle BID
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The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative invite emerging and mid-career artists to submit qualifications to be considered for a temporary public art project to be installed along Connecticut Avenue in 2020.

Budget: $35,000 all inclusive (must include structural drawings stamped by a DC-licensed engineer; max. fee to artist/team $7,000)
Eligibility: Professional artists residing in the US (DC artists preferred in cases of identical scoring)
Deadline: 09/09/2019 10:59 PM Central Time

Project Description
This temporary artwork will be on Connecticut Avenue and K Street, a prestigious and highly visible location in one of the most vibrant and bustling corridors in DC and the Golden Triangle neighborhood. This project builds on the success of the 2018 collaboration between the Golden Triangle BID and the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. Additional info on that collaboration is here.

The selected Artist or Team will:

  • Enter into an agreement with the Golden Triangle BID for the duration of the project. Throughout the contract, the artist, design team, and subcontractors, will be required to maintain relevant licenses and carry professional liability insurance of $2 million.
  • Work with the Golden Triangle BID to determine the best strategy to install the artwork.
  • Secure any necessary fabricators and installers, obtain cost estimates, and develop fabrication and installation schedules.
  • Keep an itemized expenses checklist and receipts for financial reporting purposes.
  • Provide an artwork maintenance plan for the completed artwork.
  • Coordinate all engineering, construction, and installation with the Golden Triangle BID Public Space Curator.

The Golden Triangle BID and Smithsonian Institution will include the artist or team’s information on its website, social media outlets, and other various media outlets. A weather-proof plaque/label with pertinent information and approved text will be installed with the artwork. The Golden Triangle BID and Smithsonian reserve the right to photograph the artwork for educational purposes, brochures, and other publicity. All copyrights remain with the artist. The Golden Triangle BID will host a public dedication ceremony in early 2020 upon installation of the artwork.

Site History
The Smithsonian launched the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative—Because Of Her Story—in 2018. The initiative is one of the country’s most ambitious undertakings to research, collect, document, display and share the compelling story of women, which is inclusive of all persons who identify as female or have a history of being designated female but identify differently.

Artwork Goals
We’re seeking one project that aims to pay tribute to women and their history in our shared public spaces. The artwork will relate to the integral themes and goals of The Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative and will lend itself to related programming and public engagement. Both new and existing works are eligible. The artwork will:

  • Act as a beacon, creating both drive-by and pedestrian interest.
  • Highlight women’s voices to honor the past, inform the present, and inspire the future.
  • Expand the reach of the American Women’s History Initiative by increasing visibility in public spaces and by using complementary digital technologies to boost engagement.
  • Showcase a dynamic and distinctive contemporary artwork that enhances the neighborhood.
  • Complement and relate to its location.
  • Create a strong visual impact on the space evident during the day and at night.

Artwork Location Description
The artworks will be located in the heart of DC’s central business district on the Connecticut Avenue Median (at K Street NW). The artwork should optimize this space to achieve the goals of the project.

DESIGN NOTES

  • Overall size cannot exceed the following dimensions: 8 x 8 feet wide and 15 feet tall.
  • Sculpture should be designed to be mounted and anchored securely to concrete sculpture pad (pad is 8 x 8 feet wide and 12 inches deep).
  • There is access to power at the site via a 110 V outlet.
  • If sculpture utilizes colored lights, palette must exclude red, yellow, and green for traffic safety.

Timeline

  • September 9, 2019: RFQ Deadline
  • September 2019: Panel to select up to five (5) semi-finalists
  • Early October 2019: Semi-finalists notified
  • November 8, 2019: Round Two Proposals Due
  • November 2019: Panel Review
  • December 2019: Selected artist notified
  • January – April 2020: Artwork fabrication
  • May 2020: Install artwork
  • June 2020: Event/Dedication/Kick-off
  • March 2021: Removal/De-installation

Selection Process
The Golden Triangle BID will convene an Advisory Panel to recommend artists based on their qualifications, artistic merit, prior work experience, and professionalism necessary to complete these projects. Representatives from the Smithsonian Institution, the area community, and other experts in the field will review submissions. Up to five semi-finalists may be selected to create concept proposals. The final design proposals will be subject to the review of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), National Capital Planning Commission, and DC Department of Transportation. Upon approval of the concept design, the selected artists, and representatives from the Golden Triangle BID will determine the best strategy for obtaining the required permits. The artist whose design is approved will then enter into an agreement with the Golden Triangle BID for the fabrication, installation, and programming of artwork. The artists/teams may subcontract with artwork fabricator(s) and installer(s). These projects are contingent upon funding availability and permitting.

Selection Criteria

ARTISTIC CONTENT (40%)

  • Work demonstrates high standards of artistic excellence; and
  • Artist has potential to connect to themes related to The Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative.

CAPACITY AND SUSTAINABILITY (30%)

  • High degree of professionalism and relevant work experience, especially in the area of public art and public space programming.

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT (30%)

  • Past audience engagement experience that encourages participation in the arts; and
  • Opportunity for a diversity of audiences to engage with the ideas and themes central to The Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative.

What to Submit

  1. a resume/CV
  2. up to 10 samples of past work
  3. up to 10 Images of a proposed work (this is only required if you are proposing an existing work rather than creating a new, commissioned piece)
  4. Work Sample Index, including project budgets
  5. professional references for three contacts
  6. a cover letter that addresses how this project relates to your past work, your approach to this project, how you relate your work to the American Women’s History Initiative, and the key themes and concepts driving your work.

How to Submit

Submit the indicated material ONLINE ONLY via this form.

QUESTIONS? Contact Karyn Miller, 202-684-8924 or kmiller@goldentriangledc.com

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