ARTIST OPPORTUNITY FOR OUTDOOR SCULPTURE/WATER FEATURE for the central government plaza in Terre Haute, Indiana
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF MATERIALS: November 18, 2019 Art Spaces, Inc. – Wabash Valley
Outdoor Sculpture Collection is issuing a REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for a site-specific project including a water feature, to be located in downtown TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA as part of Turn to the River, a multi-year project to reconnect Terre Haute’s downtown with the Wabash River through public art and design
SEND TO:
info@wabashvalleyartspaces.com (Please note "Turn to the River RFQ" in subject heading)
or
Art Spaces, Inc. 669 Ohio Street Terre Haute, IN 47807
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF MATERIALS: November 18, 2019
TURN TO THE RIVER – THE CELEBRATION SPACE
1. LOCATION The location is in downtown Terre Haute, Indiana, on the grounds of the City of Terre Haute/Vigo County four square block government complex that includes Terre Haute City Hall and Vigo County Courthouse. Terre Haute is a city on the banks of the Wabash River in West Central Indiana with a population of approximately 61,000 people. It was platted in 1816 around a courthouse in the approximate site of the existing county courthouse. Terre Haute is home to four institutions of higher education, a major regional art museum, the state’s longest running symphony orchestra, many other arts and cultural entities, and a variety of large and small industries. The downtown was recently designated as a state Cultural District (the 41 | 40 Arts and Cultural District) in honor of its rich arts and cultural offerings, unique cultural history and a growing creative industry. The Turn to the River focus area will be added to the cultural district after it has been completed.
An existing fountain in the approximate location for a new work of art is in a state of decay and will be removed. City and County officials and community members value the gentle character of water on a site that often puts people in stressful circumstances (going to court, child custody exchanges) as well as serving as a site for celebration (civil marriage ceremonies, citizenship naturalization ceremonies, public announcements). Many citizens also visit the site to conduct ordinary daily government business. The new work of art will benefit the employees, clients and visitors of the government campus including residents accessing city and county services, getting married, going to court, attending city council meetings, visiting inmates in the jail (a new jail in another location will be completed in 2021), as well as attorneys and judges conducting proceedings in both City Hall and the Vigo County Courthouse.
Other improvements planned through additional phases of Turn to the River include a designed event space incorporated within the large city-owned parking lot scheduled for reconstruction in 2020; a designed walkway to the Wabash River (which is 2 blocks west); trees; landscaping; wayfinding; seating; and other public art and amenities.
The site for this art work is accessible to the public and free of charge at all times. It is utilized during nighttime hours only on special occasions.
IMPORTANT: Please note that images of concepts and site designs posted as part of this RFQ indicate only the potential footprint for a new work of art. The exact design, dimensions and detailed location of the final central feature will depend on the chosen artist and their concept, in consultation with Art Spaces, Terre Haute and Vigo County representatives. Art Spaces and the Turn to the River Design Team will work with the selected artist to ensure a seamless transition between the work of public art/water feature and the current plaza design.
On the Art Spaces website (www.wabashvalleyartspaces.com) you will find links to:
For the full RFQ, visit https://wabashvalleyartspacesblog.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/rfq-turn-to-the-river.pdf
