The Stutz Seeks Artists for Public Art Installation

Deadline for Applications

Sunday, February 5, 11:59 p.m. Eastern. This is NOT a postmark deadline.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate the following qualifications and qualities:

• History of accomplishing successful, creative, and innovative public art projects, or showing the potential to do so.
• Ability to understand a locale’s sense of place, and to design in a context-sensitive manner
• Openness to working collaboratively with the project team members and the Stutz staff and to engaging with the community
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Carry General Liability insurance for the duration of the project
• Be willing to meet all contractual obligations and adhere to the project timeline
• Given the neighborhood’s demographic history, the selection panel is particularly interested in artists from minority and underrepresented communities

Project Overview 

The Stutz, on behalf of SomeraRoad and through the Public Art for Neighborhoods Program, is requesting qualifications from artists or artist teams who are interested in creating outdoor public artwork for the indicated site. This RFQ is an open call to experienced artists. Artists living in Indiana are strongly encouraged to apply, but the project is open to all artists based in Indiana-adjacent states (Ohio, Illinois, Michigan & Kentucky). The project budget is $100,000 (all-inclusive).

About the Project 

SomeraRoad is redeveloping the historic Stutz Building at 1060 N. Senate Ave. Originally built to manufacture Stutz Automobiles, the 441,000 SF complex comprises 8 buildings, connected by skybridges, and dissected by alleyways. SomeraRoad acquired the building in 2021 with plans to redevelop it into a best-in-class mixed-use asset while respecting the building’s storied history. The upgrades will include modernized building systems and elevators, tenant amenity spaces, food and fitness options, and a vibrant and activated streetscape. SomeraRoad has engaged PATTERN to oversee the Public Art project and to convene a committee of community-based stakeholders and experts to select the semi-finalists and finalist.

Site Information 

Built in 1912, the Stutz is a historic, architecturally significant building situated on the north side of downtown Indianapolis. The building takes up an entire city block between 10th and 11th streets, and Senate and Capitol aves. The surrounding neighborhood currently consists of mostly commercial and industrial buildings with a handful of apartment buildings. IU Health is the largest real estate stakeholder in the area with a multi-year, mixed-use Health District development project in the works.

The selected artist will be working with an exterior alley on the west side of the building. (Please note shared images of the alley show it as being under construction. The alley will be in full repair with concrete poured by the time of the art installation.) keeping in mind that the purpose of Public Art for Neighborhoods is to provide a permanent public ADA-compliant amenity. This work of public art will be a highly visible design element that celebrates the history of the building and surrounding neighborhoods.

Project Timeline 

This timeline represents the project as it now appears. Changes may be necessary as the project progresses.

January 2, 2023 - Release Request for Qualifications
February 5, 2023 - Artist qualification packages due to The Stutz: See below under “How to Apply” for details.
Week of February 6, 2023 – Artist applications reviewed
February 13, 2023 – Selected artists are invited to submit a full proposal (paid)
March 19, 2023 – Full proposals due
March 23, 2023 – Finalist notified
March 30, 2023 – Public Art Plan submitted to Public Art for Neighborhoods Steering Committee
Week of April 20, 2023 – Public Art Committee meets
May 2023 - December 2024 – Fabrication of approved artwork
January - March 2024 – On-site installation of completed artwork

Resources 

Download project drawings and images from this link: https://tinyurl.com/4ffhnk2e 

Selection Process  

No designs are required as part of the initial RFQ response. Applications received in response to this Request for Qualifications will be reviewed by SomeraRoad and the Stutz project teams along with the Community Selection Committee. Selected semi-finalists will be identified and invited to submit full proposals with designs and will be compensated $1500. Finalist presentations should include concept, design, detailed budget for the available funds, installation method, and projected maintenance.

A proposal will be selected from the semi-finalist group and the artist will work with SomeraRoad, the Stutz and their design team to propose the artwork concept and create a Public Art Plan, to be reviewed by the Public Art for Neighborhoods Steering Committee. Once approved, the artwork will be fabricated and installed in coordination with the Stutz.

The Public Art Selection Committee consists of experts in their respective fields and includes artists, arts advocates, curators, and other arts and community development specialists.

Selection Criteria 

Semi-finalists will be selected based on their technical ability, experience and aesthetic sensibility.

The finalist artist/artist team will be selected based upon the following criteria:

• Artistic quality: artist’s submission displays a record of appropriate, yet innovative, concepts brought to a site or project, and documents creative and stylistically distinctive solutions to design and site issues
• Aesthetic sensibility: artist’s work displays an aesthetic that would be desirable for this project
• Technical ability: artist’s submission indicates skill with materials and techniques  similar to those that would be required for this project
• Experience: artist’s submission has indicated familiarity with clients and conditions similar to those that would be used on this project, or has demonstrated the ability on past projects to quickly acquire the skills needed to be successful on a project similar to this one
• Process: artist’s submission indicate that the working relationship will be productive and the completed project will successfully meet the challenges particular to the site  and overall initiative in a timely manner, including successfully completing all  documentation and managing the given project budget

How to Apply: Request for Qualifications
If applying as a team, each member of the team, must submit the application and supporting documentation

RFQ Application and Upload of Supporting Attachments:

• Completed Application Form https://forms.gle/4TCT3nJoHcTzFf2R8
• Upload of CV/Resume via the Application Form link (limit CV up to 3 pages)
• Upload of Three Professional References via the Application Form link. References should be from individuals or entities who have deep knowledge of the artist’s artwork and work methods. References should include complete contact information.
• Visual Support Materials
• Image descriptions: Label each uploaded image with title, medium, year, project budget, and any relevant description.
• Images: Up to Twenty (20) jpg images of completed relevant artworks.
• Video: Optional video file may demonstrate moving parts, time-based work, functionality, etc. (.mov, or mp4 files, no larger than 60MB each, nor longer than five minutes each.)

How to Submit Visual Support Materials 

Submit the images and video in one of the following ways (please choose only one!)

Upload files to your Dropbox and send a sharing link to polina@patternindy.com. The email containing the sharing link must be date-stamped by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) on Sunday, February 5, 2023.

OR

Upload the information to WeTransfer (http://www.WeTransfer.com) and direct it to polina@patternindy.com. The system-generated email containing a link back to WeTransfer must be date-stamped by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) on Sunday, February 5, 2023.

QUESTIONS? 

Polina Osherov, Public Art Committee Chair

polina@patternindy.com

For more information about the Stutz, please visit www.thestutz.com.

For the full RFQ, click here.