ARTIST OPPORTUNITY FOR OUTDOOR SCULPTURE – Terre Haute, Indiana

CELEBRATING LOST CREEK – THE STORY OF AN AFRICAN AMERICAN SETTLEMENT

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF MATERIALS: THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2023

ARTIST BUDGET: $103,000

SEND MATERIALS TO:

info@wabashvalleyartspaces.com

or

669 Ohio Street
Terre Haute, IN 47802

812-235-2801

View full RFQ as pdf here.

1.  ART SPACES AND THE GOALS FOR THIS PROJECT

The mission of Art Spaces is to provide public art and the design of public places to enhance economic growth, enrich cultural experiences and build a legacy that reflects the diversity of the Wabash Valley. The Art Spaces Collection currently includes twenty-one unique, site-specific sculptures in public locations throughout Terre Haute.  Art Spaces sculptures are free of charge to the public at all times.

Each artwork is site-specific and appropriately designed for its location featuring varied approaches in concept, material and geographic and cultural origin of the artists. By placing a new sculpture in Deming Park, Art Spaces is continuing to enliven and add meaning to public spaces and provide important and lasting cultural attractions for Wabash Valley residents and visitors.

In 2010, Art Spaces, working in collaboration with other arts and cultural organizations, began a “Cultural Trail” to honor notable individuals, icons and stories from Terre Haute that are unique to the city’s place and history, have had a positive impact on arts and culture worldwide and help to define the community today.

The next addition to the Cultural Trial will be Celebrating Lost Creek – The Story of an African American Settlement. The Lost Creek Settlement was founded in the early 1800’s when a group of free African Americans traveled to what is now Vigo County from Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina to escape the greater dangers of the pre-Civil War south. The Lost Creek settlers were among some of Vigo County’s earliest non-indigenous residents.

The goals for this project are to honor, celebrate and bring awareness to this important aspect of Terre Haute’s history. Art Spaces and its community partners seek an artist who will successfully conceive, design, fabricate and install a sculpture that captures the spirit of the Lost Creek Settlement, introduces its history and long-lasting impact in a creative way, and invites conversation, reflection and dialogue among people of all ages.

2. LOCATION

The sculpture will be located outdoors in Deming Park, a 177-acre park on the east side of Terre Haute. The site was selected collaboratively by members of Art Spaces’ Cultural Trail Committee, Site Selection and Acquisition Committee and descendants of the Lost Creek Settlement, in consultation with City of Terre Haute Department of Parks & Recreation.

The completed sculpture will be accessible to the public and free of charge. The park is open with no admission fee during all daylight hours and occasionally at night for special events.

3.  ELIGIBILITY

This opportunity is open to practicing professional artists over 18 years of age working with durable materials and demonstrating the capacity to successfully achieve the stated goals. This capacity may be achieved through a partnership, in which case both partners will need to submit their materials.

4.  PROJECT TIMELINE

The RFQ deadline JANUARY 12, 2023.  Selected finalists will be notified by January 20 and visits to the site will be scheduled to occur within 3 weeks or less of notification. Proposals will be due 5 weeks following the site visit. The desired completion date for the sculpture is November 1, 2023.

5.  SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

For consideration, please send the following with your name clearly on each item.  If you are submitting as a team, you will need to submit the resume/bio for each member of the team.

It is preferred that the required materials be sent electronically via We Transfer or another program that does not require Art Spaces to incur additional costs in receiving them. This is preferred to sending them via multiple emails. You may also send by a CD through regular mail (clearly label it with your name.)

• Letter of interest, not to exceed two pages.  Please state your reasons for being interested in this project, why you believe your work would be appropriate for this site and whether you could meet the goals of the project within the proposed budget and timeline.
• Ten clearly titled and numbered digital (jpg only) images (2 detail shots okay to include in the 10).  The images should be titled as follows: Last Name_Image Number_Artwork Title.  Please send resolution images high enough that they can be successfully projected on a large screen.
• Image List. Including Image Number, Title, Dimensions, Materials, Year and Cost. They should be numbered on the list in the same order as the jpgs are numbered.
• Current Resume. No more than 2 pages, please.
• List of 3 references with their current contact information, including phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
• Mention of how you heard about this RFQ
• Make certain your name, address, e-mail address and phone number are clearly listed on your letter, resume and other materials
• Optional: SASE for return of any materials you send physically and would like back

Notes

You will be notified via e-mail when  your materials are received. If you do not receive notice within 1 week of submitting, please email info@wabashvalleyartspaces.com. Note “Lost Creek Settlement project” in the subject heading.

Send all materials to: info@wabashvalleyartspaces.com (Please note “Lost Creek Settlement project” in subject heading.) or send to Art Spaces, Inc., 669 Ohio Street, Terre Haute, IN  47807.

6.  INFORMATION ABOUT ART SPACES and CONTACT INFORMATION

Artists are encouraged to visit the Art Spaces website (www.wabashvalleyartspaces.com)

To directly request more information you may write to: info@wabashvalleyartspaces.com (Please note “Lost Creek Settlement Project” in subject heading) or call 812-235-2801.

For more information, click here.