The Public Art Commission of the Town of Wake Forest, North Carolina, invites artists or artist teams who are United States citizens and reside in certain states to submit qualifications for site specific public art at a new community center building. It is desired that the finished project be integrated with the architecture and/or site elements.

Budget: $100,000, to cover all artist fees, design, testing, fabrication and installation, including but not limited to travel, public meeting presentations, administration, permits, fees, taxes and insurance relating to the project.

Eligibility

Artist must be a U.S. citizen over the age of 18, be a professional artist, and must reside in one of the following states: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. Artists are allowed to apply in teams.  Artists applying as a team must split the allotted number of work examples between themselves.

Deadline: 07/07/2017 5:00 PM Central Time

Project Description
The Town of Wake Forest Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department is building a new Community Center within E. Carroll Joyner Park as part of phase two of the master plan, which also includes the addition of a band shell to the existing amphitheater. Design of the Joyner Park facility has begun and the selected artist will work with the design and construction team through the duration of the project to create an impactful, integrated project. The developed artwork should reflect both the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department and the community it serves. The selected artist(s) will be expected to engage with department staff, the design team, and area residents to develop the concept for their work. The artwork should assist in creating an appealing facility that addresses and welcomes community residents.

Site History
E. Carroll Joyner Park was developed to provide a recreational area for the citizens of Wake Forest, North Carolina through a multi-phased master plan. The town of Wake Forest opened E. Carroll Joyner Park phase one in August 2009. Located at 701 Harris Road, the 117-acre park is one of the area’s most popular outdoor destinations featuring three miles of paved walking trails, a 1,000-lawn-seat amphitheater and performance garden. The park features many community events including movies in the park, a summer concert series and TRACK Trails, an initiative promoting kids in parks.

Artwork Goals
This opportunity should achieve a cohesive and unique aesthetic experience that is distinguished from, yet sensitive to, the architecture of the Joyner Park facility.

• The artwork must be integrated into the building and/or site features, reflecting the character of the park and complementing the existing rural aesthetic.
• The artwork should reflect both the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department and the Wake Forest community it serves and encourage the recreational and educational use of the community center.
• The artwork should be designed for viewing by visitors to the facility, pedestrians, and depending on its location, vehicular traffic.
• The artwork must conform to all safety restrictions outlined by the City Project Manager, Project Architects, or Project General Contractor.
• The artwork must be designed for permanency with a lifespan of at least 15-20 years.

Timeline

• RFQ Application Deadline: July 7, 2017
• Finalists Notified and Interviewed: July 2017
• Project Awarded: August 2017
• Joyner Park Community Center Opens: Spring 2019

Selection Process
The selection process will have two stages. During the first stage, the Artist Selection Panel will evaluate qualifications of artists based on five criteria: artistic merit; place making experience; experience in collaborative public art processes; project management experience; and technical expertise.

The selection panel will determine a shortlist of three to five artist or artist team finalists who will be invited to Wake Forest for interviews. Finalists will receive a stipend of $1000 to cover travel and related expenses associated with the interview. In addition to reviewing qualifications and previous experience in detail, panelists will discuss with the finalists their approaches to the project and respond to questions. A specific proposal is not expected from the artist or artist team at the interview.

The selection panel will recommend an artist or team of artists to the Public Art Commission and the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners for final approval. Upon approval, the artist or team of artists will enter into contractual agreement which will further identify the scope of services and budget for the project.

Selection Criteria
The artist(s) will be selected on the basis of the following criteria, as evidenced in application materials and conversations with listed references:

• artistic merit in concept and fabrication;
• experience incorporating artwork into the architectural elements of a construction project;
• demonstrated ability to collaborate in the early phases of a project with design teams and community stakeholders;
• demonstrated ability to complete projects on time and within budget.

Application Requirements

Please review the full RFQ, available at PublicArtist.org, before applying!

• Biography
• Resume: 2 page(s) maximum
• Work examples: 8 images of artwork completed within the past 15 years
• Artist Statement: 500 word maximum
• A letter of interest (3000 character, max) outlining the artist’s interest in this project, and addressing selection criteria with references to previous artworks in public places. Applicant(s) may apply as a single artist or team. If applying as a team, identify all team members and their proposed project role (i.e.: lead artist, technical consultant, programmer, etc.) in the statement.
• References: 3

How to Submit

Applications up to 10 MBs can be sent as email attachments to Debra Horton, dhorton@wakeforestnc.gov

Artists may instead send applications via Dropbox.com with a sharing link to Debra Horton, as above.

QUESTIONS?  Contact Katelyn Ottaway, kottaway@clarknexsen.com