The Norman Arts Council, on behalf of The City of Norman and Norman Forward Percent for Art, for Norman Public Library Central, is seeking an artist (or team of artists) to create a significant work of art for the new Norman Public Library Central Branch to be located at 103 West Acres Street, Norman, Oklahoma.

Budget: $230,000 (all-inclusive)
Eligibility:  Open to professional artists with experience working on public art projects of this scale and creating site-specific works. Artists are allowed to apply in teams. Artists applying as a team must split the allotted number of work examples between themselves.
Deadline: 10/27/2017 11:00 PM Central Time

Site History
Norman, Oklahoma, is a growing, progressive city located 20 miles south of downtown Oklahoma City.  It is the third-largest city in Oklahoma. For more information about Norman, please see http://www.normanok.gov/cm/norman-forward and www.visitnorman.com.

The Norman Public Library Central Branch is part of the Pioneer Library System, whose mission is to inspire innovation, engagement and learning in our communities. This mission is realized through cutting edge technologies and 21st century customer service strategies. The oldest of eight multi-county library systems in Oklahoma, Pioneer began in 1958 and serves Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie counties with branch libraries in ten communities including Norman.

Norman Public Library Central Branch will provide its users with 21st century services with new models of information access, digital/physical collections and spaces that support active and participatory learning.

Artwork Location Description
The library will be in a located in an area that is historically significant and in the heart of Norman. There are historic homes in the neighborhoods to the East, and to the South sits Andrew’s Park, established in the late 1890s and improved during the New Deal, between 1935 and 1937, which is a verdant and beloved space. This area is also the hub for Legacy Trail that creates links across town — connecting the library and downtown to the University of Oklahoma (further south) and Ruby Grant Park in the far northwest part of Norman.

The new library will also be near City Hall, the city’s administrative services offices, and a very vibrant downtown including the designated Walker Arts District.

Project Description
The Project Team has determined that the most effective artwork will be a monumental, exterior piece located in one of two indicated spaces. Because the library is one story where the plaza is located, a component of the artwork could be located on the roof of that story which would make it very visible from the other two stories when viewed from inside the library.

Since the work of art will be outside, it should complement the natural beauty of the site and the architecture of the building as well as welcome all visitors to the library. The artwork should also express qualities inherent in all libraries, e.g. a sense of wonderment, curiosity, learning and inclusiveness. Visitors, staff, and customers should be able to interact with the chosen artwork by listening to it or observing it reacting to changes in light, seasons or weather.

It is the desire of the Project Team for this work of art be a very visible addition to the cultural fabric of Norman relating to its history, but also its current importance to the state and country, as well as its future. Because the library and this art will be located in the heart and administrative center of the city, it is hoped that it will become an iconic symbol of the spirit of Norman.

The Project Team is open to any media or material that is appropriate to the site as long as it is durable, safe, low maintenance and vandalism resistant.

Timeline
RFQ Deadline: Friday, October 27, 2017 at 11:00pm (CST)

The following dates are subject to change:

• Notify Artists: By Wednesday, December 20, 2017
• Finalists’ Site Visit: By Friday, January 12, 2018
• Finalists’ Presentation of Proposals: By Friday, March 2, 2018
• Selection of Artist: By Thursday, March 16, 2018
• Opening of Norman Public Library Central: June 15, 2019

Application Requirements

Submissions for this project must contain the following materials:

• A one page maximum typed letter of interest outlining your qualifications for and interest in the project, as well as the general idea for your approach.  Please consider the following questions when developing your letter of interest: Why do you want to work on this project? How would you approach this project?  What materials do you work with that would be appropriate for outdoor use?
  Have you worked on similar projects? If not, what relevant experiences do you have? How does the project relate to your current work?
• Resume (not to exceed three pages)
• 10 to 15 digital high resolution images of previous work you feel would support your ability to carry out this project
• Annotated image list in desired priority of viewing that corresponds with the names of the digital files and includes the following information: Artist’s name, Title of artwork, medium, size, date of artwork completion, location and project details (i.e. Budget commissioning agency, etc., if public art). The list should be sorted in desired priority of viewing.
• A list of three references with whom you have worked on a public art project, including current telephone number and/or email address.

Selection Process
The Selection Panel will review applicants’ submissions and then select three finalists who will come to Norman for a mandatory site visit to meet with the Project Team and others. They will be paid a $750.00 allowance to cover transportation, hotel and per diem expenses for the site visit. After the site visit, they will be asked to create a site specific design proposal that will include:

– a scale model, maquette, or computer generated design
– an itemized budget
– a project timeline
– project narrative
– maintenance plan

The finalists selected will each be awarded an honorarium of $1,250.00 for their proposal. Finalists will be required to present their proposals in person to the Selection Panel. Artists will receive a $750.00 allowance for transportation, hotel and per diem expenses for the proposal presentations. The Selection Panel will make the final decision on the artist awarded the project.

Commissioning of artists is implemented without preference to racial or ethnic origins, sex, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability or age.

Selection Criteria
The artist will be selected based on the materials submitted. The panel will be looking at the merit of the artist’s work, past experience at completing projects on time and within budget, and appropriateness and maintenance requirements of past work. The panel will also consider artists who can demonstrate sensitivity to the site and surroundings. Artists must be able to commit and effectively work within the project timeline and collaborate with the Library administration.

How to Apply

Apply only through the CaFE system.  Mailed, emailed, or hand-delivered applications will not be accepted.

QUESTIONS?  Contact Debby Williams, 405-517-7251 or williams.debby49@gmail.com