The City of Merriam, Kansas, is seeking one or more professional public artists or artist teams for the design, fabrication, and installation of two permanent outdoor works as a part of the new Merriam Community Center project.

Budget:  $243,000 (for two artworks)

Eligibility: Professional visual artists or artist teams who live and work in the United States

Deadline:  February 4, 2019 11:59 p.m.

Download full RFQ with project site plan.

Project Site

In September 2017, Merriam voters approved a bond initiative to build a new community center, including indoor and outdoor aquatics. This new facility will replace an aging aquatic center and existing community center. It will feature a variety of amenities, including indoor and outdoor aquatics, fitness, and recreation areas, and community gathering space. A key feature of the building design is an outdoor plaza that will connect the community center, a parking structure, and a future library. The new community center will be located across from the existing City Hall and Police Department complex and will replace an approximately seven‐acre park.

The site location is in the heart of Merriam and is bordered by the aforementioned civic complex to the west, multi‐family and business sites to the south, single family homes to the east, and large commercial sites (Hobby Lobby and Ikea) to the north. Specific location(s) for public art on the Community Center site have been identified in the plaza and as an element on the adjacent parking garage. More information about this project is available at http://www.merriam.org/843/Building-Community

Timeline (subject to change)

• January 4, 2019: Artist Call/RFQ Released
• February 4, 2019: Artist Call/RFQ Closed
• February 16, 2019: Artist Selection Committee meets to select finalists and alternate
• Mid-March 2019: Approval of contracts with artists for completion of design proposals, contracts signed with finalists.
• Mid-May 2019: Finalists proposals due
• Late May 2019: Artist(s) selected by Artist Selection Committee
• Mid June 2019: Selected art proposal(s) submitted to the Merriam Public Art Committee
• July 2019: Legislation to contract with the artist(s) submitted to Council
• July 2019: Finalize contract with selected artist(s)
• July 2019 – end of Spring 2020: Fabrication
• May 2020: Installation and dedication (weather permitting)

Selection Criteria

Finalists will be selected by demonstrating the following, with each criteria weighted as indicated.

1. Artist Excellence (60%): The aesthetic significance and quality of the artwork, including the artworks transformative and distinctive qualities. Does the artist’s past work show a consistent exploration of ideas and concepts that are engaging and evolving? Does the artist have a distinctive vision that aligns with and reflects Merriam’s vision for the future? Is the artist a professional working artist with an exhibition record and/or work that has been reviewed?
2. Collaboration and Communication (20%): Experience and ability to work and collaborate with design professionals, engineers, community leaders, and artists, to communicate effectively, and to collaborate and work with a team.
3. Project Management (20%): Experience and ability to research client needs and propose an appropriate design, willingness and ability to attend frequent project meetings (whether in person, by phone, or by electronic connection). Ability to access appropriate resources when necessary, to develop an appropriate and realistic budget, to supply realistic quotes for fabrication, and to complete projects on time and within said budget. Based on the artist’s past work, can the artist provide a 10 year maintenance plan for the work(s)? Does the artist have experience completing this scale of project on time and working within this type of budget?

What to Submit

1. Statement of Interest: In 300 words or less , describe your interest and your qualifications for undertaking such a project. Be sure to address the selection criteria (below). If you are applying as an artist team, your statement of interest should reflect the work and approach of the team.
2. Resume: Please include no more than two pages outlining your professional accomplishments as an artist and any community engagement experience. Be sure to include any relevant public or private commissioning experience. If you are applying as an artist team, be sure to combine all individuals’ information into a two-page document that summarizes the team members’ qualifications. For example, a four-member team may choose to include a half-page bio for each member.
3. Media: No more than 12 images of completed work, including examples of work similar to the scope of this project. Images should be no less than 100 dpi. If you have a video that is relevant to this project (i.e. a kinetic sculpture or sound element), submit a PDF with a link to the video. Each video PDF link will count as one of your 12 images. Each video may be no longer than 3 minutes.
4. References: A list of at least three professional references that have a solid knowledge of your work and working methods, includingaddresses, email, and telephone.

Optional: You may include up to three selections of support materials such as reviews, news articles, and other related information.

If you are applying as a team, designate one artist to be the team leader to submit your information, along with team members’ image(s) and resume/bio(s). Submissions from artist teams should reflect samples from each artist on the team, and not exceed the overall submission limit of 12 images.

Any additional materials provided in excess of materials requested above will not be considered.

How to Submit

Submissions will be made by emailing a single PDF of the required elements to Lauren Crosby at Lauren@designinglocal.com Upon submission, you will be emailed an acknowledgement of submission. Submissions are due no later than 11:59pm PST on Monday, February 4, 2019.

QUESTIONS? Email project consultant Amanda Golden with Designing Local at amanda@designinglocal.com .