Website: https://www.coralgables.com/GiraldaSky
Coral Gables, FL, Unknown
The City of Coral Gables requests concept proposals from professional working artists for consideration to create an inaugural artist designed temporary overhead installation for the City’s Giralda Plaza. Artwork is sought that incorporates environmental sustainability in concept and design. Environmental sustainability for the purposes of this opportunity refers to concept, design, and/or material that addresses reuse without harm to the ecosystem.
Budget: $150,000
Eligibility: Professional artists
Deadline: March 15, 2019
NOTE: A concept sketch, narrative, and budget is required as part of the application process. Artists are not compensated for developing this concept.
View site and infrastructure diagrams and full RFP here.
ABOUT CORAL GABLES
The City of Coral Gables, The City Beautiful, is a progressive, international, coastal and historic city. Coral Gables has a population of 51,000 residents, has a vibrant downtown and is home to the University of Miami. It is proud to be ranked by Forbes.com ninth out of America’s Top 25 Towns to Live Well, and America’s sixth most successful walkable suburb by the Wall Street Journal.
The City of Coral Gables is unique among the communities of Miami-Dade County in that it can trace its beginning to the early 20th century City Beautiful movement. The spirit of the City Beautiful movement was rooted in the notion that if cities were to be the centers of American progress then the infrastructure of those cities should be something that was celebrated. From tree plantings, to a robust street construction program, to key infill investments in the downtown core, the City of Coral Gables carries on that legacy today in its approach to public works and planning.
In the past three decades, the City has experienced healthy growth, which bolstered the economic base. Growth in the commercial sector has brought in new activities for residents, including nighttime entertainment, live music, new retail options, and casual and fine dining. It has also helped maintain low property taxes. Today, Coral Gables is home to approximately 155 multinationals and 26 consulates and trade offices. The City supports the residential and business sectors with excellent City services, having attained the highest possible standards in every field. In fact, Coral Gables is the only city in the State of Florida and one of only two cities nationwide to have a Class 1 Fire Department, a fully-accredited Police Department, and the highest awarded Building and Zoning Department rating. In addition, Coral Gables has been named a “Tree City USA” for 26 consecutive years, has an award-winning Communications Division, and offers a comprehensive Parks and Recreation program.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The City of Coral Gables’ Giralda Plaza just celebrated its one-year anniversary after an extensive streetscape construction project. As a result, sidewalks were removed and the street was transformed into a pedestrian-only block with outdoor dining. Pavers were laid in a pattern of concentric circles to mimic the ripple effect of raindrops. At the center of the block is a catenary light system designed to resemble falling rain. Due to the high concentration of dining establishments, the area is also known as “Restaurant Row.” Giralda Plaza is accessible twenty-four hours a day with restaurants and businesses open every day and into the evening.
The site runs the length of the 100 block of Giralda Avenue with Galiano Street on the East end and Ponce de Leon Boulevard on the West. The block is six hundred (600) feet in length and is sixty (60) feet wide from property line to property line. In the summer of 2018, the City launched the highly successful “Umbrella Sky” at the site. The project was installed and designed by the company Sextafeira. The project used an overhead truss and cable system to fill the overhead space of Giralda Plaza with brightly colored umbrellas. The City desires to build on the success of “Umbrella Sky” with an artist-designed artwork worthy of global recognition and social engagement. The intention is to use the truss and overhead system for attachments, although other proposed means of installation will be considered.
PROJECT GOALS
The goal of Giralda Sky is to welcome residents and visitors, through art, to encourage a socially engaging experience that elicits discussion; is a gathering place for family and friends; is shared with others through social media; incites reflection; arouses curiosity and inspires repeat visits and further exploration of Coral Gables. This first artist-led temporary installation has a further goal of incorporating environmental sustainability (see brief above) as part of the concept and design.
PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITY
TIMELINE
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Plans for the available truss structure and possible methods of attachment are available through the online RFP at www.coralgables.com/GiraldaSky. Two Sections are required for each end of the Plaza.
Artwork may be positioned below the height of the canopy, provided the artwork and installation material does not interfere or present an opportunity to become tangled with the branches and leaves. The truss + ballast is approximately eighteen feet (18’) high with flexibility to increase height. The previous system used an “L” shape, right angle, at the top of the truss. However, an arched system may be possible and allow for an additional three to four feet (3’-4’) in height.
Maximum Weight of the truss support system: Span (in feet) and Weight (in pounds) 10: 4,497 20: 1,550 30: 864 40: 428
Installation of artwork must have porosity or other permeable aspect to avoid wind uplift. In the event of tropical storm winds or higher, artwork must be easily de-installed by a vendor of the City’s choosing. Most likely, this will be the team responsible for installing the truss system. The Arts Advisory Panel encourages artists to be creative with design, materials, and placement.
SELECTION PROCESS
Members of the City’s Arts Advisory Panel will evaluate artist concept proposals as set forth in the Coral Gables Art in Public Places Program: Funding, Goals and Implementation Guidelines. A short-list of artists will be asked to further develop their concept proposals for the City and will receive an artist honorium of $2,000 with the final selected artist entering into an agreement with the City to proceed with their design.
Due to the expedited timeline, a site visit is encouraged, although not necessary and will not be reimbursed. Short-listed artist designs may be considered for future installations at Giralda Plaza.
SELECTION CRITERIA
A selection panel comprised of Arts Advisory Panel members, Cultural Development Board membership, members of the business community, and a representative of the Economic Development department will review concept proposals based on the following criteria. The concept should:
The City encourages third parties, including gallery representatives, to notify their artists and submit proposals on behalf of an artist should they choose to do so. Following the RFP process, detailed proposal requests, follow-ups, and contracts will be communicated directly with the artist or their studio designee.
WHAT TO SUBMIT
HOW TO SUBMIT
Submit materials online at the City of Coral Gables grant page. A free account registration is required in order to submit materials.