The Arts & Science Council is accepting qualifications from artists for a public art opportunity at the upcoming Charlotte Water Zone Four Field Operation facility. The selected artist will work with the ASC, Charlotte Water staff, C Design, and local communities to create artwork that is complementary to the architectural design of the facility and reflect the service of Charlotte Water and the history and character of West Charlotte. The selected artist or artist team will be expected to engage with both Charlotte Water staff and area residents to develop the concept for their work.

Budget: $195,500

Eligibility: Professional artists residing in the United States (additional eligibility below)

Deadline: June 7, 2019 by 11:59 p.m. E.S.T.

Download full RFQ with site images here.

Project Background

In operation since 1889, Charlotte Water is a vital community resource serving more than a million customers in the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County – including the towns of Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, Huntersville, Davidson, and Cornelius. Zone Four serves residents and supports operations in Uptown, South End, and the Dixie-Berryhill areas of Charlotte. As the largest public water and wastewater utility in the Carolinas, Charlotte Water treats an average 78.1 million gallons of wastewater daily, which culminated in a yearly total of 28.4 billion gallons in 2018. Last year Charlotte Water Field Operation staff maintained and rehabilitated 6.9 miles of water pipes, 15.75 miles of wastewater pipes, cleaned 1,168 miles of wastewater pipes, and repaired 3,950 water leaks.

The new Zone Four Field Operations Facility, located at 4100 West Tyvola Road, will replace the existing facility due to its age and size. The current building was installed in 1972 as temporary space for just the Wastewater Collections Division, with plans to replace it with a permanent facility. More than 45 years later, Zone Four now houses field operations staff for both water and wastewater, the lift stations group, which services more than 80 lift stations, and will include a new maintenance shop. This new LEED-certified facility will support more than 85 Charlotte Water employees and include community space for local residents.

Project Overview 

The selected artist will have the opportunity to create engaging, freestanding artwork/s that are complementary to the sites. Two site locations have been identified as possible opportunities for artwork placement: the front entrance along Tyvola Road and the plaza space directly adjacent to the facility. The selected artist/s may choose to site artwork at either or both sites. The artwork should be visually impactful, so scale, materials, and project budget will need to be closely considered.

The Tyvola Road entrance site will be highly visible to vehicular traffic. Artwork sited at this location should serve as a landmark representing Charlotte Water and the communities of West Charlotte. For security purposes, access to the Zone Four Field Operations facility is limited. Charlotte Water staff will primarily enjoy artwork sited at the facility plaza with local residents encountering the artwork during visits to the facility’s community space.

Art Goals and Criteria

This opportunity should achieve a cohesive and unique aesthetic experience that is distinguished from, yet sensitive to, the site.

Tyvola Road Entrance Site:

• Artwork should be sited within the areas designated for the opportunity and should not impede traffic sight lines.
• Artwork sited at this location should serve as a landmark representing Charlotte Water and West Charlotte.
• Artwork should address vehicular traffic.
• Artwork will need to address CDOT requirements for motorist safety.

Zone Four Field Operation Facility Plaza:

• Artwork should be sited within the areas designated for the opportunity.
• Artwork could potentially incorporate seating.
• Artwork should be complementary to the architectural design of the facility and reflect the service of Charlotte Water and the history and character of West Charlotte.

Overall Criteria:

• Artwork should reflect the service of Charlotte Water and the history and character of West Charlotte.
• Artwork should be constructed of durable materials and be permanent in nature.
• Final design will be subject to approval by the Public Art Commission, owner, and project team

Artist Eligibility

This call is open to all artists residing in the United States. Artists who have received a commission or purchase for over $25,000 from the Arts & Science Council cannot be considered for another commission or purchase for 3 years after the date of a signed contract or letter of agreement. Architects interested in applying must have successfully completed at least three (3) public art projects (that are distinguished from infrastructure design) within the last five (5) years to be considered eligible to participate in this opportunity. Eligibility must be demonstrated in the application materials submitted.

Selection Process

This solicitation process enables the Public Art Commission to identify the most highly qualified artist(s) for this opportunity. An artist selection panel of local and national arts professionals and community stakeholders appointed by the Public Art Commission will review eligible artists’ applications, determine a shortlist of finalists, interview three finalists, and select one artist or team of artists. The selected artist or team of artists will be recommended to the Public Art Commission and the Board of the Arts & Science Council for final approval and to enter into contractual agreement for this project.

Selection Criteria

The artist will be selected based on the following criteria, as evidenced in application materials and conversations with listed references:

• artist meets all eligibility requirements
• 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.

Project Timeline

• May 3, 2019: Request for Qualifications released
• June 7, 2019: Artist application submission deadline
• June 2019: Artist selection panel reviews applications and selects 3 finalists
• July 2019: Artist selection panel interviews finalists and selects one artist/team
• April 2020:  Facility construction begins
• Fall 2021:  Substantial completion of project

How To Apply

Applications must be received via SlideRoom (https://asc.slideroom.com) by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 7, 2019. There is no application fee to apply or use the SlideRoom online application system.

The following materials will be required to be uploaded to SlideRoom:

1. Credentials: Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) demonstrating professional history and skills or experience as a professional artist (maximum two (2) pages). For artist teams, each team member must submit an individual resume (two (2) pages maximum each)
2. Statement of Interest: A brief introductory narrative that also provides insight about your interest in the project (one (1) page maximum)
3. Images: Up to eight (8) images or three (3) digital video or movie files limited to two minutes each – of recent work completed within the past ten (10) years
4. Annotation: Titles, date, budget, client, media, and dimensions of artwork
5. References: Three (3) professional references who can speak to the artist’s ability to meet deadlines, work with community, and create innovative work as part of a design team. Include name, organization, phone number, and email.

QUESTIONS?  Contact Todd Stewart, Senior Program Director, Public Art: (704) 335-3273 or email todd.stewart@artsandscience.org.