The San Francisco Arts Commission invites artists and artist teams to submit qualifications for the Alameda Creek Watershed Public Art Project. Opportunities include a large outdoor sculpture and locations in a garden setting.

Budget: $500,000 (all-inclusive)
Eligibility: Professional artists living in the United States
Deadline: 08/28/2019 11:59 PM Central Time

Review full RFQ here.

Project Description
The goals of the Alameda Creek Watershed Center Public Art Project are to commission an artwork for the Center’s gardens or 30′ diameter garden entrance plaza that acknowledges the historical and contemporary presence of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe in the Alameda Creek Watershed; highlights the Watershed’s diverse natural resources and role in the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) water supply system; and serves as a focal point, yet is integrated with the site and surroundings.

Site History
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is currently constructing the Alameda Creek Watershed Center (ACWC) in Sunol near the Sunol Water Temple as part of its effort to improve its existing facilities in the Sunol Yard. Located on the aboriginal homeland of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Center’s mission is to educate the public about the Alameda Creek Watershed, the SFPUC water system, and the history and heritage of the Muwekma Ohlone people through interpretive and interactive exhibits. The nearby Sunol Valley Water Temple, a 1910 beaux-arts landmark, marks the confluence of three sources of water flowing into Sunol Valley. Adjacent to the Temple is the Sunol AgPark, 18 acres of land that support small-scale sustainable farms that provide fresh food to Bay Area communities, as well as hands-on environmental education and job training. Construction on the Alameda Creek Watershed Center is scheduled for completion in Summer 2021.

Timeline

• RFQ Issued: July 11, 2019
• RFQ Deadline: August 28, 2019
• Artist Qualification Panel: Week of September 2, 2019
• Artist Selection Panel One: Week of September 9, 2019
• Artist Finalists Orientation: Week of October 7, 2019
• Finalist Conceptual Proposals Due: November 22, 2019
• Public Display of Proposals: November 27 – December 11, 2019
• Final Artist Selection Panel: December 16, 2019
• VAC Approval: December 18, 2019
• Arts Commission Approval: January 6, 2020
• Artist Under Contract: January 2020

Selection Process
RFQ applications will be reviewed by an Artist Qualification Panel consisting of two arts professionals and one SFAC staff, who will review and score applications to identify the short list of qualified artists to be considered for the project opportunity, based on the criteria listed below.

The list of qualified artists will be presented to the Alameda Creek Watershed Center Project Selection Panel, consisting of one representative of the SFPUC, one Arts Commissioner, one community member, one representative of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, and three arts professionals. The panel will identify at least three finalists who will be invited to develop conceptual, site-specific proposals after attending an orientation session with the project team and key stakeholders. If chosen as a finalist, the artist will be paid an honorarium of $2,000 for the development of a conceptual design proposal, plus the reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses approved by the Arts Commission prior to travel arrangements being made for the orientation and panel interview. The proposals shall be displayed at a location in proximity to the project site for written public comment prior to the final selection panel meeting.

The Alameda Creek Watershed Center Project Selection Panel will reconvene to consider the finalists’ proposals in an interview format, as well as a summary of public comments, and will selection one artist and an alternate for the project for recommendation to the Arts Commission.

Selection Criteria

ARTIST QUALIFICATION PANEL CRITERIA:

• Artistic excellence, innovation, originality, and appropriateness for public space as evidenced by representations of past work and other supporting materials
• The artist’s work is judged to be appropriate to the goals of the project
• The artist’s professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project, including working in a large scale.
• The artist is available to consult with the community and Muwekma Ohlone Tribe representatives in the development of the artwork design.
• The artist is available to participate in the design, approval, and implementation of the project as required.

ARTIST SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS:

• Complete application submitted prior to the application deadline
• Artwork examples submitted represent the artist’s own original, creative work
• The artist’s work reflects artistic excellence, innovation, and originality, as evidenced by professional quality of craftsmanship and master of skills, techniques, professional approaches to processes and presentation, and/or communicate a unique vision or perspective.
• The artist’s work is judged to be appropriate to the goals of the project, including working in a large scale.
• The artist’s professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project. Qualifying activities would include some combination of the following: education and training as an artist; an exhibition record in museums, commercial art galleries, and/or non-profit art spaces; previous public or private commissions; participation in artist-in-residency programs or other related activities indicative of a professional art practice.
• The artist is available to consult with community and Muwekma Ohlone Tribe representatives in the development of the artwork design.
• The artist is available to participate in the design, approval, and implementation of the project as required.
• Assessed ability to meet project deadlines and to perform work in a timely and professional manner.
• Results of reference checks for project finalists.

What to Submit

Application materials must include:

1. a letter of interest (5,000 characters maximum), a resume (25,000 characters maximum),
2. ten images of previous work (up to 5MB, at least 72 dpi and no larger than 1280 x 1280 pixels), and
3. image descriptions (title, dimensions, medium, year, and a brief statement about each work).

How to Submit

Applications are available through SlideRoom, an online application system for calls for entry. There is no charge to artists for using SlideRoom. Please be sure to allow adequate time to submit your application as technical difficulties can occur. Applications that are mailed, faxed, emailed, or hand-delivered will not be considered.

QUESTIONS? Contact art-info@sfgov.org