The State of California will implement a permanent Public Art Program in Sacramento in conjunction with two new build projects, the New Natural Resource Headquarters, and the Health and Human Services Building. The Public Art Program aims to inspire world-class public artworks, engaging diverse voices in shaping our civic spaces. It is an opportunity for artists to create within the rich contexts of the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), California Health and Human Services (CHHS).

Budget: $960,000 (combined: 4 opportunities total)
Eligibility : Professional artists over 18 living in the US; preference for artists living/working in California or with a clear connection to California
Deadline: 09/20/2020 6:00 PM Central Time

Full RFQ with site descriptions available here.

Project Description
Four unique public art commission opportunities are open to artists through this Request for Qualifications (RFQ). A short-list of artists will be selected from the RFQ respondents and will be invited to participate in a funded proposal round, Request for Proposals (RFP). The final commissions will be selected and awarded from the proposing artists.

Artists are encouraged to take time looking at each opportunity and applying to the commission that best suits their interests and practice. Artists may apply to more than one commission opportunity but must apply separately to each. Artists should submit Statements of Qualification (SOQ) with artwork samples and letters of interest relevant to the specific commission to which they are applying, even when applying to multiple commissions. We invite artists to engage critically with the mission of the California Natural Resource Agency and California Health and Human Services, as well as the vision outlined in the Public Art Plan.

Artwork Location Description
This open call for artists offers four commission opportunities across two new build projects in Sacramento. The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and California Health and Human Services (CHHS) agencies are relocating to state-of-the-art buildings in the capitol area of Sacramento.

Artwork Budget Details

The Open Call RFQ budget totals $960,000 across four open call commissions. • CNRA Auditorium Courtyard: $400,000 • CNRA Lobby Wall: $200,000 • CHHS O Street Entrance: $300,000 • CHHS Café Restroom and Corridor: $60,000. Commission budgets are inclusive of Artist or Artist Team fees, artwork fabrication and installation, insurance, engineering, and artwork transportation. The commission budget does not include signage, the artwork lighting, foundations, or structural or MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) connections required to install the artworks and will be funded through a separate budget.

Timeline

• RFQ released – Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019
• RFQ question deadline – Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, 5:00 PM (PST)
• RFQ question responses posted – Friday, Sept. 6, 2019
• RFQ submission deadline – Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 at 5:00 PM (PST)

Selection Process
A three-member Art Panel will make the selection of artists. Representatives include; Anne Bown-Crawford, Executive Director, California Arts Council (CAC); Dan Kim, Director, California Department of General Services (DGS); Karen Ulep, Marketing and Creative Services Manager, Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA); with advise by Daphne Burgess, Community & Engagement Coordinator at the Crocker Museum.  The Art Consultant will evaluate responses to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ), presenting a short-list of Artists or Artist Teams to the Art Panel for selection. Selected Artists or Artist Teams will be invited to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) with a stipend for the development and submission of a concept and design proposal. The Art Consultant and design-build teams will evaluate the submitted proposals, and the Art Panel will select the Artists or Artists Teams to award the commissions.

Selection Criteria
During the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) stage, responses, called Statements of Qualification (SOQ) will be evaluated across the following criteria. In addition, California based artists or artists who demonstrate a strong connection to California will be given priority in selection.

• The Artist or Artist Team exhibits strong artistic quality as demonstrated by their past work.
• Sample artworks articulate appropriateness in creative expression to the commission and express the ability of the Artist or Artist Team to execute the project within the designated timeline and budget.
• Quality may also be assessed by the written responses conceptual engagement with the commission’s context.
• The Artist or Artist Team shows a commitment to sustainability by demonstrating an understanding of environmentally sound fabrication methods, sustainable materials, and efforts to minimize or offset environmental footprints through their written responses or as evident in prior artworks.
• Cultural and racial equity will be considered when selecting Artists or Artist Teams, and when reviewing sample artworks in terms of the demographics of the chosen artists, the cultural communities served and the diverse perspectives represented within the artworks.

What to Submit

1. Artist or Artist Team Contact Information (teams must provide info for each team member, and one artist must be identified as the lead contact for the team)
2. Statement of Interest (max. 1000 words) that 1) articulates the Artist or Artists Teams interest in developing a public art proposal for the specific commission to which they are applying 2) provides context to their conceptual and aesthetic approach, highlighting prior artworks, projects, or commissions, and 3) outlines examples of their engagement with or interest in sustainability through their practice or conceptual frameworks
3. Resume/CV (pdf document upload) of Artists or Artist Teams (Artist Teams should provide separate Resume/CV for each team member)
4. Documentation of Past Projects (media file uploads of pdf, image, video, or audio files) with project notations that include title, year, dimensions, media/materials, and a brief description. Include project website, client, budget, and location information if applicable.

How to Submit

Submit online at http://www.publicartca.dysonwomack.com

QUESTIONS? Questions regarding the RFQ should be submitted online at http://www.publicartCA.dysonwomack.com. All questions and answers regarding the RFQ open call and process will be shared publicly.  The deadline for submission of questions is Friday, August 30th, 2019, at 5:00 PM (PST). Responses will be posted on Friday, September 6th, 2019. For more information, contact info@dysonwomack.com