Toledo Tunnels Mural Project Seeks Artists

Toledo Tunnels Mural Project Seeks Artists

Website: https://theartscommission.org/stories/request-for-qualifications

 419-254-2787, Ext. 1011

 Toledo, OH, Unknown

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo’s Art in Public Places Program is soliciting qualifications from artists who specialize in producing large-scale murals to beautify sections of the Downtown Toledo tunnel system. Art in Public Places will select up to two artists to paint murals within the tunnels to create an engaging experience for pedestrians walking to and from the Vistula Parking Garage into One Seagate and to and from the lower entrance of the Imagination Station.

BUDGET: Phase 1: $25,000;  Phase 2: TBD

ELIGIBILITY: Artists over 18 living in the continental U.S.

DEADLINE: April 17, 2020

Download full RFQ with site images here.

PROJECT INTENT
In light of the recent revitalization of the Summit Street Corridor in Downtown Toledo, an effort is underway to enhance the tunnel system that connects many buildings along Summit St. The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo’s Art in Public Places Program is soliciting qualifications from artists who specialize in producing large-scale murals to beautify sections of the Downtown Toledo tunnel system. Art in Public Places will select up to two artists to paint murals within the tunnels to create an engaging experience for pedestrians walking to and from the Vistula Parking Garage into One Seagate and to and from the lower entrance of the Imagination Station. Stakeholders include The City of Toledo, The Arts Commission, One Seagate, ProMedica Health System, The Imagination Station, The Renaissance Hotel, Toledo Police Department, YMCA, The Toledo Design Collective and The Collaborative Architects.

Selected artist(s) will be expected to execute the following tasks:

  • Complete one (1) conceptual design, and once approved, submit one (1) final design
  • Paint a mural at a designated location within the Tunnel.

SITE SPECIFICATIONS

There are two phases to this project. Phase 1 is fully funded and will proceed according to the attached schedule. Phase 2 will be fully funded in 2021.

PHASE 1

Phase 1 involves the concourse that connects the Vistula Parking Garage and One Seagate. This concourse is the main entrance to the tunnel system from the Vistula Garage and is used by visitors to One Seagate, The Renaissance Hotel, Imagination Station, The Collaborative Inc., The Toledo Design Collective and more. A few of these businesses have recently relocated to downtown as part of the reinvigoration of the Downtown Toledo. The tunnel is a “first impression” for many visitors to Toledo. The large, two-story sculpture, City Candy, is also located to the entrance of the tunnel system and acts as a landmark to the site.

  • Approximate dimensions for each wall: L: 116’ H: 8’2”-9’4”
  • Approximate surface area for both walls: 2,049 Sq. Feet.

PHASE 2

Phase 2 involves the tunnel below the Renaissance Hotel that leads to the lower entrance of the Imagination Station. Many families park in Vistula Parking Garage to visit the Imagination Station traverse this tunnel. Imagination Station is in the midst of its first-ever expansion. They broke ground on a new 8,200-square-foot addition that will include a premium, large format theater, a new science center store, concessions area and redesigned lobby.

  • Available Surface Area: 1477 Sq. Feet

TIMELINE

  • March 17, 2020: RFQ Direct Call Launched
  • April 17, 2020: Deadline for Submission of Qualifications
  • April 23, 2020: Start RFQ Review
  • April 29, 2020: Finalists Notified
  • May 27, 2020: Start of Site Visits
  • July 1, 2020: Proposals Due, Finalist Presentations Start
  • July 8, 2020: Winner is Announced / Commission Awarded
  • August 10, 2020: Final Designs Due
  • September 10, 2020: Installation Begins (Details TBD)

FINALISTS

During the preliminary selection meeting, up to three artists or artist teams will be chosen as finalists by the design review board and invited to submit a proposal for consideration. Each finalist will be paid $1000 for all expenses related to the development of the proposal. The Arts Commission will reimburse expenses related to site visits, interviews and any other expenses related to this phase of the process including travel, lodging and meals.
Artists are responsible for providing accurate contact information to The Arts Commission. A phone interview may also be conducted at the discretion of the design review board during the final artist selection meeting.

WHAT TO SUBMIT

Artists and artist teams who are interested in this project must prepare and submit the following items. Text documents must be submitted in PDF formats. No other text formats will be accepted. Proposals are not requested at this stage.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

  • Letter of Interest: The letter should be no more than one page and should explain the artist’s interest in the
    project.
  • Resume: If submitting as a team, one resume for each team member should be submitted.
  • 10 Digital Images: Submit 10 digital images of your professional mural work. Images must be submitted in the
    following format:

      • Format: JPEG: Submit only “High” quality JPEGs (do not use GIFs, TIFFs, PDFs or other formats)
      • Image Size: Images must be at least 9.5” on the longest side saved at 72 dpi.
      • File Labeling: Files must be titled with a number indicating the viewing order, followed by the artist’s last name. The numbers must correspond to the accompanying Image List. Use “0” in front of single digit numbers. Do not use more than 30 characters, and use only letters, numbers and underscores. example: 01_Smith.jpg
      • Number Order: Please note that the Design Review Board will review a limited portfolio in round one of the selection process. In this round, candidates will either move on to round two or be eliminated based on images 01, 02, and 03 of their portfolio. Candidates should organize their images accordingly and ensure that their body of work is best represented in these first 3 images.
  • Image List: Submit an image list corresponding to the submitted digital images. Each entry on the image list should include the following:
    • image number
    • artist’s name
    • title of work
    • medium
    • date of work
    • dimensions
    • project budget
  • 3 Professional References: Submit a list of at least three professional references that have an intimate knowledge of the artist’s work and working methods. The list must include complete addresses and telephone numbers, email addresses.

OPTIONAL MATERIALS

  • Statement of intent (1 page maximum): Individuals or teams may choose to include a short written statement discussing concepts for this project. Individuals or teams may briefly outline a specific idea for a project or may discuss a less formalized direction for a work. Please do not include budgets, sketches, models or renderings at the preliminary stage. NOTE: Panel members will be aware that the statement of intent is an optional component and it will not count against an artist or team not to include one. This is provided as an option in order to benefit emerging artists with fewer qualifications.

HOW TO SUBMIT

All requested materials should be uploaded here. No physical submissions will be accepted.

QUESTIONS?  Contact Nathan Mattimoe, Art in Public Places Coordinator of the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo at 419-254-2787, Ext. 1011 or at nmattimoe@theartscommission.org.