The Reno Arts & Culture Commission (RACC) is accepting qualifications from artists for a public art opportunity on E. 4th Street in Reno, NV.

Budget: $165,000

Eligibility: Professional artists

Deadline: July 6, 2020

Project Description

The Reno Arts & Culture Commission received an Our Town Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support community engagement and public art creation in the City of Reno’s E. 4th Street District. E. 4th Street has undergone many transformations over the years and remains an important
part of our city’s history. There has been a recent resurgence of businesses in the area–old and new–and a desire to create a cohesive identity in the neighborhood. The City’s new master plan, Reimagine Reno, and the Downtown Action Plan, envision the area as an innovation district. This project will enhance what is already becoming a mixed-use and light industrial environment to transform East 4th Street into a vibrant location for residents and tourists. This project is an opportunity to bring together the neighborhood, businesses, and Community Assistance Center to create a sense of social cohesion, safety, and identity.

Site Information

Though 4th Street has changed over the years, it still retains its distinctive character with a mix of spaces that have been preserved including mid-century modern motels, industrial warehouses, a renovated railroad depot, a Frederic DeLongchamps designed industrial brewery (currently vacant), neon signs, the Morris Burner Hotel (the world’s first dedicated Burning Man hotel) and more. It is home to Reno’s Brewery District, featuring the first meadery in Nevada. It houses a mix of creative enterprises, storefronts, dining establishments, social services, and breweries and coffee spots that are both new and long standing. This varied combination of business types creates many opportunities to celebrate the unique culture along the corridor.

The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) recently redesigned and updated the streetscape along the corridor, so this project will need to complement the newly created work, rather than disrupting it. Their improvements included bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and street trees as well as bus
shelters that include historical information on the area. This project is a public investment in a corridor with predominantly private property ownership. The artwork will need to be on city-owned property, which significantly reduces the locations where it could be installed. This is the perfect opportunity to do something on a larger scale that could make an impact. As this is a neighborhood in a period of transformation, there is potential for the artwork to grow with the community. It is recommended that the project be focused on the Wells Avenue overpass.

Timeline

• June 2020: RFQ announced.
• July 2020: RFQ submission deadline.
• August 2020: Committee review and selection of finalists; selection results will be sent to all applicants.
• September 2020: Finalist interviews and presentations/site visit; finalists must interview in person.
• October 2020: Committee review and selection of artist/team.
• November 2020: Development of artwork; (once approved) fabrication commences.
• Summer 2021: Project installation.

Selection Process and Criteria

Phase 1 – selecting three finalists
The submitted qualifications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of the Public Art Committee of the RACC and community representatives. Selection of finalists will be based on the following criteria:

• Quality of letter of interest.
• Quality of work samples.
• Ability to complete the project based on bio and previous work.
• Ability to come to Reno in September of 2020 for presentation and site-visit (this may be virtual if necessary due to current events).

Phase 2 – selecting one artist/team for the project
Finalists will be paid a stipend of $1000 and travel will be paid for. Finalists will be interviewed by the selection committee and in front of the general public. They will be asked to submit proposals for a final design based on the community input and interviews. The PAC and community representatives
will review final proposals. Selection of a finalist artist/team will be based on the following criteria:

• Appropriateness of design and materials for site.
• Responsiveness of design/artwork to community input.
• Ability to complete project within timeline and budget.

What to Submit

1. Resume or CV: Current professional resume or curriculum vitae (CV), detailing professional artistic accomplishments and references from past public art projects, including bio and artist address, email, and phone number. Submit information for all team members.
2. Work Samples: 5 digital images of recent previously completed artwork. Include date, size, location, budget, and description of work.
3. Letter of Interest: Address how the applicant’s previous experience and current artistic direction will result in a successful public art project

How to Submit

Submit ONLINE ONLY through CODAworx.

QUESTIONS? Contact Megan Berner, Public Art Program Coordinator, City of Reno at bernerm@reno.gov or 775-326-6333.