Public art to complete a major streetscape
Request for Qualifications:
Total funding: $650,000 for an estimated six to ten installations
Submission deadline: March 1, 2015 by 11:59 p.m. EST.
Download full printable RFQ here
The Connective Corridor in partnership with the Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts invites artists to submit letters of interest and qualifications, along with initial concepts, to be considered for the commission of permanent artwork to be installed at various sites along the Connective Corridor in Syracuse, NY.
The call is open to all professional artists and artist teams, based locally, nationally, and internationally. Selected artists should demonstrate expertise in creative placemaking and are welcome to propose work in all media and materials. Creative placemaking is an evolving field of practice that leverages the power of the arts, culture and creativity within the context of community revitalization in ways that catalyze positive economic and social change, and enhance quality of life.
The selection panel is interested in commissioning artists or design teams who are enthusiastic about engaging and collaborating with the university and community on finalized designs for installation. Artists may propose one installation or a thematic series of installations at sites along the Connective Corridor. See map here.
Installations will become permanent public art located on properties along the Connective Corridor streetscape. Works in the public right-of-way must be accepted, owned and maintained by the City of Syracuse through the Syracuse Public Art Commission (SPAC).
Conceptual Theme
The Connective Corridor is an initiative of Syracuse University, the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County that embodies best practices in urban design. Illumination has been a “literal” theme of the Connective Corridor, including innovative lighting projects that highlight the City’s iconic architecture and urban spaces. Public art along the Connective Corridor will “metaphorically” illuminate the city as a vibrant, radiant place to live, work and engage. Proposals do not need to incorporate lighting as a primary element, but applicants should consider how their work might be creatively illuminated after dark.
All media and materials will be considered. The jury is looking for meaningful enduring work that is informed by the physical aspects of the specific site, as well as Syracuse’s overall historical and cultural context. Applicants are encouraged to think about how their proposals relate to creative placemaking within Syracuse. Engagement will be an important component of this project and successful applicants will work with the steering committee, comprised of university and community members, to finalize proposals. In addition to submitting a Resume/CV, artists are asked to submit a personal statement that reflects why they are interested in a public art project in Syracuse, as well as their approach to community engagement.
Applicants are encouraged to articulate how their conceptual proposals or their body of work relates to the goals of the overall Connective Corridor project
Location and Budget
Projects must be located on properties along the Connective Corridor streetscape. The Connective Corridor is a two-mile east-west urban pathway from Syracuse University to the heart of downtown Syracuse. The “Civic Strip” of the Connective Corridor is a north-south loop around Syracuse’s arts, cultural, heritage, and downtown tourism/convention district. Sixteen potential locations have been pre-identified as possible areas of interest, however artists are encouraged to explore other locations directly on the Connective Corridor.
The Connective Corridor has allocated $650,000 for permanent public art through this solicitation. These funds will be split among finalists, and the amount per project may vary depending on the scale of the work and site, and the nature of the proposal. It is anticipated that individual awards will range from $50,000 to $75,000 per installation, however a larger award could be made for a significant proposal at a key site. The panel will also consider larger awards to an artist or design team for a series of installations that “connect” a number of sites thematically. Smaller proposals for modest projects will also be considered. Each award will be structured as a lump sum all-inclusive “design-build” contract for permanent art. Applicants should factor in all costs, including artist’s design fees (including travel), all materials, fabrication, and final installation (including necessary sub-contracted services). Artists are responsible for installation.
The project is funded through a grant to Syracuse University from Empire State Development.
Submission Deadline
All responses must be received at the link below no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on March 1, 2015. All materials must be submitted online, via the CaFÉ™ website (www.callforentry.org). There is no application fee to apply or to use the CaFÉ™ online application system.
https://www.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=2396&sortby=fair_name&apply=yes
Complete Project Details
Applicants are advised to download the full RFQ for complete project details along with information on the timeline, and application/review/selection process.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Questions may be addressed to [email protected]
