RFQ - Public Art Installation in or around Roundabout

CALL FOR ARTISTS / REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

City of Muscatine, Iowa

Public Art

Deadline for Submission: March 1, 2021

Project Organizer: City of Muscatine Public Art Advisory Commission

Contact: Melanie Alexander, Staff Liaison to Public Art Advisory Commission and

Director of the Muscatine Art Center, malexander@muscatineiowa.gov, 563-263-8282

Project Budget: base amount of $25,000 (potentially greater for an exemplary project)

INTRODUCTION

The City of Muscatine’s Public Art Advisory Commission announces a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify three qualified artists to develop site-specific public art proposals in and/or surrounding the newly constructed roundabout at Mulberry Avenue and Second Street in Muscatine, Iowa.

The RFQ is the first phase of a three-phased process concluding with the installation of a single public art project. The Public Art Advisory Commission will select three artists from the RFQ. Each selected artist will receive a stipend of $750 to develop their public art concept. The three concept projects will then be presented for broad community input and selection. One artist will be selected for the third phase of fabrication and installation.

ELIGIBILITY / MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Professional or emerging/student artists 21 years of age and older residing in Iowa and neighboring states may apply. Artists who are full-time employees of the City of Muscatine are not eligible to apply. The application is open to individuals who meet these requirements regardless of race, color, national origin (ancestry), sex, sexual preference/orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, marital or parental status, creed, religion or political beliefs, mental or physical disability, genetic information or status as a veteran. Artists must have the ability to travel to Muscatine, Iowa to complete the installation.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS (forms and details provided on pages 8-9)

Application Form with signature and list of two references

Letter of Interest – Tell us why the project is a good fit for you. (2 page limit)

Resume/CV (3 page limit)

Images of prior projects, preferably public art installations, (limited to 8 images, file size not to exceed 10mb)

EVALUATION

Submissions will be evaluated only if the application is complete, received by the deadline, and requirements are met. The Public Art Advisory Commission will make selections based on the artist’s prior work, the artist’s ability to complete and deliver a project that meets the stated goals, and the reasoning provided in the artist’s letter of interest. During the selection process, artists may be asked to participate in an interview, and references may be contacted.  

PUBLIC ART GOALS

The City of Muscatine’s Public Art Advisory Commission is open to a range of project ideas from multi-piece installations to a single, more “monumental” element. The goal is to install a permanent work that reflects the Muscatine community and/or its history, is unique to Muscatine, can be easily maintained, is designed to be durable, and will not impede the safety of motorists or pedestrians. The Advisory Commission will consider artists who work in materials and forms that meet these criteria.

CITY of MUSCATINE

Muscatine is a vibrant Mississippi River community where a rich tradition of community pride and entrepreneurial spirit has created an outstanding environment to live and work. Muscatine values its history, has a strong sense of community, is rich in cultural and economic diversity, and has strong global connections.

SITE VICINITY

The site of the public art project serves as the gateway into Muscatine’s historic downtown. Within the neighboring blocks of the roundabout, drivers and pedestrians pass by the headquarters for HNI Corporation, the historic Muscatine County courthouse, the Muscatine library / community center, downtown’s historic three-story buildings with storefronts and upstairs apartments, and the Mississippi River.

TIMELINE*

RFQ for Artists Released: December 1, 2020

RFQ Submission Deadline: March 1, 2021 at 5:00pm local time

Selected Artists for Phase-Two Notification: April 16, 2021

Phase Two Kick-Off Meetings – Question & Answer Session (online meetings): late April 2021

Selected Artists Complete Proposal Deadline: September 7, 2021 at 5:00pm local time

Community Engagement Phase Completed: January 10, 2022

Notification to Artist for Selected Project (one artist selected for Phase Three): January 28, 2022

Artwork Fabrication Phase: February 1 through June 30, 2022

Artwork Installation: Summer 2022

*This timeline takes into account uncertainty related to COVID-19, especially to allow for community engagement involving citizens and other stakeholders. If the process moves more quickly, and participating artists are amenable, the timeline could be adjusted.