RFQ Extended! Memphis Artist Wanted for Parkways Emblem!

Site and Project Descriptions
UrbanArt and the City of Memphis are working together to create an emblem representative of the Memphis Parkways fabricated in the form of an ornamental metalwork piece. The final artwork is intended to function as a symbol identifying the Parkways system that will be replicated along the length of the 11.5 mile network up to 20 times.

Artists will be selected based on previous experience with graphic design projects, way- finding devices, and/or metalwork fabrication. Artists are expected to have the technical capabilities to design and install such projects. Finished projects must require little to no regular maintenance. The selection committee is interested in artists who have experience with vandalism deterring methods and applications. Final artwork should compliment the characteristics and identity of the Parkways as a cohesive route. The selected artist shall be expected to conduct community workshops with the general public for education purposes. Possible themes and style considerations are the history of the Parkways system, as well as fauna and wildlife found along the Parkways, although applicants are also encouraged to bring other concepts into the process.

The selection committee will select 3 finalists based on their qualifications, then interview each individually before selecting 1 artist (or artist team). Finalists must provide a design proposal prior to their interview, for which each shall receive $1,500.00.

Budget:    $44,700 for design and fabrication of 20 pieces and bases.
Deadline:  4:00 PM, Friday, August 20, 2010
Eligibility:  Artists living in Memphis or Shelby County for 5 years, including students.    

Guidelines
Please see http://www.urbanartcommission.org/sampledocuments.html, particularly the UrbanArt Artist Handbook, for more information about applying to UrbanArt projects and how the selection process works.

Please submit the following:
• Typed, one-page letter that explains your interest in this project and your general artistic     approach to it.
• A sketch may be included, but must be no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches. Please do not send original artwork.
• Resumé, not to exceed 2 pages.
• Recent DIGITAL images of your work that are relevant to this project and are accurate representations of your present style of work. Send up to 10 digital images in JPEG format, 1920 pixels maximum on the longest side, 72 dpi, with compression settings resulting in the best image quality under 2MB file size.
• Image identification sheet with location, brief description, and budget of each project
• List of three professional references, including current phone numbers and email addresses.
• Self-addressed, stamped envelope with postage sufficient for the return of your materials. Materials will not be returned without one.

Send applications to:
   
UrbanArt
Attn: Parkways Emblem
2549 Broad Avenue
Memphis, TN 38112

For more information contact:
Rodney Coleman, Projects Manager
(901) 454-0472 / rcoleman@urbanartcommission.org

All proposals must be received by 4:00 PM, Friday, August 20, 2010.

To ensure fairness to all, there are no extensions or waivers of deadlines.

Applicants will be notified by letter as to the status of their application.

Commissioning of artists by UrbanArt and the pursuit of all UrbanArt activities are
implemented without preference to racial or ethnic origins, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability or age.

UrbanArt reserves the right to modify this solicitation and to request additional information or proposals from any or all participating artists.

UrbanArt reserves the right to accept or reject, at any time prior to the commissioning of a work, any or all proposals when the acceptance, rejection, waiver or advertisement would be in the best interest of the project. In addition,  UrbanArt may solicit proposals from artists not responding to this call and reserves the right to select an artist outside of the pool of artists responding to this call.

The staff of UrbanArt shall be responsible for all correspondence and communication by and between applicants and members of selection panels. Discussion regarding these projects by and between any applicant and any member of a selection panel outside of regularly scheduled meetings during the selection process may be grounds for the disqualification of the applicant. Such determination shall be in the sole discretion of UrbanArt.