UrbanArt RFQ for Direct Purchase Program

UrbanArt Request for Qualifications for Direct Purchase Program

Direct Purchase Program Descriptions:

UrbanArt and the City of Memphis are seeking to purchase works by local artists for the City of Memphis Direct Purchase Program. The Direct Purchase shall be comprised of a collection of artworks by local artists and shall represent a diverse range of medium, style, subject matter and scale.

Artists will be selected based on the content of their portfolio and previous experience as a practicing artist. Artists are also expected to have the technical capabilities to advise the selection committee on the installation and maintenance of the proposed works. The work must require little to no regular maintenance.  Two-dimensional works suitable for wall installation will be given preference.  Submitted artwork should be installation-ready and should not require framing.  Three-dimensional artwork will only be considered if the artist also proposes a way to secure and protect the artwork in a public space.

Purpose of the Direct Purchase Program:

• To acquire and display of a collection of moveable artworks by the Memphis artists in public venues throughout the City of Memphis, as well as:
• Provide community members with aesthetic and educational experiences from artworks in public places.
• Stimulate broader interest in artworks created by artists working and living in the City of Memphis.
• Provide greater opportunities for local artists to participate in the City of Memphis Percent for Art Program.
• Provide a cultural archive for future generations of citizens.

The selection committee will select artworks based on their quality.

Budget:      Works between $500 and $2,500     

Deadline:    4:00 PM, Friday 3 December 2010

Eligibility:    Artists living in Memphis or Shelby County for 2 years   

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 of interest that notes your interest in applying to the City of Memphis Direct Purchase Program.
• Resumé, not to exceed 2 pages.
• Recent DIGITAL images of your work that are suitable for installation in high traffic interior settings and are good representations of your 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 title, medium, date, and price information
• 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.
• Materials may also be submitted electronically in PDF format via email to: info@urbanartcommission.org

Send applications to: 

UrbanArt Commission

Attn: Direct Purchase Program

2549 Broad Avenue

Memphis, TN 38112

For more information contact:

Whitney Ranson, Projects Manager

(901) 454-0475 / wranson@urbanartcommission.org

All proposals must be received by 4:00 PM, Friday 3 December 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.

UrbanArt's mission is to enhance the cultural vibrancy of our community through the development of public art.