Request for Proposals Centennial Initiatives Fund Project: Okanagan Art Legacy 2016 Project Overview The primary vision and goal of this project is to provide an enduring Indigenous presence on campus outside of the currently established Aboriginal Centre in the form of a cultural visual artistic expression by a Syilx artist. Ongoing discussions with Aboriginal community members, students, staff, and faculty have highlighted the importance of a physical environment that welcomes community members to the territory of the Syilx Okanagan people. It is important for the University Community to recognize the significance of Aboriginal cultures and identities reflected in the learning environment. The project is one of many celebrating UBC s Centennial year and UBC Okanagan s tenth year. Background In September 2005, the Okanagan Nation officially welcomed UBC to Okanagan Nation territory in an official ceremony, Knaqs npi lsmist, where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Okanagan Nation Alliance and a Memorandum of Agreement was signed with the Okanagan Nation Indian Education Resource Society. This welcoming and signing of agreements was witnessed by Okanagan Nation Leaders, Elders and community members. During UBC s centennial celebration and the Okanagan campus s tenth year celebration, UBC and the Okanagan Nation Alliance renewed the Memorandum of Understanding and commitment. The University of British Columbia s Okanagan Campus sits at the northern edge of the City of Kelowna, which is the most populous city in the largest regional urban area in the southern interior of the province. The City lies in a beautiful natural setting and benefits significantly from healthy agriculture, tourism, sports and retail sectors. The university has been a growing part of Kelowna since 2005 and contributes significantly to the local culture, economy, and identity. UBC is consistently ranked among the top forty universities in the world, and its vision is to create an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world. It is especially important that UBC s Okanagan Campus represent the vision, mission, and aspirations of a researchintensive, internationally credible institution. Project Goal and Target Audience One of the objectives of this project is the creation and unveiling of a Syilx artwork (sculpture, carving, painting, iron works etc.), locally designed and created, to be
prominently displayed on the UBC Okanagan campus. We are seeking proposals for the creation of a structurally substantial artistic work that is reflective of the Syilx Okanagan people, their language, stories, history, culture and traditions. It would be unveiled and displayed on campus to create a visual Indigenous presence and to act as a form of acknowledgement of local Indigenous peoples and lands on which the University now sits. This project will be a legacy and contribute to providing a significant opportunity to connect its message to other events that occur on campus (such as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the annual commemoration of the Truth and Reconciliation national events, or other dates) that are of significance to the Syilx Okanagan people. Further, it would be demonstrative of UBC Leadership s commitment to continue to foster the development of community relationships, ongoing partnership with the current UBC Okanagan community, Aboriginal alumni and the community at large throughout the Okanagan. Potential Sites for Art Installation As these are public locations, the work must be securable in such a way that it will not pose a safety hazard to the viewing public. The exact siting of the artwork will be determined by UBC Okanagan in consultation with the successful applicant. The completed work can be designed for outside installation on a face of a building wall or on the placed fully on or in the ground. The following are some identified areas by the UBC Okanagan Campus Planning:
Potential Wall Sites Circle 1: Arts and Sciences II Building, S.E. Facing Façade. Two storeys high. Circle 1: Sciences Building, N.E. Corner. Three storeys high. Circle 1: Sciences Building, S.W. Corner. Three storeys high. Circle 2: Arts, S. E. Entrance Area: This location presents a large vertical space, pictured on the left, or a more horizontal space in a more contained area on the right. Overall, left section, three storeys high.
Potential Ground Sites Circle 1: Arts and Sciences II, Grassy area at E. Entrance. Left: Seen from east. Right: Seen from west. Circle 1: Grassy area on W. side of Arts Building, facing north. Circle 1: Grassy area on N. E. corner of Creative and Critical Studies Building, facing west.
Circle 3: The East-West Promenade along N. side of EME Building. Left pair: Looking E. Right: Looking W. Circle 3: Grassy area on E. side of EME Building, S. of outdoor amphitheatre.
Scope of Work and Deliverables The artist will be required to design, fabricate and deliver the work. He or she will also be responsible for overseeing the installation of the work. Some studio space may be available on campus if required. Timeline January 29 2016 Request for Proposals issued March 15 2016, deadline for proposals March 2016, review of proposals, selection of artist, notification and contract September 2016, installation of work (or to be determined by the nature of the proposal) Budget $15,000 for the design, fabrication and delivery of artwork. Format of Proposals Each application should include: The artist s contact information The artist s biography and profile providing samples of previous work Detailed sketches and description of proposed artwork (brief description of artwork s size, materials, topic, theme) Special requirements in terms of required equipment or site preparation for installation Proposed completion date Send proposals to: Jeannine Kuemmerle jeannine.kuemmerle@ubc.ca Aboriginal Programs and Services 212UNC 3272 University Way Kelowna BC V1V 1V7 250.807.9458