General TERMS OF REFERENCE City of Guelph is inviting experienced, professional artists or a team of artists to prequalify for the opportunity to develop new public art work. The total all-inclusive budget for all components of this public art project is $150,000. Overview Founded in 1827, today Guelph is a vibrant community of more than 120,000 people. The city is located in one of the strongest economic regions in the country - 100 kilometres west of Toronto, just east of Kitchener-Waterloo. Guelph is rich in culture, architecture, parks and riverside green spaces. It is the fourth fastest growing city in Canada with a population growth rate of about 2% per year. Guelph's population is projected to reach 175,000-195,000 by the year 2027. Home to a vibrant and diverse art, culture and heritage sector, the city boasts hundreds of independent visual artists, performers, writers, and significant cultural and educational institutions. Project Background Information Guelph s civic heart has long been located in the wedge of land that straddles the railway through Downtown. The wedge was planned by John Galt as the Market Grounds and has functioned in this capacity throughout Guelph s history. The historic City Hall building was built in 1856 at the same time as the railway arrived to bisect the original town plan. Because of this division, during the 19th century the market developed to the east and west of City Hall and the major commercial development of Downtown took place further north. The Winter Fair building was constructed in 1900 and enlarged in 1909; this brought the exhibition facilities out to Carden Street and south of the tracks to the Horse Stables (now used for the Farmers Market). Around the same time, in 1908, the Armoury was constructed south of City Hall. In 1911, in a major undertaking, the rail line was elevated, creating the underpasses and retaining walls we see today; the present train station was also built then, replacing the original station that had been located closer to the Speed. The 20th century saw the removal of some of these buildings and adjacent historic fabric, notably the projecting section of the Winter Fair building (which had been turned into Memorial Gardens in the 1940s) and buildings on Wilson Street where the parking lot is now located. A significant infrastructure project took place in 1965 when Norfolk Street was reconnected to Gordon Street under the rail lines. Today, the area bordered by Wilson, Carden, and Farquhar Streets is known as the Civic Precinct. Development in recent years of this area has seen the construction of a New City Hall (incorporating Memorial Gardens), the development of a new civic square (Market Square) in front of City Hall, and the development of the City s main transit hub (Guelph Central Station) at the north-east end of the Precinct.
The area s historic character, defined by flexible spaces and a range of uses, including commerce, transportation, gatherings, military, recreation, exhibitions and governance continues today. Market Square is a busy public activity and event space dominated by an outdoor skating rink and water feature; the Farmers Market, to the south, continues to be a focal point both summer and winter; and Guelph Central Station accommodates passengers from not only the City s transit system, but also from the GO train, Via Rail, and Greyhound. Despite the activity in each of these areas, there is no visual cohesion between each area and little to encourage foot traffic from one end of the Precinct to the other. SCOPE OF WORK The artist or team selected for this project will be responsible for developing and implementing a work of art for the area defined as the Civic Precinct. The ideal installation will create unity between various elements of the precinct, convey a strong sense of place and create a memorable experience for citizens and visitors to the area. The work should reinforce the unique history of the area as the city s primary gathering space, contribute to the animation of the space, and encourage interaction and a sense of playfulness. This installation will be part of a larger network of public art throughout the Downtown area. The goal for these projects, as currently envisioned, is to enhance the network of parks, open spaces, streetscapes and community facilities to make downtown more liveable and beautiful. SITE CONSIDERATIONS The public art for this location must be at a scale that accommodates all users of the space, whether they are seated, on foot, on bicycles or in vehicles and must maintain visual appeal during both the day and night, in all seasons. Artwork cannot impede traffic flow (either vehicular or pedestrian), way finding, or the use of Market Square as an event space. The installation(s) may not obstruct the view or compromise the artistic integrity of existing public art works in the Precinct including the John Galt Bust, the IODE Cross of Sacrifice, and the Blacksmith Fountain (located just outside of the Precinct boundary). The work must comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Selection Process The City will review the submitted materials by qualified applicants and develop a ranked list of pre-qualified candidates who will be invited to submit detailed proposals for the creation of the site-specific public art. The detailed proposal will include an implementation plan, budget, design drawings and maquette(s). Selected candidates will be paid an honorarium of $1,000 to produce a concept proposal to defray some or all of such proponents reasonable costs associated with the City s request. Tentative Project Time Line JULY 2013 SEPTEMBER 2013 OCTOBER 2013 NOVEMBER 2013 DECEMBER SEPTEMBER 2013 SEPTEMBER 2014 TIME LINES Finalists announced and invited to submit RFP with maquette(s), budget, work plan Deadline for receipt for RFP & maquette(s) Selection Committee decision Award commission Fabrication and installation period Art work opening (or sooner by agreement) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Guelph s Public Art Policy http://guelph.ca/living.cfm?itemid=81491&smocid=2961 Downtown Secondary Plan http://www.guelph.ca/living.cfm?itemid=78561&smocid=1878
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS A COMPLETE SUBMISSION MUST INCLUDE ALL THE INFORMATION AND MATERIALS DESCRIBED BELOW. Artists wishing to be considered must submit a complete package. Submit one copy of all application documents typed or written in black ink on white, letter-sized paper (8½ X 11 ) suitable for photocopying as outlined below. DO NOT staple applications or bind them in any way in folders, binders or plastic covers. Applications must include the following: 1. One copy of the completed application form (included at the end of this document). 2. One copy of a written expression of interest (please note that a final proposal is not requested at this time) detailing: A summary of qualifications and professional experience that outlines the artist s suitability to this project, especially experience working with construction and design professionals; Why the context of the site is interesting or important to the artist; The artist s experience and expressed desire to create artwork for and in the public realm; and Demonstrated ability to successfully execute a project of this scale under the criteria developed and within the budget and timeline set out. Limit the written description to two pages. 3. One copy of curriculum vitae that includes a brief statement of artistic activities for the past twelve to eighteen months. Limit the CV to a maximum length of four pages. 4. References: provide names, addresses, phone and e-mail for two references who can speak to your art practice and interest and/or experience in public art projects. 5. Documentation list Provide typewritten documentation list with artist s name, title of work, medium, dimensions (if applicable), location and date for all visual support materials 6. Support materials: a pc compatible CD-ROM and/or USB with up to 20 jpeg image files (* see below) And also may include:
recent reviews and news clippings ( submit on letter-sized white bond paper (8½ X 11 ) Limit of three. programs, catalogues and other publications that include examples of work (highlight information specifically related to your work). Limit of three. DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL ARTWORK. SLIDES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. * Digital support materials specifications: 1. Any digital images and other electronic data that are submitted must be PC compatible (.jpg,.tiff,.doc,.pdf or.bmp format), have an approximate resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, and be submitted on a CD or USB (no zip disks, hyperlinks or e-mail submissions will be accepted); and digital images should be labelled as follows: Artistname_Number.format. 2. Artists wishing to have their support materials returned must indicate this with their submissions. Proposals of those Artists selected to proceed to the next stage of the selection process will not be returned until final selection has been completed and successfully awarded.