Call to Artists for Signal Hill Library Public Art Project Posted by Calgary Public Library on November 1, 2012 Eligibility This project is open to local and regional artists. Emerging and established public artists are encouraged to consider this opportunity. Site The Calgary Public Library is seeking a professional artist to undertake the design, development and installation of an outdoor public artwork at the recently expanded and renovated Signal Hill Library, located at 5994 Signal Hill Centre SW. Background and Opportunity The Signal Hill Library opened in the Signal Hill Shopping Centre in January 1998 to serve the library needs of Calgary residents living in communities on the centre-west side of the city. The 11,000 square foot library quickly became the busiest branch per square foot in the Calgary Public Library system as it strived to meet the library needs of over 75,000 Calgarians in the rapidly growing service area. In the fall of 2008, confirmation was received that full funding was in place to move forward on a much needed 7,000 square foot expansion and complete renovation of the Signal Hill Library. Construction got underway in early 2010 and the Grand Re-opening Celebration took place in March 2011. Signal Hill Library is now an inviting community gathering place, with ample room for expanded collections, comfortable seating for study and leisure reading, and greatly increased programming for all ages. Each day, an average of 1,200 people visit the Signal Hill Library, borrowing an average of 3,000 items, making the expanded branch one of the busiest branches in the Library system. Funding for public art was set aside in the expansion budget, affording the Signal Hill Library the welcome opportunity to enhance library customers cultural experience when they visit the branch. For the past year, the branch has been displaying on easels the visual art of various amateur artists living in the library s service area. Customers have expressed appreciation for the chance to enjoy art on their library visits. Having a piece of professionally produced public art outside the library will provide another way for library customers, and people visiting the adjacent shopping centre or using the nearby walking paths and bus stop, to experience art in the community. The public art piece will support the library s cultural role, inspire imagination and creativity in all who view and experience it, and enhance the visual appeal of the library property. Call to Artists for Signal Hill Library Public Art Project Page 1
Scope of the Project The Calgary Public Library is seeking qualifications from artists with demonstrated experience in the field of public art, the ability to work collaboratively with the project team, and a history of working with a set budget and time frame. The Library seeks an artist, or artist team, to: Consider and propose the most suitable location for public art on the south side of the library, within the landscaped area between the south wall of the library and the parking lot (see photos below) Develop a concept and detailed design in accordance with standard requirements Facilitate fabrication and installation of the artwork in consultation with the Public Art Project Team, the Library s Facilities Department staff, and the contract landscaping company Provide an appropriate maintenance manual Provide certifications of installations and warranties for the work (terms to be negotiated) The Library s goal is to have a site-specific public artwork that reflects and celebrates one or more of the following: the vital role of the Calgary Public Library in the community, o supporting literacy and encouraging the love of reading o providing barrier-free access to a world of information and ideas for all Calgarians o serving as a welcoming community gathering place for all ages a tie-in to the books and mountains image used on the exterior concrete feature wall (north-west side of the library) and on the interior glass wall of the program room Signal Hill community s historical background, notably the large numbers on the hill above the shopping centre, formed by white-painted stones identifying the World War I training camp located here. The successful artist will: engage the residents and community associations served by the Signal Hill Library to hear their thoughts about the character of the community that the artwork could reflect collaborate with stakeholders (e.g. Library staff and contractors, the property managers of the shopping centre, and other tenants of the shopping centre) to ensure the overall aesthetics of the site are considered in the concept, design and placement of the artwork develop a piece of art that appeals to the broad age range of customers who visit the library i.e. young children through seniors ensure the durability and year-round functionality and appeal of their proposed outdoor artwork. The public art must be resilient, low maintenance, vandalism-resistant, safe and able to withstand varying temperatures and humidity. Call to Artists for Signal Hill Library Public Art Project Page 2
Budget The total all-inclusive budget for this public art project is $12,500. All costs associated with the design, fabrication and installation of the artwork are the responsibility of the artist. This includes, but is not limited to: Artist fees Travel/transportation Research Conceptual and detailed design to include drawings, if requested, stamped by an engineer licensed to practice in the province of Alberta Professional fees e.g. engineering and design services Site planning and preparation Materials and fabrication Equipment Installation Maintenance manual and warranty Permit fees, taxes, customs and brokerage fees Documentation and photography Timeline Competition Close Date: Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 5:00 p.m. (MST) Evaluation of Bids by Jury: January - February 2013 Artist Selection: late February 2013 Artist contract awarded: by February 28, 2013 Conceptual design reviewed by project team and technical advisors: May 2013 Detailed design developed and presented for review and final approval: June 2013 Creation/fabrication start: July 2013 Installation complete: December 2013 Review and evaluation: January 2014 NOTE: The Calgary Public Library reserves the right to modify these dates, if necessary, in consultation with the artist. Copyright Unless otherwise agreed and confirmed in writing, the artist will retain all copyright to the artwork. The artist grants Calgary Public Library the following exclusive rights: 1. The right to reproduction (including electronic images) for not-for-profit promotion Call to Artists for Signal Hill Library Public Art Project Page 3
2. The right to remove the artwork from the site if excessive repair or maintenance is required, or if repair is not feasible, or if the work endangers public safety 3. Redevelopment of a site incorporating the artwork 4. Expiry of the artwork s lifespan Calgary Public Library agrees to not intentionally modify the artwork without first obtaining the artist s written consent. In case of items 2 4 above, Calgary Public Library agrees to contact the artist first to see if the artist wishes to purchase back the work. Insurance Requirements The winning artist is required to provide a $2 Million dollar general liability insurance policy, naming the Calgary Public Library as additionally insured, upon signing of their Artist Contract. The artist must work within the Alberta Worker s Compensation Board job safety practices and procedures. Selection Process The artist will be selected by a two-stage jury process involving evaluation of qualifications and an interview. Jurors will evaluate each submission against the following assessment criteria: (weight for each criteria, out of a total 100, indicated in parentheses) Letter of interest stated interest and approach (15) Qualifications quality of professional qualifications and relevant experience (25) Demonstrated excellence of past work in conceptual, aesthetic and technical terms (30) Ability to create a work of art that meets the project goals (30) NOTE: The jury retains the right to select no-one if no successful applications are submitted. Submission Requirements Interested artists must submit the following, in hard copy and on a CD/DVC/Memory Stick: A maximum two-page letter outlining their artistic background, qualifications, and interest in the project A current artist C.V. including contact information Three references from clients of recent projects, including contact information A maximum of ten images (minimum of five) of past work relevant to this project with details of date, location, project context and budget. Required format: Digital images should be either loaded onto a CD/DVD/Memory Stick in JPEG format, with a maximum dimension of 1280 x 960 pixels and minimum dimension of 720 x 480 pixels. Images must be unlocked so they may be transferred to a MS PowerPoint Presentation format. Call to Artists for Signal Hill Library Public Art Project Page 4
Submission Deadline All submission packages must be received (mailed or dropped off) by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 18, 2012 (MST) to: Signal Hill Library 5994 Signal Hill Centre SW Calgary, Alberta T3H 3P8 Attention: Sharon Wirzba Incomplete applications will not be accepted. The Calgary Public Library reserves the right to reject any and all submissions. Please note that submissions will not be returned. Faxed, incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. For further information, contact Sharon.Wirzba@calgarypubliclibrary.com or call Sharon Wirzba at 403-221-2004. See: www.calgarypubliclibrary.com Site Photos Library entrance, facing south South wall of Library, to left of entrance See additional photos on next page. Call to Artists for Signal Hill Library Public Art Project Page 5
Looking toward the west along south wall South wall and landscaped area from far west corner South wall of library, to right of entrance South wall and landscaped area from SE corner Concrete wall along NW side Books and mountains image on concrete wall Call to Artists for Signal Hill Library Public Art Project Page 6