The City of Bowie Arts Committee Bowie, Maryland ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM Request for Proposals Deadline for Submission: September 1, 2016. 5 p.m. EDT Background The City of Bowie announces a Request for Proposals public art opportunity for qualified artists or artist teams to design, fabricate and install artwork for an outside sculpture to be installed at the City's Centennial Park. The City of Bowie believes that art has a special role in the community. The City sponsors an Arts in Public Places Program in order to integrate into the community a wide range of public art that reflects a diversity of artistic styles, disciplines and points of view. The goals of the program include: Preserving and enriching the character of the community Improving the quality of life within the City of Bowie Broadening the role of the artist in the community Fostering artistic creativity Developing an image of the City as an arts destination Project Overview April 18, 2016 marked the 100th anniversary - the Centennial- of Bowie's City Charter. Bowie has grown from a small railroad village to become the fifth largest city in Maryland, with a population of approximately 56,000. Its area has expanded to include newer later developments, but the feeling remains the same as it was long ago. Bowie is a vibrant hometown where people put down roots. It is a city of diversity and economic opportunity, and has a strong and varied faith community. On April 16, 2016, the City kicked off its yearlong Centennial Celebration with an opening ceremony and reception at city hall, 15901 Excalibur Road. Part of the celebration that day was the renaming of a small park located just south of the City's parking lot area as the Centennial Park. After a year of events, the City's closing event will include the dedication of a Centennial Sculpture. 1
A Little Bowie History In 1870 a small railroad village called Huntington City sprang up around a railroad depot called Bowie Station. It was named in honor of Maryland Governor aden Bowie, a local resident instrumental in bringing the railroad to the area. The small town flourished with lovely homes, shady streets, businesses, shops, and places of worship. Huntington was incorporated in 1874 and in 1882 was renamed Bowie, but the railroad village was often referred to as Huntington or Huntington City by the locals and to this day the area is known as either Huntington or Old Bowie. In the 30 plus years after it was founded the village had a number of administrative and political systems. In the early 20 th century, residents began the process that incorporated the town of Bowie. The process came to fruition on April 18, 1916. R.P. Watts, William Luers, and Thomas P. Littlepage were the town's first commissions. Initially town meetings were held in the Knights ofst. John Hall in Old Bowie and in residents' homes. For many years the area south of the railroad village remained largely agricultural. Then in 1957 the face of Bowie began to change. Just a few miles south of Bowie, the Belair Farm, in business since the 1740s, was sold when its owner William Woodward, Jr., died. The property was acquired by developer William J. Levitt and the land quickly became a suburban development known as Belair at Bowie. In 1959 Belair at Bowie was annexed by the Town of Bowie. Today the City operates under the same charter (with later amendments) created in 1916. Artwork Site The sculpture will be installed at the City's Centennial Park, located just south of Bowie City Hall and the side parking lot. The park consists of the sign, landscaping around the sign, a wildflower garden, a small pond with sidewalk around the pond and a fountain in the small pond. The area where the sculpture will be placed will need a foundation pad installed. The cost and installation of this pad will be the responsibility of the City of Bowie and will not be part of the artists' budget for the sculpture. Specifications for Design 1. The artwork should be lightfast. 2. The pad will be between 10 to 20 feet in diameter/width. Size will be determined once the sculpture design is selected. 3. The sculpture should be a three-dimensional, free standing sculpture. 4. Materials for the sculpture could be metal or other comparable, durable material 5. Sculpture must be easily maintained. 2
Budget The total budget for this artwork is not to exceed $25,000, which includes artist/design fees for the artist selected, materials, construction, and installation. The selected artist is encouraged to visit the site before final delivery of the artwork. Up to $1,000 in travel expenses will be reimbursed, based upon pre-approval of the City of Bowie, MD, at its sole discretion. Artist Eligibility The Call to Artists is for professional artists, either individuals or groups located in the Mid Atlantic region. The ideal candidate will have experience and expertise in designing, fabricating and installing large wall structures, previous experience in public art and design, and the proven ability to successfully complete the project. Selection Process The Public Art Selection Subcommittee of the Bowie Arts Committee will review the submissions from this RFP to select an artist for the sculpture. The design will need to be approved by the Bowie Arts Committee which will then recommend the design to Bowie City Council, who will make the final decision. Payment The artist/artist design team will be paid in three installments, one third of the project cost upon selection ($8,000) and approval by Bowie City Council, one third upon design completion and approval by City of Bowie ($8,000), and the remaining one third upon completion of the project ($9,000). Criteria for Selection Proposals will be reviewed and judged by the following: Artistic and professional qualifications; and creativity and originality as demonstrated by materials submitted by the artist Appropriateness of artist's medium and style to the site Experience in public art Experience in working in a public review process with a public agency, such as a municipality, and local community groups Demonstrated ability to successfully execute this size work meeting all deadlines, working professionally and keeping within the project budget 3
Materials to be Submitted A completed and signed application form (included in RFP) A brief, 300 words or less, artist statement describing the artist's experience, philosophy and approach, as well as int~rest in this project A current resume outlining the artist's professional accomplishments, along with a listing of completed public art projects that includes final budgets. Resume should be a maximum of two pages and should include current contact information Detailed scale drawing (8 copies) or one (1) scale model of proposed design Narrative description of proposed design, not to exceed 500 words (8 copies) Submission of a maximum of five (5) high-quality jpeg images of past artwork (8 copies of each, either color images or 1 CD withjpeg files) Detailed budget (8 copies) Proposals may be either emailed or sent via FedEx. Estimated Artist Selection/Project Timeline July 1,2016 September 1, 2016 September 2016 October 2016 November 2016 Nov 2016 - March 2016 Call to Artists RFP announcement Deadline for submissions Arts Committee panel meets to select artist Council approval of artist proposal Design approval Artist will fabricate the artwork and install at City Hall Attachments The following attachments are provided for information regarding the project and are for illustrative purposes. The photos are provided only so artists can better understand the scope of this RFP Call for Artists. Attachment 1 Centennial Park view showing City Hall Attachment 2 Centennial Park view showing wildflower field Attachment 3 Side view of Centennial Park that includes City Hall Attachment 4 Back view of Centennial Park showing back of the sign Attachment 5 Centennial park sign Attachment 6 View showing pond and fountain City Policy Artists will retain ownership of their design ideas submitted with their application until a selection has been made and a contract signed between the artist and the City of Bowie. At the time a contract is awarded, the ownership of the design and the artwork produced will become the property of the City of Bowie. 4
The City of Bowie's Public Art funds will be used to pay the artist for the design, fabrication, and delivery of the artwork. Payments for completion of the design and for the completed artwork will be made as outlined in the contract between the artist and the City of Bowie. A maintenance plan for the artwork must be submitted to the City of Bowie by the successful artistes) only. Submit Proposals to City of Bowie c/o Annette Esterheld Community Outreach Specialist 15901 Excalibur Road Bowie, MD 20716 Deadline Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, on September 1,2016. Incomplete, non-compliant and/or late submittals and materials not specifically requested in this RFP will not be reviewed nor returned to the artist. Applications not meeting the application requirements will not be considered. For additional information, contact Annette Esterheld, Community Outreach Specialist, City of Bowie, 15901 Excalibur Road, Bowie, MD 20715. Phone, 240-544-5601, or email, aesterheld@cityotbowie.org. The Call to Artists does not commit the City of Bowie to enter into an agreement to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the proposal responding to this request or in subsequent negotiations, or to produce a contract for the project. The City reserves the right to reject any or all applications, reissue the Call to Artists or procure any service by other means. The City is not responsible for loss of or damage to, materials included with the application. 5
Attachment 1 Centennial Park view showing City Hall 6
Attachment 2 Centennial park view showing wildflower field 7
Attachment 3 Side view of Centennial Park that includes City Hall 8
Attachment 4 Back view of Centennial park showing back of the sign 9
Attachment 5 Centennial Park sign 10
Attachment 6 View showing pond and fountain 11