Item 15 - Walter_E_Long_John_Trevino_Jr_RFQ-2024.06.18.pdf — original pdf

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CALL TO ARTISTS Public Art Opportunity Walter E. Long and John Treviño, Jr. Metro Parks, Districts 1 & 2 City of Austin (Texas): Art in Public Places (AIPP) Call open – Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 Deadline for Submissions – 7:00 PM CST, October 22, 2024 Submit all information via https://www.publicartist.org/austinaipp Request for Qualifications The City of Austin Art in Public Places program (AIPP) of the Cultural Arts Division, Economic Development Department (EDD) seeks to commission one professional visual artist or artist-led team to design, fabricate and install two artworks: one for the Walter E. Long Metro Park at 6620 Blue Bluff Rd, Austin, TX 78724, and the other for John Treviño, Jr. Metro Park at 9501 FM 969, Austin, TX 78724. Public Artwork Goals • A work of art of redeeming quality that advances public understanding of visual art and enhances the aesthetic quality of public places • Conceptualizes a strong overall artwork design approach that integrates with the site and surrounding natural environment Is easily maintained and vandal resistant in an exterior environment Is permanent with an expected life span of at least 20 years • • Project Background Parks play a vital role in the life of a city. As public places, parks bring diverse communities together in a shared place and through collective experiences. As natural systems, parks provide habitat and a wealth of species increasingly challenged by urban growth. That this can all occur within a shared experience allows parks – and especially large urban parks – to have a special opportunity to strengthen communities and their connection to the landscape. This spirit is embodied in the Austin Parks and Recreation Department motto “Cultural Places, Natural Spaces” and focus central to its approach to parkland development. Walter E. Long Metro Park Walter E. Long Metro Park is Austin's largest park by acreage. Walter E. Long Metro Park is regionally renowned for its beautiful lake with its surrounding natural resources, and also as an outstanding fishing location. It is located on the far eastern boundary of Austin, just west of State Highway 130, a short drive from Downtown Austin. The property is comprised of 3,695 acres of parkland and includes Lake Walter E. Long—a 1,165-acre lake teeming with bountiful fishing opportunities and surrounded by natural resources. The Travis County Exposition Center is also located within the site. There are several existing amenities in the park including hike and bike trails, picnic areas, volleyball courts, boat ramps, fishing piers, a skeet shooting range, and a model airplane range. There have been several plans to develop the park dating back to the mid-1960s. City Council approved the current Walter E. Long Metro Park Vision Plan on October 15, 2020. The first phase of development will center on the existing Lakeside Park area and emphasize rehabilitation of the site's infrastructure. Improvements will include enhancements to picnic areas, existing restroom rehabilitation, new all-inclusive play and nature based In addition, all proposed improvements will be ADA compliant. 1  John Treviño Jr. Metro Park John Treviño Jr. Metro Park at Morrison Ranch consists of approximately 330 acres of parkland on FM 969. The property, which is bound by FM 969 to the north and the Colorado River to the south, was purchased by the Austin Parks and Recreation Department in 2003. In 2006, Austin City Council voted to name the park after John Treviño Jr., Austin’s first Latino Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem. The property has been utilized for farming and ranching operations up until 2016. It currently contains a paved entry drive, two- track dirt roads, a farm house and several out buildings. From FM 969, the site slopes up gradually before dropping off to relatively flat open farm fields and riparian vegetation adjacent to the river. Approximately, two-thirds of the property is located within the 100-year floodplain. Vegetation is a mix of field grasses, Live Oak-Ashe Juniper Woods, and riparian species along the river. City Council approved a Vision Plan for the park on October 15, 2020. The first phase of development will focus on establishing vehicular access and infrastructure improvements to allow for the opening of the park. It is also planned to include nature trail development and some neighborhood park like amenities, such as picnic sites and play facilities. 2  A conceptual drawing illustrating potential future parkland development at John Treviño, Jr. Metro Park at Morrison Ranch Artwork Budget: $100,100 Walter E. Long Funded is funded by 2018 Prop C, Texas Park and Wildlife Urban Outdoor (Federal Pass Through) Grant and parking fees, the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) proposed park improvements will primarily address utility work, restroom upgrades, road improvements, and a nature trail. Adjustments to road layouts and other amenities will be made based on their alignment with the vision plan. John Trevino is funded by aa combination of 2018 bond, Federal earmark funds. A single commission of $100,100 will be awarded to create two artworks - one at each park. The total award is paid over the course of the commission with milestones at community engagement, design, fabrication, installation, and closing. AIPP recommends that selected artists or artist-led teams budget 20% for their artist design fee, 10% for contingency, and budget the remainder for all other project expenses including but not limited to: insurance, promotion, community engagement, design, all engineering, fabrication, materials, subcontractors, travel, transportation, shipping, permits and installation. Possible Artwork Siting A single artist or artist-led team will be commissioned to design, fabricate, and install two artworks—one at the entrance to each park. These three-dimensional artworks will serve as entry features to increase the visibility of each park’s main entrance. The artworks must capture the unique character of the individual parks. The final artwork site will be determined in collaboration between the selected artist, City staff, and the community. 3  (Pictured: entrance to the Walter E. Long Metro Park) Eligibility The City of Austin AIPP program strives to commission a broad range of artworks which contribute to the current dialogue in the field of visual art. AIPP defines artist as an individual recognized by critics and peers as a professional practitioner of serious intent and substantial ability. • Experience creating 3-dimensional permanent artwork in materials suitable for exterior environments • Austin-based visual artists who reside in the seven counties bounding the Austin metro area (Travis, Hays, Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell, Burnet, and Blanco counties) • at least 18 years of age Ineligibility Design professionals, including architects, who do not have a consistent visual art practice are ineligible to apply as team leads, but may be a part of an artist-led team. Artists who have more than three permanent artworks represented in the AIPP public art collection; artists who currently are under an active contract for a permanent AIPP project; and artists who have completed an AIPP project within the past year are ineligible to apply. City of Austin full-time employees, or contractors hired by the sponsor project, are ineligible. Submission Requirements 1. Credentials: CV/Resume (limit 3 pages) 2. Short responses to the following questions (100-300 words per question): a. Describe your artistic practice and how you are a good candidate for this particular opportunity. b. As an artist approaching public art, how do you design works that respond to a particular site? c. How do you collaborate or engage with community in your art practice? Please give an example of a successful public artwork with elements informed by community feedback. d. Do you have a personal connection to the John Treviño Jr. or Walter E. Long Metro Parks or nearby communities? If so, please describe. 3. Ten images of previous work (only one image per page). 4  a. Label each image with: title, date of completion, location, materials, art budget. b. For team applications, please indicate the lead artist for each project; or provide an annotated image list. IMAGES OF INCOMPLETE PROJECTS OR PROPOSAL IDEAS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED c. 4. Three Professional references: (names, phone numbers and email addresses) 5. Demographic Survey Selection Criteria • Technical quality and aesthetic appeal of past work • Dedicated and consistent artistic practice • Authenticity, creativity, and innovation of work as presented • Communication of ideas and intentions • Ability and enthusiasm to engage the community in which the artwork will be installed • Experience with public art projects of a relatively similar size and scope Selection Process A three to five-member selection panel comprised of visual arts professionals and community representatives will review all eligible submissions. Three to five artist(s)/artists teams will be invited to interview unless there is consensus to recommend one applicant and one alternate for each opportunity. One applicant will be selected to receive a commission. Project Schedule (Subject to Change) Interviews (if needed) Selected Artist under contract Target Installation Construction Schedule Sponsor Design phase ends Long Construction begins Fall 2025 Long Substantial completion Fall 2026 Artist Information Meeting DATE;TIME (CST) TBD AIPP staff will present information on the project and answer questions from interested artists. AIPP staff will also review the application procedures. The presented materials, along with Q&A, will be posted to City’s website after the meeting: www.austintexas.gov/department/aipp-opportunities. Winter 2025 Winter 2025 Fall 2026 Summer 2025 Questions regarding this solicitation must be directed in writing to: Art in Public Places Coordinator – Bryana Iglesias, bryana.iglesias@austintexas.gov 5