Mexican American Cultural Center Advisory BoardJuly 6, 2022

Item 5 - AIPP Draft Prospectus for Phase 2 — original pdf

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Art in Public Places Cultural Arts Division Economic Development Department Prospectus MACC Phase 2 Improvement Project S Artwork Budgets: Sculpture Garden - $200,000 Lake Level Exterior Wall - $90,000 Project Summary The City of Austin Art in Public Places (AIPP) program of the Cultural Arts Division, Economic Development Department (EDD) seeks to commission professional visual artists, or artist teams, to design and fabricate two artworks for the MACC Phase 2 Renovations and Expansion Project located at 600 River Street on Lady Bird Lake, adjacent to the Rainey Street Historic District, District 9. The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) has entered Phase 2 of the 2018 Facility Expansion Plan (2018 Plan) approved by Austin City Council. Phase 2 includes expansion and renovation of the facility in addition to site improvements to meet the growing needs of the community. The completed project will support programs which foster meaningful understanding and appreciation of Mexican American, Native American, Chicano, and other Latinx Cultures. The project is sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) and managed by Public Works Department (PWD). More information is at https://www.austintexas.gov/MaccPhase2. Utilizing the 2018 Plan as a guide, Schematic Design of the facility is complete seventeen listening sessions with the community spanning from 2017-2021. and support by the Design Commission, Downtown Commission, Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Advisory Commission, the Waller Creek Local Government Corporation and the ESB-MACC Advisory Board . The project team is in the Design Development phase as of spring of 2022. Project Background The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, creation, presentation, and promotion of the cultural arts of Mexican American and Latino cultures. The center is a tremendous resource for the community and visitors to learn and participate in classes and programs that will MACC Phase 2 Renovations and Expansion Prospectus draft July 2022 foster a meaningful understanding and appreciation of not only Mexican American, but also Native American, Hispanic, and other Latino cultures. The programs and education curriculum include the areas of visual art, theatre, dance, literature, music, multi-media, and the culinary arts. Construction of Phase 1 of the ESB-MACC was completed in 2007 and Phase 1A was completed in 2010 and both were based on the Master Plan developed in 2000 (2000 Plan). In 2017, update to the 2000 Master Plan which took into consideration evolving community needs and changes in the urban context. This new Facility Expansion Plan (2018 Plan) was adopted by City Council in March 2018. The current ESB-MACC facility has insufficient space to host the myriad of community activities available or desired. As such, staff & storage areas are inadequate in providing support. Existing public space is in need of interior updates and building expansion to improve functionality to better meet present and future needs. Connectivity to the hike and bike trails, Lady Bird Lake, and pedestrian walkways and surrounding neighborhood are needed to activate the plaza and draw patrons to the facility. This new addition shall pay homage to the late renowned Mexican design architect, Teodoro González de León, who designed the current facility. The project shall also successfully integrate with the urban context of the newly gentrified area. Lastly, a gra nd promenade is needed to better define the entrance and to signify this as a premier cultural destination for visitors and citizens alike. The Phase 2 professional design contract was awarded to the Joint Venture firm of Miró Rivera Architects + Tatiano Bilbao ESTUDIO. The joint venture of Miró Rivera Architects and Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO represents the convergence of two award-winning architecture firms. Homegrown in Austin, MRA is one of the most well recognized Hispanic architectural firms in Texas, while Tatiana Bilbao is a leader in Mexican contemporary architecture. Both firms were individually named on Arch Daily’s list of the World’s Best Architects. Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO is a Mexico City based architecture studio established in 2004. The studio was founded with the aim of integrating social values, collaboration and sensitive design approaches to architecture. Tatiana Bilbao innovative works often merged geometry with nature. The firm’s core philosophy is that the work is to contribute to its surrounding while remaining flexible to adsorb shifting needs. The firm’s inter-disciplinary approach to projects spans multiple countries such as Mexico, US, France, Germany, Spain and China. Bilbao's work has been recognized globally as an innovative, emerging voice in architecture and in sustainability. Tatiana has been a visiting professor at Yale, Columbia, Harvard, Rice University and her alumna mater, Ibero-American University. Miró Rivera Architects Miró Rivera Architects is an internationally recognized architecture practice whose body of work exemplifies design excellence, blurs art and architecture, and reflects a unique sense of place. Woven into their diverse practice is a remarkable degree of craftsmanship, exacting proportions, and a refined sense of materials and details. The firm has emerged as one of the leading architecture voices in the United States, and their work has been recognized nationally and internationally with over 100 design awards as well as numerous exhibitions and publications. Partners Juan Miró and Miguel Rivera were elevated to the AIA College of Fellows for their contributions to the profession and society. In 2016, Miró Rivera Architects received the Architecture Firm Award from the Texas Society of Architects. Juan is also a Professor at the University of Texas School of Architecture, where he teaches and researches Mexican architecture, art, and history—including the work of late MACC architect, Teodoro González de León. MACC Phase 2 Renovations and Expansion Prospectus draft July 2022 Budget The funds for this project are derived from the 2% for public art portion of the City of Austin’s contribution to the estimated construction budget. Each opportunity is inclusive of design team collaboration, design, regulatory review process, fabrication, and installation of artwork, including shipping expenses, insurance, travel, and other project related costs. Artwork Budgets: Sculpture Garden $200,000 Lake Level Exterior Wall $90,000 Artwork Opportunity The selected artist or artist team will collaborate with the project design team, project stakeholders and community members to design an integrated and original artwork or series of artworks in the project scope. The artist or artist team will create an artwork that integrates into the design and building of the MACC Phase 2 Design. Lake view entrance exterior wall opportunity is the lower-level lake façade. The area is approximately 448 square feet (14’ tall by 32’ wide). MACC Phase 2 Renovations and Expansion Prospectus draft July 2022 Sculpture Garden opportunity is at southeast corner of the site. The artwork should be at human scale and not infringe on the critical root zone of the existing trees. Multiple sculptures may be proposed. Public Art Intent & Goals The Art in Public Places program seeks to commission works of art of redeeming quality that advance public understanding of visual art and enhance the aesthetic quality of public places through the selection of an artist or artist team who can innovatively and thoughtfully respond to the design within the context of this project. MACC Phase 2 Renovations and Expansion Prospectus draft July 2022 The goals of each opportunity are to select artists, in collaboration with project stakeholders and City staff, who will design artwork that: Increase visibility of the facility to a broader community; Integrates seamlessly into the construction of the project; Is made from durable and low maintenance materials; and • Connect the history of this iconic facility to the ongoing growth of Austin; • • • • Enriches or adds to the depth/breadth of the City of Austin’s public art collection. The proposed artworks should be integrated into the available scope of construction, to the greatest extent possible, without impeding operation, safety, and access. Artwork should be sited in areas accessible to the public within the public right-of-way. A range of materials and conceptual approaches are welcome, as long as the parameters and goals of the project are met. Artist Information Meeting An artist information meeting will be held during the open application period to explain the parameters of the project and outline the application procedures. AIPP staff and project representatives will be available to answer questions. An artist information meeting will be held on-line via Zoom meeting at a future date. A recording of the meeting will be posted at www.austintexas.gov/department/aipp. AIPP Alignment with City of Austin Vision As it approaches its 200th anniversary, Austin is a beacon of sustainability, social equity and economic opportunity; where diversity and creativity are celebrated; where community needs, and values are recognized; where leadership comes from its citizens and where the necessities of life are affordable and accessible to all. http://www.austintexas.gov/page/imagine-austin-vision City of Austin’s Strategic Direction 2023 (SD23) The Austin City Council adopted a strategic direction guiding the City for the next three to five years. SD23 outlines a shared vision and six outcomes of which two directly guide Art in Public Places: Economic Opportunity & Affordability and Culture and Lifelong learning. • As part of the SD23 process Art in Public Places and the Economic Development Department will quantify a number of key performance measures including, participants who are satisfied with City- offered culture and lifelong learning events, activities, and resources, and number of jobs supported. The Department will use that data to better align decision making and budget allocations. • Because artists are small businesses, Art in Public Places may ask commissioned artists to outline how many jobs were supported based on their current City of Austin contract as well as whether the contract strengthened their overall business operations. Commitment to Equity Art in Public Places embraces cultural equity. It is the goal of the program to ensure as many people as possible have meaningful engagements with public art and access to viewing, experiencing, and creating artwork. • Art in Public Places actively seeks to provide members of historically underrepresented communities, which can include identities such as Black or African American, Arab-American, Asian-American, Hispanic or LatinX, Pacific Islander, Indigenous Nations, LGBTQIA, or a person with a disability, with equitable access to public art opportunities. MACC Phase 2 Renovations and Expansion Prospectus draft July 2022 • In support of this commitment, the program will make every effort to expand access to the collection and programmatic decision-making. • For each project, every effort will be made to comprise project selection panels and finalist pools for Art in Public Places commissions with representatives from a variety of historically underrepresented communities to better reflect the diversity of Austin. Artist Eligibility Applicants should meet the following requirements: • Professional visual artist, or artist team • At least 18 years of age; and • Live and work in the State of Texas. • Full-time, permanent City of Austin employees are ineligible to apply. Employees of the project consultants and sub-consultants are also ineligible to apply. Artists who are under an active contract with the Art in Public Places program at the time of application are ineligible to apply. Applications not meeting all eligibility criteria will be withdrawn from consideration. Artists who currently have one active contract for a permanent artwork with the Art in Public Places program are ineligible to apply. Artist teams are considered as separate entities; their projects do not count as projects by the individual artists. Applications not meeting all eligibility criteria will be withdrawn from consideration. Evaluation Criteria The selection of an artist, or artist team, shall be based on whose qualifications best meet the requirements contained in this Prospectus. In addition to the standard project selection the Selection Panel will review and consider the following evaluation criteria: criteria found on the City of Austin’s Art in Public Places website http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/aipp_selection_criteria.pdf. The Selection Jury will review and consider the following evaluation criteria: • Artistic merit and technical expertise; • Demonstrated ability to successfully execute innovative public art projects in an outdoor environment; • Demonstrated ability to successfully execute a public art project on time and on budget; and • Expressed interest in creating artwork for the community. Selection Process A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be distributed, and applications must be submitted through PublicArtist.org by the deadline. The City of Austin Art in Public Places Panel will convene a jury to evaluate the submissions. The jury and advisors will review qualifications and select three to five finalists for interviews unless there is consensus on the selection of recommending one applicant and one alternate. The jury and advisors may choose to convene for interviews for both opportunity and recommend an artist or artist team and an alternate for the project. MACC Phase 2 Renovations and Expansion Prospectus draft July 2022 Their final selections will result in selecting one artist/artist team and one alternate for each opportunity. This recommendation will be presented to the Art in Public Places Panel and Arts Commission for approval. The approved artist(s) will be put under a design + commission contract to coordinate with the City and project team to develop a final design, which is also subject to approval by the AIPP Panel and the Arts Commission prior to fabrication and installation. Submission Requirements Applications must be received online via www.PublicArtist.orgno later than 5:00pm (CST) on Thursday, October 20, 2022. For technical assistance with your application, pleasecontactinfo@publicartist.org or 210- 701-0775 (9:00 am–5:00 pm). Art in Public Places will convene a selection panel to evaluate artist qualifications. Applications include: a series of short answers; 10 images of completed relevant artwork with the required descriptions; resume; and 3 professional references. The short answers will be response to the following prompts on the application. These are questions that have been formulated to help artists put their best foot forward in introducing themselves and their practice to the jury. Applicants are asked to respond to each question below in 100–200 words per question. 1. What does the jury need to know about you and your work as an artist? What is your public art experience? 2. What excites you about the ESBMACC Phase 2 AIPP public art project? 3. Are you familiar to the history of the ESB-MACC? How will you approach your concept towards the history and heritage of the surrounding area? 4. As an artist, what role has community engagement or social practice played in your work? Please list examples. 5. Are you interested in being considered for the Lake Level Wall opportunity, the Sculpture Garden opportunity, or both opportunities. Selection Committee (Selection Jury + Project Advisors) Possible Selection Panelists may be a 3–5-member selection jury and community and city stakeholders. No gallery owner, dealer, or art agent may serve as a juror due to the potential for conflict of interest. No juror may serve more than once in any two-year period to bring a diversity of interests to the selection process and to match the expertise of the jury members more precisely to each project. The selection panel recommendations will be presented to the Art in Public Places Panel and Arts Commission for approval. This opportunity will require City Council authority to contract with the selected artist(s). The selection panel will remain in an advisory role with the AIPP project throughout the commission. The selected artist(s) will be put under a design contract to coordinate with the City and the project’s design team to develop a comprehensive design for artwork. The final design is subject to approval by the Art in Public Places Panel and the Austin Arts Commission and may be subject to review by other relevant City Boards and Commissions and stakeholder groups. MACC Phase 2 Renovations and Expansion Prospectus draft July 2022 • • • • • Selection Jury may include: Juan Miró or Miguel Rivera, Miró Rivera Architects Luis Gutierrez, AIPP commissioned artist and ESB-MACC staff Jury # 3 suggestion AIPP and AAC Project Advisors may include: Lulu Flores - Arts Commissioner, District 9 J Muzacz - AIPP Panel member City of Austin Project Advisors may include: • Heidi Tse – Lead Capital Delivery Project Manager, Public Works Department • Mari Boren – Co-lead Capital Delivery Project Manager, Public Works Department • Christina Bies - Associate Project Manager, Parks and Recreation Department • • Michelle Rojas – Manager, Arts & Culture, ESB-MACC, Parks and Recreation Department • Olivia Tamzarian - Program Supervisor, ESB-MACC, Parks and Recreation Department Laura Esparza - Division Manager, Parks and Recreation Department Community and Project Advisors may include: • David Goujon - ESB MACC Advisory Board, vice chair • Juan Miro – Joint Venture Miro Rivera Architects + Tatiana Bilbao Estudio, Principal • Miguel Rivera – Joint Venture Miro Rivera Architects + Tatiana Bilbao Estudio, Principal • Tatiana Bibao - Joint Venture Miro Rivera Architects + Tatiana Bilbao Estudio, Principal • Charlotte Tonsor – The Trails Foundation, Capital Projects Director • Bud Franck - Joint Venture • Alba Cortez- Joint Venture • Mariana Martins- Joint Venture Schedule (subject to change) 2022 August Prospectus approved by AIPP Panel and Arts Commission Call to Artist Q3 September Artist information meetings October Call to Artist closes Selection Jury Meeting November Artist interviews and/or paid proposal phase December Selection Process Approval MACC Phase 2 Renovations and Expansion Prospectus draft July 2022 2023 January Request for Council Authorization (RCA) February Artist under design contract + project kick off meeting April Artist Community Engagement July Mid Design review October Final Design approval 2024 Spring Fabrication and Installation coordination Winter Anticipated project completion 2025 Spring Grand Opening Contact/Questions Anna Bradley, Art in Public Places Sr. Project Manager, (512) 974-7841 or anna.bradley@austintexas.gov MACC Phase 2 Renovations and Expansion Prospectus draft July 2022