Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance

Request for Artist Qualifications in partnership with the Friends of the Oro Valley Public Library

Oro Valley Public Library

Opportunity for Exterior Permanent Artwork Installation

Budget: $30,000

Deadline: September 6, 2022 at 11:59 pm MST

Location: Oro Valley Public Library Outdoor Courtyard, 1305 W Naranja Dr, Oro Valley, AZ 85737

Eligibility: Must be living and working in the Western States Region of the U.S.

Summary

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance is issuing an open Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a new permanent series of multiple or individual sculptural and mural installations at the new Oro Valley Public Library outdoor courtyard.  

Oro Valley Public Library is one of 27 libraries in the Pima County Public Library system. The library and all of its programming is free to the public; anyone in Pima County can get a library card for borrowing privileges here.  The library contains two full size community meeting rooms, three study rooms, a large Children's Room, a Teen Zone, and public access computers.  The collection includes newspapers, magazines, books, a Spanish collection, an Arizona Heritage collection, and large print books. Audio-visual materials, such as books on CD, music, and DVDs, are also available.

The project is funded by the Friends of the Oro Valley Public Library.  

The Friends of the Oro Valley Public Library is a volunteer, nonprofit organization which exists to:

• Raise funds for the library
• Encourage use of library resources.
• Enhance the cultural quality of life.
• Promote the value of the library in the community.
• Provide volunteer support for the library. 
• Assist with life-long learning program development.
• Collaborate with the community.

Project Scope

Commissioned artworks will be subject to the following criteria:

• Artworks can be submitted and considered in a range of colors and tones, including colorful and/or neutral themes.  
• Artist teams that might incorporate collaborative murals and sculptural elements. 
• Artworks will be considered that may include functional elements, related to shade, seating or other free-standing works. 
• A significant mural opportunity exists onsite, on the main wall. 
• Artworks should include a strong use in the development of the project theme, including, but not limited to abstract forms related to literary arts, reading, famous authors, and abstract interpretations.  
• Artworks must be family-friendly, suitable for public display, and free of safety hazards.
• Artworks can utilize a single location onsite or incorporate multiple locations throughout the property. 
• Artworks must meet or exceed Town of Oro Valley ADA requirements (if applicable)
• Artworks should be resistant to graffiti and vandalism and require minimal maintenance.
• Artwork must have an expected life span of at least 10 years
• Artwork should make a significant artistic addition to the Town of Oro Valley Public Art Collection.

Eligibility

• Open to all artists and artist-teams over 18 years of age residing and working in the Western States Region except as indicated below.
• Individual artists and artist-teams are strongly encouraged to apply.

THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY:

Artists currently under contract for a Public Art project in Oro Valley, AZ.

Budget

The budgets for the possible artwork opportunities are inclusive of all work including, but not limited to, design proposals, artists’ fees, design, engineering, permitting, insurance costs for each year of the project, lighting (if necessary), software, studio and project administration, travel, fabrication, all materials, installation, and required documentation.

Application Requirements

• Artist(s) resume or CV, relevant information for any other key team members (3 pages maximum per artist or team member)
• Statement of intent that includes contact information and interest and ability to complete the project, which can include uploaded project conceptual sketches or narratives (1,000 words maximum)
• Biography/artist statement (500 words maximum)
• Digital images of completed commissions/artworks. Applicants should submit up to ten (10) images in JPEG format only with each image no larger than 2 MB. Each image should include information about artist, title, year completed, dimensions, material, commissioning entity, and budget or price (as applicable) for each image provided
• Contact information for three professional references. References will only be contacted if the artist is selected to move forward in the process.
• All documents should be in at least a 12 point font, single-spaced, with at least a ½” margin.

Contact

For questions and/or more information, please contact:

Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance
Executive Director
Kate Marquez

kate@saaca.org

Please submit all questions in writing via email no later August 25 at 11:59 pm MST to kate@saaca.org. All answers to questions received by the question due date will be posted publicly.

Selection Process

• A panel comprised of Oro Valley Friends of the Public Library stakeholders, and/or identified committee and owner contacts who will review qualified submissions and select a shortlist of up to three artists/artist teams for each of the available opportunities.
• The short-listed artists will be commissioned to create concept designs and paid a $200 stipend, compile and present their concept design to the committee.
• The artist(s) selected by the committee will move forward in the process for approval to be contracted for Design and Fabrication of the final artwork(s).

Contracting

Established in 1997, the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the arts.  For the past 23+ years, SAACA has provided administrative services to the Oro Valley 1% for Public Art Commercial Public Art Code.   The final commission for this project will be contracting directly with Braintree Properties.  The selected artist(s) must be able and willing to sign contracts for design and commission.

Timeline All dates are subject to change.

RFQ released:  July 15, 2022

Deadline for questions: August 25, 2022

RFQ submission deadline: September 6, 2022

RFQ notification: Week of October 1, 2022

Final Proposals Due from Selected Artists: November 2022

Project design, fabrication, and installation: January 2022