CALL FOR ARTISTS! Downtown Public Art Project: Fleur-de-Lis

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts in collaboration with the City of New Rochelle and the

Downtown Business Improvement District

Announces a

Downtown Public Art Project: Fleur-de-Lis

Request for Proposals

DEADLINE:  September 15, 2013

Artist Opportunity:

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts, the Downtown Business Improvement District and the City of New Rochelle seek to commission 10-15 artists for the adornment of pre-fabricated 5’ Fleur- de-lis in celebration of the 325th anniversary of the settling of New Rochelle by the Huguenots.   One artist (or artist team) will be selected for each free-standing Fleur de-lis. Installation sites will be determined when work is completed.

The project continues the Art in Public Spaces Program initiated by NRCA..

Concept of Artwork:

Combining strong visual appeal with a well-thought out concept, the Fleur de-lis will serve as a focal point within the borders of the downtown Business Improvement District in New Rochelle.  The function of this project is to provide the opportunity for dialogue between the artist and the local community, residents and visitors and to produce aesthetically exciting work to enliven the downtown setting.

The free-standing Fleur-de-lis measures approximately 5’h x5’w x2’d and is two sided. The fiberglass form will be made available to each selected artist for the execution of work which is consistent with the designs which were accepted.

Project Budget: 

Each selected artist will be required to sign a contract with The New Rochelle Council on the Arts that defines his/her responsibilities, review process during execution  and will receive an honorarium of $300 for the completed and delivered form provided  execution is consistent with submitted and selected design. Cost of execution of design onto to pre-fabricated form is the artist’s responsibility.

The fabrication and installation of the Fleur-de-lis pre-fabricated fiberglass form will be the responsibility of the Downtown Business Improvement District and the City of New Rochelle who will ensure that the artwork is installed with the utmost care at a site chosen to best represent the work.

Eligibility:

This RFP is open to all artists, designers and students from the age of 16.                                     

Selection Process:

A selection panel will evaluate each artist’s submission and select one artist (or artist team) for each Fleur-de-lis. Selected work will be based on the following criteria:

·         Artistic excellence, innovation, creativity and originality as demonstrated in submitted materials

·         Materials to be appropriate for out-door installation intended to last two (2) years.

·         Appropriateness and relevance of style and theme as relates to downtown New Rochelle  and New Rochelle’s 325th Anniversary

Examples of themes include but are not limited to:

·         Founded as a French speaking settlement (1688) named for La Rochelle

·         Two Miles of Waterfront

·         Sound Shore summer pleasures

·         Home to famous Artists-“45 Minutes from Broadway”

·         America’s premier suburban community

·         Park-like neighborhoods * Natural open spaces

·         Diverse  & Vibrant

·         Artists are not required to have any prior public art experience.

·         Artists are required to pick up and deliver 5’ form from/to designated site.

·         The completed Fleur- de-lis will remain the property the BID.

Work is to be chosen by a selection committee:

            Judith Weber: President, New Rochelle Council on the Arts

            Billie Tucker:  Member, New Rochelle Municipal Arts Commission

            Luiz Aragon:  Commissioner of Development

            Ralph DiBart:  Executive Director New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District

            Ivar Hyden:   Councilman, Downtown District

            Theresa Kump Leghorn:  Vice President, New Rochelle Council on the Arts

Important Dates:

            Public announcement of RFP:  July 22, 2013

            Application Deadline: September 15, 2013

            Selection Panel Determination of Winning Designs:  September 25th

            Work to be completed by November  (To Be Determined)

Application Procedures:

Applicants must submit in either of the following methods:

·         A written proposal describing your deign and explaining your choice of imagery, symbols, materials etc. (no more than one page).

·         Include Resume or Biographical Information. 

                                                           OR

·         No more than three (3) images. Work is to be 300dpi  (500x500) JPG or EPS  Titled and  numbered to correspond with images.

·         Label ALL images with Name, address, email and contact number.

·         Include Resume or Biographical Information   Word document

EMAIL IMAGES  and supporting materials to info@newrochellearts.org

Please note:

REPRODUCTION RIGHTS:: As a condition of entry, entrant grants the New Rochelle Council on the Arts and the City of New Rochelle the right to reproduce accepted designs in materials such as a catalogue, press releases, publications, brochures, leaflets, radio or television announcements, or other printed or electronic media for advertising, education and publicity for this and any future New Rochelle anniversary celebrations.

Please note:

Materials will be returned via standard mail within 30 days of final selections only if a SASE is included in application.  Although special care will be taken in the handling and return of all submissions, the New Rochelle Council on the Arts cannot be responsible for any materials that are lost, stolen, or damaged while in our possession or in transit.

Questions:

Artists may send his/her questions to info@newrochellearts.org .  Please include your phone number for a quicker and more detailed response.