Request for Proposals: Public Art in Lewiston and Auburn


  • January 08, 2020

Request for Proposals: Public Art in Lewiston and Auburn

Overview As part of a Maine Arts Commission Creative Communities = Economic
Development (CCED) grant to support the implementation of Cultural Plan LA , the Public Art
Working Group of Lewiston and Auburn invites proposals for public artwork that will activate a
gateway or key corridor within the community. Both new and existing works are eligible. The
artwork may be temporary or permanent. The submission deadline is 5:00 pm on Friday,
February 14, 2020. One work (or works) will be selected for installation in the City of Lewiston
and another for installation in the City of Auburn. Each project has a $25,000 budget. Projects
may be installed as early as May of 2020 and as late as August of 2021.


Background The CCED grant was awarded to the LA Metro Chamber of Commerce and L/A
Arts in 2018 to support implementation of Cultural Plan LA . Specifically, grant funding was
awarded to “utilize arts and culture to enhance LA’s image to attract residents, tourism, and new
investment” and to “further the position of arts and culture in local government.” Among other
strategies for achieving these goals, two works of public art will be installed, one i n each city, to
generate interest in and support for public art as a community-builder and driver of economic
development.


Budget Project budgets of up to $25,000 per project will be considered. A budget proposal
must cover all design, fabrication, transportation, documentation, insurance, and installation
expenses. The Commissioned Artist(s) will be required to provide evidence of appropriate
liability, property damage, and workers compensation insurance while working on the site.
Project Intent and Location The artwork will be a signature work designed to engage the public
and activate one of the City’s gateways or key corridors. This might be an entrance into the
downtown or another neighborhood; a strategic location within a current or emerging economic
development corridor; or a strategic location along or within the river or a canal. The location
will be publicly-owned or controlled. The City of Auburn especially welcomes proposals that
would activate Anniversary Park in New Auburn. Questions regarding the viability of a
proposed site may be submitted to publicartmaine@gmail.com .


Eligibility Maine-based artists age 18 and over, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national
origin, gender identity, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical
disability may apply. Artist teams are eligible to apply, including teams of artists from multiple
disciplines.


SelectionCriteria
● An initial proposal that reflects Project Intent as described in this document, with
attention to the question of how the proposed artwork will activate or enhance the
proposed space and how it will engage diverse audiences, including the local
community, visitors, and tourists.
● A body of work reflecting artistic excellence as shown through vision, originality, and
understanding of craft.
● Experience working in public settings and public process.
● Experience fabricating and installing artwork suitable for the outdoor environment in
Maine.
● Capacity to complete the proposal on time and within budget.


Selection Process A Selection Review Committee (SRC) will evaluate submissions for the
project. The SRC will review the materials to determine whom to invite for a second round of
evaluation. Artists selected for the second round will receive a $500 design fee for refining their
proposals. Final proposals will include detailed models, drawings, renderings, samples of work,
and/or materials depending on the nature of the proposal. Please do not submit detailed
models, drawings, samples, or final proposals for the first round of the selection process. The
SRC reserves the right to solicit additional information from the artist(s) and to refuse any or all
proposals. The final recommended proposal will be subject to review and approval of the
respective City Council.


Submission Deadline and Required Materials

● Friday, February 14, 2020, 5:00 pm is the deadline for submission of materials. Materials
received after this date may be excluded from consideration.
● Materials must be submitted online in PDF format. All images must be in a jpg or PDF
format and sent via email to publicartmaine@gmail.com .
● Proposals must include:

○ A current resume for participating artist(s) (2 pages maximum). If submitting as a
team, an individual resume should be submitted for each team member.
○ A brief written proposal (2 pages maximum) describing your past work and how
you plan to address the potential site. Discuss what your concept and approach will
be in addressing the public art space(s) of the site, including environmental and
weather conditions. Please do not submit detailed models, samples, or final
proposals for this round of the selection process. A simple sketch may be included
to clarify your idea if desired.
○ An itemized budget estimate to give cost expectations (include design fees as
well as anticipated fabrication, transportation and installation costs). A more
precise budget may be requested for those invited past the first round.
○ A brief anticipated maintenance plan required for the artwork. Please do not
include this in the narrative of your proposal.
5-10 digital images of at least three recent works . If an artist team or artist
organization applies, they may only submit five images for all artists. The optional
proposal sketch does not count as an image. (Please include any sketches with
the narrative portion of the proposal.) Do not upload A/V files of any kind. Only
jpg or PDF files are eligible for review.
Optional : Each artist may include up to three selections of support materials
such as reviews, news articles, web links, and other related information.

 

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Contact Information

Alison Gibbs

221 Lisbon Street
Lewiston  ME  04240 

(207) 782-7228
gro.straal@sbbig.nosila
https://laarts.org/