REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – Town of Twisp Gateway and Public Art Project

TOWN OF TWISP – GATEWAY AND PUBLIC ART PROJECT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Download Application and RFP Info CLICK HERE

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Deadline: June 22, 2018

Budget:  $60,000 budget

Contact: Amanda Jackson Mott, Methow Arts Alliance amanda@methowartsalliance.org

Email only please. No phone calls.

The Town of Twisp cordially invites applications from artists or artist teams to submit proposals for site-specific outdoor public artwork for the Town of Twisp Gateway and Public Art Project. Artwork will enhance the community, inviting visitors to Twisp, WA and link the community to our offerings. Selected artwork will align with the following goals of the Town of Twisp.

Preference will be given to artists or artist teams residing in North Central Washington.  We look forward to working with you and viewing your ideas!

Overview and Background of Twisp, WA

Twisp, a small town in Okanogan County in north central Washington, sits at the confluence of the Twisp and Methow rivers in the eastern foothills of the majestic North Cascade Mountains. Twisp’s central location, approximately half way down the Methow Valley from the mountain headwaters to the Columbia River, helped it grow into the valley’s largest town and dominant commercial center following its founding in the last decade of the 1800s. Mining, which brought the first non-Indian settlers to the valley, agriculture, and especially timber dominated the town’s economy for much of its history.  Twisp’s timber mill is now gone, while agriculture continues to play a significant role in the town’s economy. More recently, a growing recreational tourism industry is thriving– significantly increased by the 1972 opening of the North Cascades Highway. Many small businesses serving valley residents are located in Twisp. The arts play a significant role in Twisp impacting and enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike. Art studios, events, performance and galleries sprinkle the downtown corridor, while art installations can be seen throughout the town – weaving together the community-minded life of Twisp, WA.

The Project – Twisp, WA Gateway Project

Proposals should include original artwork at both locations (North and South) at the edges of the Twisp Town limits along Highway 20. The artwork will serve as a welcome into Twisp at both locations. The artwork should be designed to be installed on both sides of the road at each end of town (four elements total.) Original art should reflect the character of the community, be unique, and complement the attractive local elements of the town. Considerations for the design and theme of the work may consider the unique character of the town, its natural surroundings, and sense of community. Locations are yet to be determined. The most likely South End placement is HERE CLICK HERE; CLICK HERE for North End placement. Please note that south end site has not yet been confirmed and two proposed sites are listed.)

The Town of Twisp, with assistance from Methow Arts Alliance, seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create outdoor sculptures or sculptural installations for this pair of gateway artwork. The completed artwork will become the property of the Town of Twisp, WA. Gateways shall require minimum or no maintenance, with appropriate consideration for the area’s extreme seasonal changes (intense heat /sunlight and abundant snowfall). The chosen art will be for exterior installation and requires durability and characteristics to withstand the environmental elements of Eastern Washington. Artwork should not cross the road and must not obstruct motorists or hamper mobility of large / oversized transportation vehicles. Washington State Department of Transportation guidelines and requirements must be adhered to. Dimensions should be large enough to be welcoming – scaled to the proposed placement area for the gateways. Scalability is desirable.

Eligibility

This project is open to all artists who are legal US residents, age 18 and over, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical or mental disability. Preference will be given to artists or artist-teams residing in North Central Washington. We look forward to working with you and viewing your ideas!

Budget

The budget for this project is $60,000 which is inclusive of all artist costs with the exception of installation costs. This amount includes all costs related to the artist and/or artist team’s design and project: management fees; all subcontract and consultant costs, including engineers, electricians, fabricators, studio and overhead costs; fabrication, transportation, delivery of all art components, including foundations, concrete pad and footings; liability and insurance costs as required, and all other costs associated with the art project. Artwork must meet all applicable city building codes. Installation costs are excluded. However, artists should clearly list the proposed costs of installation in their budget.

Download Application and RFP Info CLICK HERE

Timeline 2018-2019

May 17: Open Call – Request for Qualifications announced

June 22: Submission period closed (must be postmarked or received via email by June 22)

July 9: Selection committee meets and selects 3-5 Finalists for interview/presentations

July 15-July 30: Interviews

Aug 1-7: Proposal sketches on display for public viewing

August 15: Selection committee meet, makes a selection

Mid-April, 2019: Artwork complete and delivered to the Town of Twisp for installation

Download Application and RFP Info CLICK HERE

Application and Selection Process

Please find attached application sheet which outlines proposal elements.  Applicants may submit up to three separate designs if desired.

 The Selection Committee will consist of a panel of voting members including citizens, arts professionals, and town officials.

The finalist(s) will be asked to provide more detailed sketches and renderings if necessary as well as narration, budget, and schedule. The finalist/s will submit a 3-D model (maquette) of the proposed artwork.

The Selection Committee will review all eligible submissions, interview finalists in person, unless otherwise arranged. Panelists will forward their recommendation to the Town of Twisp for review and approval. Upon approval, a contract will be issued to the selected artist and/or artist-team.

Information for Artists

Artwork must be original works of art by the submitting Artist or Artist Team. The artwork may not contain advertising, religious references, convey political messages or sexual content. Artwork should:

  • be a design concept that works as a “gateway” in and out of Twisp, WA and is not to be construed as traffic or wayfinding signals;
  • not create a distracting situation for drivers along Highway 20, and does not draw viewers to it but can be appreciated from a distance (i.e. non-interactive); and,
  • meet all applicable city building codes, WSDOT and other regulatory agency requirements, and RCWs.

Selection criteria to be used for consideration shall include, but not be limited to the following:

  • artistic quality, context, suitability, and structural integrity. Submissions will be evaluated on their overall feasibility.
  • evidence of the artist’s (or artist-team) ability to successfully complete the work as proposed in the timeline
  • general experience in fabricating and installing permanent artwork suitable for outdoor elements
  • thematic originality, especially in regard to the existing Twisp public art collection, regional history and future of the area

HOW TO APPLY:

Download Application and RFP Info CLICK HERE

  • Please email all questions. Do not call @ amanda@methowartsalliance.org
  • Please submit proposals via US mail at mailing address below or via email amanda@methowartsalliance.org
  • Read all guidelines on pages 4 and 5 of Cover letter. Incomplete applications may not be accepted. For assistance contact Amanda Jackson Mott below.
  • A proposal development workshop and scheduled one-on-one trainings will be held in early June to assist interested artists in the application process.

CONTACT