CALL TO ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS

From: Robert K McCarthy

Councillor Ward One

CALL TO ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS – Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Temporary public art installation in Salem, Massachusetts, Summer 2015

Budget $4200.00

Submission Deadline: January 16, 2015

The City of Salem and the Salem Main Streets Program seek qualifications from artists and designers interested in creating a three-month site-responsive public art installation in the heart of downtown Salem during the summer of 2015. The public art project will be a prominent feature in the kick-off of the Salem Arts Festival, an annual three-day celebration of all the arts that will begin June 5, 2015. Artists and designers working in any media, including light, are encouraged to submit qualifications.

Salem is a growing, culturally diverse city with a rich literary, architectural, maritime, and immigrant history, including its role in the 17th century Salem Witch Trials. In the 19th century, it was one of the most important seaports in the country. Today it is lively destination that draws people from around the world.

The site for the Salem Arts Festival public art project is the area surrounding Old Town Hall from Essex Street on the north side to New Derby Street on the south side. It includes a section of the Essex Street pedestrian mall, all of Derby Square, and Artists Row. Except for Front Street at the lower end, the site is a pedestrian-only zone. Retail shops, restaurants, businesses, and residences are located throughout the area. The architecture includes historic colonial buildings as well as newer structures. In addition, various landscape and hardscape features could be integrated with the public art project, such as bollards, steps, lamp posts, brickwork, and trees. Notable topography from the bottom of the plaza at Front Street to the top of the hill at Essex Street creates a dramatic space around Old Town Hall.

The Salem Arts Festival public art project is an opportunity to create a unique experience for the thousands of visitors and residents who enjoy downtown Salem in the summer. In addition to the Salem Arts Festival, several other festivals, as well as a weekly farmers’ market on Derby Square Plaza, mark the season and draw crowds to the City.

From this RFQ, three to five finalists will be invited to submit concept proposals. Each finalist or finalist team will be paid a $150 stipend. One proposal will be selected for installation. The selection committee is particularly interested in artists or designers who show promise of creating a project that:

• responds to the physical, historical, and/or social attributes of the site
• reflects high level of quality in design and fabrication
• offers the potential for community interaction
• unifies the series of public spaces within the overall site
• is durable and easily maintainable for three months in exterior conditions

The budget for the Salem Arts Festival public art project is $4,200.00

Timeline:

January 16, 2015 All electronic submissions due

January 30, 2015 Finalists selected

Mid February 2015 Finalists present concept proposals in person

February 27, 2015 Final selection announced

March-May 2015 Final development of project

End of May 2015 Installation

How To Submit:

Submissions should be emailed to Deborah Greel, Public Art Planner, City of Salem, dgreel@salem.com. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, please re-send or call Deborah at 978-619-5681.

For more information, please contact Deborah Greel: dgreel@salem.com

Visit www.salemartsfestival.com for more information about the Salem Arts Festival.