Public Art Opportunity – Call for Qualifications
Boyd Island Public Art Project

Deadline for Submissions February 28, 2020 (NOW CLOSED)

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS: BOYD ISLAND PUBLIC ART PROJECT
In partnership with the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation, One Columbia for Arts and Culture (a non-profit organization formed to support and promote tourism in Columbia, South Carolina) is seeking to commission an artist or artist team to design, fabricate, and install an original series of sculptural works of art to be located on Boyd Island, an island located along the Three Rivers Greenway in the confluence of the Saluda and Broad Rivers that form the Congaree River.

PROJECT OVERVIEW
The City of Columbia is highly recognized as a destination for experiencing its rivers and outdoor fun: fishing, kayaking, tubing, greenways, as well as regular river-oriented programming at Riverfront Park.

Boyd Island is a four-acre parcel of land that lies at the Piedmont fall line. It is located along the confluence of the Saluda, Congaree. and Broad Rivers. The island can be accessed by a pedestrian bridge connecting to the Saluda Riverwalk near Riverbanks Zoo which also connects it the rest of the Three Rivers Greenway. Boyd Island and the greenway are connective thoroughfares for adventurers, pedestrians and cyclists who are seeking to access not only nature and recreation, but also nodes of art and culture.

The final project will consist of a series of three to five (3 to 5) sculptural pieces that may be brought to the site or created in place. The artwork should be site-specific or site responsive. Immersive installations should create a sense of destination, interest and should also provoke curiosity and wonder inspired by the diversity of the site (water and land), flora/fauna, history and industry. Sculptural work specifically referencing the fauna of the South Carolina Midlands is preferred.

BUDGET: $100,000
The project budget is inclusive of all project costs, including artist’s fees and expenses, taxes, materials, travel, shipping and crating, insurance fees, design, fabrication, installation/execution and transporting of the artwork to the project site.

ELIGIBILITY
This competition is limited to professional artists and teams who have demonstrated experience creating artwork suitable for outdoors and are legally qualified to work in the US. Artists must have successfully completed at least two significant permanent public art commissions in the last ten years with at least one of which had a project budget of at least $30,000. Submissions not meeting eligibility requirements will be withdrawn from consideration.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Coversheet with the following information: Artist(s) contact information: name(s), mailing address, telephone number and email
• Credentials: CV/Resume
• Three Professional references: (names, phone numbers and email addresses)
• Letter of interest (limit one page) detailing your qualifications and relevant experience, interest and a general approach to this project
• Ten images of previous works (only one image per page)
• Annotated image list: brief descriptions with title, date, location, materials, art budget. For team application, please indicate the lead artist for each project

DO NOT SUBMIT IMAGES OF INCOMPLETE PROJECTS OR PROJECT PROPOSALS, PRELIMINARY SKETCHES, PROPOSAL IDEAS FOR THIS PROJECT

EVALUATION CRITERIA
The panel will evaluate applications on the following criteria:

• Quality and aesthetics of past work
• Experience with public art projects of a similar size and scope
• Ingenuity/innovation of materials
• Demonstrated experience working with communities
• Flexibility and approach working on public projects

SELECTION PROCESS
A selection panel consisting of representatives from the One Columbia’s Public Art Committee, Boyd Foundation, City of Columbia and River Alliance will review all eligible submissions.

Up to three artists will be short-listed by the selection panel. Short-listed artists will be asked to develop a concept design proposal and compensated a stipend of $500 upon presentation of their complete concept design proposal. Concept Design Proposal shall include: a project narrative explaining the general context and approach of the artist’s concept, draft budget, timeline, and visual representation or the artwork as a scaled maquette, digital rendering or scaled drawings.

The selection panel will review each Short-listed artists’ completed concept design proposals and choose one artist to award the commission. Short listed artists will be strongly encouraged to review all aspects of the site prior to submitting their final concept design proposals. Artists from outside the Columbia area who choose to arrange a site visit prior to their interview will be reimbursed travel expenses.

The selection panel will review each short-listed artists’ completed concept design proposal and choose one artist to receive the commission.

TIMELINE
Submission deadline February 28, 2020
Short-listed artists notified March 9, 2020
Short-listed artists interviews April 2020
Selected Artist under contract May 2020
Target Installation/dedication November 2020

ARTISTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
Selected artist(s) or artist team will be expected to work with One Columbia staff or their designees to develop and implement the specifications and details of the public art project.
Including the following:

• Developing the final design proposal inclusive of descriptive narrative, project budget, and project timeline
  
• Selecting appropriate materials for the artwork
  
• Attending meetings with stakeholders as necessary (virtual or in person)
  
• Obtaining all required permits
  
• Maintaining appropriate insurance for the artwork until City has accepted the artwork
  
• Fabrication, installation and delivery phases
  
• Providing detailed instructions to care for and maintain the artwork
  
• Providing detailed documentation on the engineering, machined parts, and other custom details including MSDS sheets

The final proposal will need to meet all public safety requirements and be suitable for all ages.

Questions regarding this solicitation must be directed in writing to BoydIsland@onecolumbiasc.com.

Qualifications Are No Longer Being Accepted for this Opportunity