The City of Columbia has authorized One Columbia to manage the development of several public art projects. The purpose of the public art initiative is to commission a number of works of public art on pre-selected sites along Columbia’s Main Street.
One Columbia is creating a registry of artists who are interested participating in future public art projects to submit their qualifications. You must submit your qualifications to be considered for a forthcoming request for proposal.
This Request for Qualifications is open to all visual artists born, raised, or currently residing in South Carolina, to showcase the talents of our community. All forms, styles, and schools of taste shall be given equal consideration, examples of which are shown in the Public Art Directory.
Artist Selection
The selection of artists is a two-phase process. The first is a submission of qualifications by interested artists. Artists will be evaluated based on artistic excellence, experience, and ability to complete the project successfully based on the merit of their past work.
Qualifications will be reviewed by the selection committee. The selection committee is composed of knowledgeable constituents and arts professionals invited by One Columbia and the City of Columbia to serve. Candidates whose qualifications best match the requirements of the project sites will be invited to submit a formal phase two proposal specific to the location for consideration by the selection committee.
Submissions are open to all artists with a connection to South Carolina, but One Columbia reserves the right to reject any and all submissions. Expenses for phase one submissions and phase two proposals shall be borne fully by the artist. There is not a specific number of artists the committee intends to select in phase two, but it hoped that there will be approximately 5 worthy of consideration. Compensation for the design and production of the artwork shall begin after the final selection of the artist and a successful negotiation between the two parties.
A visual artist or professional artist is defined as a practitioner in the visual arts, generally recognized by critics and peers as a professional of serious intent and ability. Indications of a person’s status as a professional artist include, but are not limited to, income realized through the sole commission of artwork, frequent or consistent art exhibitions, placement of artwork in public institutions or museums, receipt of honors and awards, and training in the arts.
Updates to Submitted Qualifications
Once an artist has submitted their qualifications to One Columbia, they will be considered for any future public art projects that One Columbia participates in. If you have already submitted your qualifications and wish to provide updates, please resubmit the form, noting that it is an updated submission.
Site Selection
Site selection is being the generosity of adjacent property owners, the appropriate staff of the City of Columbia and any other key stakeholders. Any restrictions on the artist and the art will be dependent on the site selected, (example: the use of water, electricity and/or moving parts).
A workshop for artists on the public art application process was held on July 8, 2013. The workshop presentation includes some helpful tips and resources to help artists submit their qualifications.
For more information, contact:
Mary Gilkerson
Public Art Consultant
803-386-1702
publicart@onecolumbiasc.com
1219 Taylor Street
Columbia, SC 29201
www.onecolumbiasc.com