City of Cayce makes massive call for art
Submission deadline: Friday, Dec. 6 at noon EST (details below)
The world-famous Hub Calls for Art Megaphone.
The City of Cayce is issuing a Call for Artists for various Art District (district) improvements. We would like to commission the following:
- Murals
- Sculptures
- Artistic seating element
- Other improvements for the city’s Arts District
Responding artists do not have to respond to each and every aspect of this call.
Background
The city is in the process of developing its historical downtown (near the intersection of State and Frink streets) into an Arts District, to build upon the momentum of our “previtalization” success and nurture the city’s vibrant arts community. This call builds upon existing investment in arts and revitalization in this area.
City council recently approved amending the city’s zoning ordinance to create an Arts Design Overlay District, which allows, among other things, artists and business owners the flexibility to live and work in the same building.
In addition to the zoning action described above, the city is in the process of developing an Art Lot in the center of the proposed Arts District, which also provides a parking location for visitors of the Cayce Riverwalk entering at the Lyles Street trailhead and visiting the nearby businesses. The Art Lot, funded by a general Connected Communities grant from Central Carolina Community Foundation (CCCF), is an initiative to develop an empty lot, previously purchased and cleared by the city, into a free public parking lot with art and recreation amenities. The Art Lot will have eight parking spaces and will include covered picnic tables, benches, various displays for art and a K-9 memorial.
Public art is essential to the vision for the Arts District. Thus, the city is commissioning artists to design and create various works of public art and other improvements that will be visible to the public as they are walking and driving along State and Frink streets and that will enhance the District.
This call for artists is being supported by a John S. and James L. Knight Foundation grant, through CCCF. It is the city’s second Call for Artists; a prior call for artists to design two murals was issued in August 2019. For various reasons, including the award of the Knight Foundation grant, the city felt it was in their best interest to reissue the call and include the additional improvements requested herein.
Murals Project Description
We believe that art can be transformative and the impact of murals has value beyond the art on the walls. It is a form of expression that gives voice to what is important in our community. The aim of this project is to bring art to public spaces by transforming empty walls into energetic and engaging spaces for the community to participate with and/or enjoy.
The exact size of the mural/s will be determined in collaboration with city staff, the property owner and the artist. The property owner at any point can decide to not proceed with the mural and at all times has final approval of the design of the mural/s. The following sites have been chosen to receive murals; however, the locations are subject to change.
- 1804 State St. (the wall is north facing)
- 2010 State St. (the wall is south facing)
The overall budget for both murals is $20,000. This amount includes all costs related to the artists’ design and project management fees, subcontract and consultant costs, overhead costs, fabrication and installation of the art mural, liability and insurance costs as required, and all other costs associated with the mural project.
Sculpture Project Description
The city desires to install two (2) sculptures throughout the district. A sculpture is defined as a visual work or art in two- or three-dimensions, which can be viewed from multiple sides. All entries must be of safe design and construction and aesthetically appropriate for display in public spaces.
Non-traditional designs and materials are welcome for consideration. We encourage use of local materials such as Guignard Brick, Cayce granite, Congaree river rocks, and CMC Steel. All designs should include how the artwork (including its base) would relate to the location.
The overall budget for both sculptures is $20,000. This amount includes all costs related to the artist’s design and project management fees, subcontract and consultant costs, overhead costs, fabrication and installation of the sculptures, liability and insurance costs as required, and all other costs associated with the project.
Seating Element Project Description
The city would also like to include an iconic, functional seating element in the district. Non-traditional designs and materials are welcome for consideration. Once again we encourage use of local materials such as Guignard brick, Cayce granite, Congaree River rocks, and CMC steel. The art pieces will have to be appropriate for public use and require minimum maintenance. The chosen pieces will be for exterior installation and requires durability and characteristics to withstand the environmental elements in the Southeast.
The overall budget for the seating element is $10,000. This amount includes all costs related to the artist’s design and project management fees, subcontract and consultant costs, overhead costs, fabrication and installation of the seating element, liability and insurance costs as required, and all other costs associated with the project.
Other Improvements for the Arts District Project Description
We welcome submissions from artists to propose other ideas for improving the Arts District.
Proposals
- A narrative and drawing illustrating the concept, including supplemental information such as medium to be used.
- An itemized budget to include the cost of all materials and supplies, design, overhead costs, fabrication and installation, liability and insurance costs, and artist stipend.
- A timetable.
- A maintenance plan and projected cost. The maintenance plan should provide recommendations for upkeep, specifically detailing the necessary steps for maintaining the piece and/or touch ups for 10 years after completion.
- A resume and artist’s statement.
- Supporting material such as examples of other works and/or reviews of similar work. Examples should describe size, materials, and location of other public works.
Responding artists must agree to the following:
- Artists authorize the use of their renderings, sketches and photographs submitted with their proposal and photographs of the finished projects in publications about the project.
- Burdens related to copyright shall be the full responsibility of artist(s).
- Submission of your work is your acknowledgement that the work represented is original; that you hold harmless the City of Cayce, sponsoring and participating organizations, their directors, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers from any responsibility, personal liability, claims, loss or damage arising out of or in conjunction with participation.
Deadline and Submissions
Proposals are due Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 at noon (EST) via email to Mendy Corder, mcorder@caycesc.gov and the selected artist/s will be notified by Monday, Dec. 23, 2019.
Evaluation and Award Process
Each proposal will be reviewed by city staff and the President of the Cayce Arts Guild. Selected artists will be notified by Monday, Dec. 23, 2019.
Artists do not have to respond to every aspect of this call. All of this work may be commissioned to one or multiple artists.
Issuance of this RFP and receipt of proposals does not commit the city to award a contract. The city reserves the right to postpone receipt date, accept or reject any or all proposals received in response to this RFP, or to negotiate with any of the artists submitting an RFP, or to cancel all or part of this RFP.
Panel Selection Criteria
The review panel will consider the following factors for each proposal:
- Ability to meet the project’s artistic goals
- Ability to collaborate with clients
- Ability to meet the project timeline
- The proposed budget for the work
Questions
Contact Mendy Corder at mcorder@caycesc.gov or 803.550.9557.