Marion Co. issues RFP for art at planned memorial park
Visual artist sought for Sen. Clementa Pinckney Memorial Park
Submission deadline:
- Postmark by Friday, Dec. 20, 2019
- OR Hand deliver by Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, 5:30 p.m.
Vision
Clementa Carlos “Clem” Pinckney (July 30, 1973 – June 17, 2015) was a Democratic member of the South Carolina Senate, representing the 45th District from 2000 until his death in 2015. He was previously a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1997 through 2000. Pinckney was a senior pastor at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston.
On June 17, 2015, Pinckney was murdered in a racially motivated mass shooting at an evening Bible study at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. in Charleston. This act of terrorism became the catalyst for South Carolina Legislature to enact legislation to remove the Confederate flag from flying in front of the South Carolina State House.
Today the Clementa C. Pinckney Foundation and The Reverend Pinckney Scholarship Fund continue the works of “Clem” by supporting the spiritual, educational and emotional health of those in need.
The Senator Clementa Pinckney Memorial Park shall serve as a memorial to the late Senator as a place of reflection, remembrance and a place of acceptance to all members of our shared society.
Design Elements
The Marion County Administration seeks to commission a free-standing outdoor work of art or installation to add to the beautification, redevelopment, and regeneration of downtown Marion. The work selected must be completed and fully installed by mid-2020. The selected work must be site-specific and constructed of weather-resistant materials.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to visual artists, ages 18 and older.
The Site
In mid-2020, the planned location for the park will be constructed between the Marion County Museum and the Marion County Council on Aging. The project will be a Marion County Park with a design that calls for a ¼-mile meandering walking path/trail, an open-air picnic structure, shade trees surrounding the large open lawn space, and ample parking. This projected site is in the heart of downtown Marion SC. The residents, business owners, and customers, and tourists
can use the park for community events, walking, and jogging.
The Senator Clementa Pinckney Memorial Park will create opportunities to encourage new and existing small business owners and entrepreneurs to invest in the Historic Downtown Marion Area. This space will be a venue for festivals, outdoor concerts, weddings, and local activities which will create new jobs. The project will offer opportunities built on new alliances, new partnerships, and a new understanding of the intersection of culture, community, equity, and
economic development. Collaborate with HMRA to bring new businesses downtown, filling empty properties and to help existing businesses grow.
The Artist Selection Process
Semi-finalists will be selected by a panel consisting of representatives from The Arts Council of Marion County, Marion Museum, Historic Marion Revitalization Association, SC and private businesses. Semifinalists will be invited to submit more detailed applications, including scale drawings for review by the aforementioned panel. The panel will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors as to which proposal should be selected.
Final Selection Criteria will be based on:
- Artistic merit
- Appropriateness to the site
- Feasibility
- Durability (appropriate for heavily used, outdoor site)
Required Application Materials
In response to this RFP, applicants must submit the following:
- Completed and signed cover sheet/certification form
- Digital portfolio:
- A link to a professional website or a jump drive with 10 digital images and title lists.
- Artwork must be clearly labeled with the artist’s name, date of completion, materials
and dimensions.
- A written description of the proposed work (no more than one page)
- Preliminary drawing of the proposed work (dimensions not to exceed 18” x 24”)
- Proposed budget
- Timeline for the project
- Current biography and curriculum vitae (CV)
- Names and contact information of two references (email and phone)
- listing of commissioned and installed work in public or private collections completed within the last 10 years.
- provide proof of insurance.
- after ten years we are not obligated to keep the artwork.
- the total cost of the project must not exceed $50,000
Budget
$50,000 for the total project including the artist’s commission, design, materials, fabrication, transportation, and installation.
Deadline for Submission
All submissions must be postmarked on 12/20/2019 or hand-delivered by 5:30 p.m. Mail to:
Marion County Administration
2523 East Hwy 76
Marion, SC 29571
Please note that applications will not be accepted by fax or email. All artists will be notified of the selection results by 1/31/2020. Installation to be completed by August 2020.
Submissions can be hand-delivered to:
Marion County Administration
2523 East Hwy 76, Room 114D
Marion, SC 29571
Link to image or image attached.
For more information
Willena Rembert
Project Manager
2523 East Hwy 76
Marion, SC 29571
843.275.6072
wrembert@marionsc.org