BACKGROUND

The Southeast Treatment Plant (SEP), located in Bayview Hunters Point, is San Francisco’s largest wastewater facility, treating nearly 80% of the City’s wastewater flow. Through the San Francisco Public Utility Commission’s Sewer System Improvement Program (SSIP), the SEP will undergo operational improvements and seismic upgrades to ensure the reliability of the system and to protect the health of the community and environment.

SSIP Phase One will involve the demolition of the old Headworks Facility on the west side of Evans Avenue between Rankin and Phelps, and construction of a new Headworks Facility on the same site.  Construction began in 2018 and will continue for approximately 5 years. Project completion is anticipated in 2024.



ART OPPORTUNITY

• A series of temporary artworks for the SEP Headworks Facility construction safety fence on Evans Avenue between Rankin and Phelps Streets.
• Each installation will be on view for approximately one year starting Summer 2020 through Summer 2024.
• Artist will be responsible for the artwork design only. Artwork design will be translated into mesh vinyl banners and installed under a separate contract with a sign company.
• The SEP Headworks Facility construction safety fence measures 6’ x 624’. The available artwork area is approximately 2,400 square feet (400' x 6'). Artist may choose to do one large design, or a series of smaller designs for the available artwork area.

PROJECT GOALS

• Artwork will reflect and celebrate the vibrancy and pride of the Bayview, its people, values, and history.
• Artwork will promote environmental stewardship, which is central to the mission of the SFPUC.    
  • Artwork may reflect the SFPUC’s role in protecting public health and the environment through collection and treatment of wastewater, including the physical, chemical and biological processes inherent in the treatment process.
• Artist will have a meaningful connection to the Bayview.
• Artist will engage Bayview youth, seniors, schools, and/or community organizations in the development of the artwork design.
• In conjunction with the SEP Headworks Construction Fence Temporary Public Art Program, an annual summer internship opportunity will be offered to Bayview high school students through an established SFPUC internship program.

PROJECT BUDGET
The total budget for this temporary public art program is $202,000, which includes four artist contracts for $22,000 for artwork design, design development community workshops, and digital production. Estimated costs for banner printing and installation are included in the $202,000 total program budget.

ARTIST RECRUITMENT AND ELIGIBILITY

Artists will be selected using the Arts Commission’s Bayview Artist Registry.

ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS

Arts Commission staff will screen applications to establish the pool of applicants judged to best meet the goals of the project. These applications will be presented to an artist qualification panel consisting of 1 arts professional, 1 client representative, and 1 SFAC staff member, who will review and score the applications to identify the short list of qualified artists to be considered for the project opportunity.

The list of qualified artists will be presented to the SEP Headworks Facility Construction Fence Project Artist Selection Panel consisting of a representative of the client agency, 2 arts professionals, an Arts Commissioner, and one community stakeholder. The panel will select project artists based on past work (no finalists).

*Artist selection for the 2022––2024 years will begin Fall 2021. 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Selected artists will receive a copy of the Bayview Arts Masterplan to review and consider as they develop their proposals.
• A community representative will serve on the SEP Headworks Facility Construction Fence Project Selection Panel and will participate in the Artist Orientation
• The artists will engage Bayview youth, seniors, schools, and/or community organizations in the development of their artwork designs.
• In conjunction with the SEP Headworks Construction Fence Temporary Public Art Program, an annual summer internship opportunity will be offered to Bayview high school students through an established SFPUC internship program.
• Selected artists will participate in presentations to the Southeast Community Facility (SECF) Commission and the SECF Facilities and Design Committee.
• All selection panels, Visual Arts Committee (VAC) and Commission meetings are open to the public.