Chinatown Him Mark Lai Branch Library Renovation Project
Overview
Background
In collaboration with the community and architects from San Francisco Public Works, the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) aims to transform its Chinatown / Him Mark Lai Branch into an energy efficient, safe and resilient neighborhood library while maintaining the building’s inherent charm. SFPL plans to incorporate 21st Century library practices, building systems and technology into this landmarked 1921 Carnegie library. The existing site-specific public artwork, Take Root by artist Rene Yung, shall be re-integrated into the updated library design and in its original location. Specific goals of this project include the restoration of the grand reading room on the upper level, developing improved paths of travel throughout the library, improving the facilities for children and teens, and improving the overall design and layout of the building.
ART OPPORTUNITIES
- Wall-Mounted Two-Dimensional Artwork: Integrated into five arched niches located along the west wall of the Library’s Historic Reading Room, facing one of the main entrances into the Library. Each niche measures approximately 9’4” x 6’6”, totaling approximately 300 square feet. Artwork may consist of dye-sublimated aluminum, painted canvas, textile or a similar lightweight material.
Any remaining artwork budget may go to the purchase of 2D artworks to be installed on available interior walls of the Library.
PROJECT GOAL
- Provide an uplifting and inspiring atmosphere for library users and staff.
- Creatively use the existing architectural features of the space.
- Be an expression of the Chinatown neighborhood culture, history, identity, and values.
- Provide a community benefit, which includes providing opportunities for artists with a meaningful connection to Chinatown
AE and ARTWORK BUDGET
Total Art Enrichment Amount: $350,000
Artwork Budget: $160,000, inclusive of all artist fees, as well as associated expenses for artwork design, fabrication, insurance, and transportation.
Installation Allocation: $19,000
Artwork lighting to be provided for and covered by the Capital Improvement Project budget.
ARTIST RECRUITMENT APPROACH AND ELIGIBILITY
Arts Commission staff, in partnership with the Chinese Culture Center, will recruit artists for the opportunity through the Arts Commission’s upcoming Chinatown Artist Registry Pre-Qualified Pool. Professional practicing artists residing in the United States are eligible to apply. Arts Commission staff may also select artists from other prequalified artist lists to be considered.
Recruitment will focus on artists with a meaningful connection to San Francisco Chinatown, which may include if the artist currently resides, has resided in Chinatown, or has another significant connection to Chinatown. Artists will be asked to address their connection as part of the application process, and the review panel will be instructed to consider this connection as part of their scoring criteria.
ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS
After the application deadline the Arts Commission staff will screen applications to establish the pool of artists meeting the minimum eligibility requirements, which are professional practicing artists who reside in the United States.
The eligible applications will be presented to an artist qualification panel consisting of 2 arts professionals and 1 SFAC staff, who will review and score the applications to add to the Chinatown Artist Registry Pre-qualified Pool. SFAC staff will shortlist artists from this Pool, as well as other Pre-Qualified Pools, for consideration by the Artist Review Panel.
The shortlist of qualified artists will be presented to the Chinatown Branch Library Renovation Artist Review Panel consisting of 1 representative of the client agency, 3 arts professionals, an Arts Commissioner, and 1 community member. The panel will identify 3 finalists who will be invited to develop conceptual site-specific proposals after attending an orientation session with the project team and key stakeholders. These finalists will be paid an honorarium of $3,000 plus travel reimbursement for development of a proposal.
The Chinatown Branch Library Renovation Artist Review Panel will reconvene to consider the finalists’ proposals in an interview format and will select one artist for recommendation to the Art Commission.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- SFAC staff presented an overview of the public art project in conjunction with the CIP presentation to the community on August 19 and August 22, 2023.
- SFAC staff will partner with Chinese Culture Center (CCC) for artist outreach of the Chinatown Artist Registry. CCC will also support artists as a community liaison throughout the Artist Selection Process.
- A community representative will serve on the Chinatown Branch Library Renovation Artist Review Panel and will participate in the Artist Orientation
- The finalists’ proposals will be on display for public comment near the project site and on the SFAC website for two weeks prior to the final review panel meeting
- All review panels, Visual Arts Committee (VAC) and Commission meetings are open to the public.
TIMELINE (Subject to change)
| Community Meeting | August 19 & 22, 2023 |
| Project Plan Approval (VAC) | February 21, 2024 |
| RFQ Issued | April 2024 |
| RFQ Deadline | May 2024 |
| Qualification | June 2024 |
| First Project Artist Review Panel | June 2024 |
| Artist Finalist Orientation | June 2024 |
| Finalist Proposals Due | August 2024 |
| Final Project Artist Review Panel | September 2024 |
| VAC Approval | October 2024 |
| Arts Commission Approval | November 2024 |
| Artist Under Contract | December 2024 |
Further Information
Contact Aleta Lee, Public Art Project Manager at (415)252-2251 or by email at aleta.lee@sfgov.org.