Alameda Creek Watershed Center Public Art Project

Artist Qualification Panel: RFQ applications will be reviewed by an Artist Qualification Panel consisting of two arts professionals and one SFAC staff, who will review and score the applications to identify the short list of qualified artists to be considered for the project opportunity based on the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence, innovation, originality, and appropriate for public space as evidenced by representations of past work and other supporting materials. 
• The artist’s work is judged to be appropriate to the goals of the project. 
• The artist's professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project, including working in a large scale.
• The artist is available to consult with community and Muwekma Ohlone Tribe representatives in the development of the artwork design.
• The artist is available to participate in the design, approval and implementation of the project as required.

Artist Selection Panel: The list of qualified artists will be presented to the Alameda Creek Watershed Center Project Selection Panel consisting of one representative of the SFPUC, one Arts Commissioner, one community member, one representative of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, and three arts professionals. The panel will identify at least three finalists who will be invited to develop conceptual site-specific proposals after attending an orientation session with the project team and key stakeholders. Each finalist will be paid an honorarium of $2,000 for the development of a conceptual design proposal, plus the reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses, approved by the Arts Commission prior to travel arrangements being made for the orientation and panel interview.

The proposals shall be displayed at a location in proximity to the project site for written public comment prior to the final selection panel meeting.

The Alameda Creek Watershed Center Project Selection Panel will reconvene to consider the finalists’ proposals in an interview format, as well as a summary of public comments, and will select one artist and an alternate for the project for recommendation to the Arts Commission. 

Arts Commission Approval: The Artist Selection Panel’s recommendation will be submitted first to the Visual Arts Committee, a subcommittee of the Arts Commission and then to the full Arts Commission for approval.

All Arts Commission meetings and Public Art Selection Panel meetings are open to the public and are posted on the Arts Commission website at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. To check the meeting schedule for public art projects, please go to our website at: https://www.sfartscommission.org/calendar. 

ARTIST SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS

• Complete application submitted prior to the application deadline. 
• Artwork examples submitted represent the artist’s own original creative work.
• The artist’s work reflects artistic excellence, innovation and originality, as evidenced by professional quality of craftsmanship and mastery of skills, techniques; professional approaches to processes and presentation, and/or communicate a unique vision or perspective. 
• The artist’s work is judged to be appropriate to the goals of the project, including working in a large scale.
• The artist's professional experience is adequate to meet the demands of the project. Qualifying activities would include some combination of the following: education and training as an artist, an exhibition record in museums, commercial art galleries, and/or non-profit art spaces, previous public or private commissions; participation in artist-in-residency programs, or other related activities indicative of a professional art practice.
• The artist is available to consult with community and Muwekma Ohlone Tribe representatives in the development of the artwork design.
• The artist is available to participate in the design, approval and implementation of the project as required. 
• Assessed ability to meet project deadlines and to perform work in a timely and professional manner.
• Results of reference checks for project finalists.