RFQ
Potrero Gateway Park Public Art Project
Project Overview
The San Francisco Arts Commission invites artists and artist teams residing in the United States to submit qualifications for a public artwork at the Potrero Gateway Park. The site provides many opportunities for mural and tile treatment, and may also accommodate art lighting if budget and site constraints allow.
Project Budget
The total budget for artwork is $217,000 inclusive of all artist's fees, as well as associated expenses for design, fabrication, insurance, transportation and installation.
Please note that any installation for performed on site classified as a “public work” under state law (such as the laying of electrical conduit for art lighting) must be performed by a licensed contractor under an agreement directly with the city. All work, whether performed under the artist’s contract or under contract to the city must be included in the $217,000 budget.
Project Description
In 2004, members of the Mariposa-Utah Street Neighborhood Association (MUNA), met to address a poorly maintained Caltrans property bordering the 101 freeway on 17th Street between Vermont Street and San Bruno Avenue. This area, comprised of Caltrans right-of-way property, presents a myriad of urban problems such as encampments, crime, debris dumping, and more. A major thoroughfare to the Potrero Hill neighborhood, MUNA deemed this area the Potrero Gateway Park (PGP). In 2015, MUNA formed the Potrero Gateway Steering Committee (PGSC), which worked extensively to plan and fundraise resources to improve the Potrero Gateway. PGSC subsequently received substantial funding and support from multiple public agencies and the surrounding neighborhoods to address the identified problems in the Potrero Gateway public space.
The PGP project has found support from neighborhood organizations like the Potrero Boosters, City services like the Public Works Department and development projects like Trumark, Spear Street Capital, Walden Development and the San Francisco Design Center. Work already has started on the PGP Project with the creation of an Eco-Patch, where neighborhood volunteers, under the direction of Field Collective, collaborate with the California Native Plant Society, Yerba Buena Chapter as well as the Dogpatch and NW Potrero Hill Green Benefit District (GBD).
Opportunities for artwork at this site include:
- Murals on the four 8’ x 8’ concrete blocks at sidewalk level
- Murals and or tile on retaining walls and concrete planters/seaters that will be added to the site
- Ground embedded up-lighting installed along the sloped area may possible if budget and site constraints allow.
CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT (CALTRANS) REQUIREMENTS
Artwork at this location is on Caltrans property and, therefore, is subject to Caltrans requirements. Ownership of the artwork will be transferred to Caltrans upon final acceptance and will not be owned by the City and will be maintained by MUNA and the GBD. In addition to the contract the selected Artist will enter into with the Arts Commission, Caltrans requires Artists to enter into an agreement with them for any artwork on their property. A copy of that agreement may be found here. Note: Caltrans has a number of restrictions on what can be done on the site. For instance, the overpass structure itself cannot be touched. With the exception of lighting, the slope will not be considered an art opportunity. The Caltrans Art Requirements may be viewed here.
Upcoming capital improvements on Vermont Street (design in progress)
Upcoming capital improvements on San Bruno Avenue (design in progress)
Project Goals
- Art that transforms the 17th Street area from one currently of blight to be avoided, into an engaging, beautiful and compelling public environment and thoroughfare
- Art that connects to the larger Potrero Gateway Project
- Art that enhances wayfinding, and enrichens the experience of traveling through the area
- If possible, art that has both a day and night presence
Selection Process
Artist Qualification Panel: The applications will be reviewed by an Artist Qualification Panel consisting of a representative from Arts Commission staff, an arts professional, and three members of the PGSC to identify a list of qualified artists to be considered for the project opportunity.
Artist Review Panel: This list of qualified artists will be presented to an Artist Review Panel consisting of an Arts Commissioner, three members of the PGSC, two arts professionals, and a member of the DPW design team. After considering the artists’ qualifications, the Artist Review Panel will identify finalists for recommendation to the Arts Commission for approval. The finalists will be invited to develop conceptual proposals after attending an orientation session with the project team and key stakeholders. Each finalist will be paid an honorarium of $2,500 for 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 on SFAC’s webpage for written public comment prior to the final review panel meeting.
The Artist Review Panel will reconvene to consider the finalists’ concepts in an interview format along with any community input and will select one artist and an alternate for recommendation to the Arts Commission.
Arts Commission Approval: The Artist Review 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.
ARTIST SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
The scoring criteria is informed by the agency’s values and goals, as referenced in SFAC’s Racial Equity Statement and the goals specific to this project.
SFAC Racial Equity Statement
The San Francisco Arts Commission is committed to creating a city where all artists and cultural workers have the freedom, resources and platform to share their stories, art and culture and where race does not predetermine one’s success in life. We also acknowledge that we occupy traditional and unceded Ohlone land. Fueled by these beliefs, we commit to addressing the systemic inequities within our agency, the City and County of San Francisco and the broader arts and culture sector. This work requires that we focus on race as we confront inequities of the past, reveal inequities of the present and develop effective strategies to move all of us towards an equitable future.
Scoring Criteria:
Artistic Merit: Artistic merit may be judged by such measures as originality of concept and artistic vision; the degree to which the work engages the viewer emotionally, intellectually, spiritually; the quality of craftsmanship or mastery of skills and techniques. Artistic merit may also be accredited to artwork that reflects a significant or direct relationship between artist and distinct racial or cultural communities.
Relevant Skills & Experience: The panel shall consider the assessed ability of an artist to successfully implement the project, such as the ability to work constructively with other project stakeholders, meet deadlines, willingness to resolve issues as they arise, and generally manage the demands of the project. Cultural competency and/or significant connection between the artist and the project constituency, or experience that may particularly qualify an artist to meet project goals may also be considered.
Meets Project Goals: Proposal that meets the specific goals of the project.
- Art that transforms the 17th Street area from one currently of blight to be avoided, into an engaging, beautiful and compelling public environment and thoroughfare
- Art that connects to the larger Potrero Gateway Project
- Art that enhances wayfinding, and enrichens the experience of traveling through the area
- If possible, art that has both a day and night presence
Appropriate to Site: The proposal is appropriate for its intended display location in terms of scale, media, design or imagery and is judged relevant within the context of the surrounding community and is appropriate for the mission and operations of the client department.
Feasibility and maintainability: The proposal is judged to be feasible within the budget and current Caltrans requirements, and maintainable within the means of MUNA and the GBD.How To Apply
Applications are available through SlideRoom, an online application system for calls for entry. There is no charge to artists for using SlideRoom. Please be sure to allow adequate time to submit your application as technical difficulties can occur. Applications that are mailed, emailed, faxed or hand-delivered will not be considered. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. Application materials include:
1. Letter of Interest
- One page maximum.
- This should be a summary of your artistic focus and professional career, especially as your background relates to this project. Do not make a specific proposal for a new commission.
2. Resume
- If you are applying as a team, please include your team/studio resume. If that is not available, please combine the individual resumes (one right after the other) of each team member into one document.
3. Ten images of previous work
- SlideRoom accepts all image file types up to 5MB. Images should at least 72 dpi and no larger than 1280 x 1280 pixels
- For team application, please indicate the lead artist for each project.
- For more information on media, please click here.
4. Image Descriptions
- When you upload your images, SlideRoom will prompt you to fill out image descriptions. Please include the title, medium, dimensions, and the create date for each work. You may also include a brief statement (2 sentences maximum) about each work.
Check out our How to Apply to Calls for helpful tips on how to submit the most competitive application.
Please note that Arts Commission staff will be available to answer questions about this call until 5 p.m. (PT) on the deadline date, January 11, 2021. Please contact Craig Corpora at craig.corpora@sfgov.org or 415-252-2249
SlideRoom technical support is available Monday – Saturday by email, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (PST) support@slideroom.com.
Project Timeline
|
RFQ Application Deadline |
January 25, 2021 |
|
Qualification Panel Meeting |
Early February 2021 |
|
Review Panel 1st Meeting |
Mid-February 2021 |
|
Orientation for Finalists |
Late February 2021 |
|
Finalist Conceptual Proposal Due |
Late March 2021 |
|
Review Panel 2nd Meeting |
Early/Mid-April 2021 |
|
Approval of recommended artist by Visual Arts Committee |
April 21, 2021 |
|
Approval of recommended artist by Full Commission |
May 3, 2021 |
|
Artist under contract |
June 2021 |
|
Anticipated completion |
December 31, 2021 |
*Estimated Project Timeline Subject to Change
Eligibility
Eligibility is open to professional, practicing artists who reside in the United States. Entries not meeting eligibility guidelines will be withdrawn from consideration.