Request for Qualifications
SFO Terminal 3 West
The San Francisco Arts Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone. We affirm the sovereign rights of their community as First Peoples and are committed to supporting the traditional and contemporary evolution of the American Indian community and uplifting contemporary indigenous voices. 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.
Project Overview
The San Francisco Arts Commission invites artists and artist teams to submit qualifications for multiple art opportunities in a variety of media as part of San Francisco International Airport’s Terminal 3 West Modernization project. The project goal is to create a continuous experience of art in Terminal 3 West by commissioning major site identity artworks that reflect and celebrate the distinct character of San Francisco and enhance and contribute to the rich Civic Art Collection holdings at SFO.
Each art opportunity will range from approximately $125,000 to $1,000,000 for integrated work. The art budgets are inclusive of all artist's fees, as well as associated expenses for design, fabrication, insurance, transportation, and installation consultation. Installation will be managed by the Arts Commission under a separate budget.
Project Description
The Terminal 3 West Modernization Project consists of the renovation and expansion of the west portion and connector to F concourse of the Terminal 3 facility at San Francisco International Airport. The project area is located between the secure connector to International Terminal Boarding Area G and T3 Boarding Area E. Artwork opportunities are both pre- and post-security.
The overall design inspiration for the project is “A Day in the Life.” From the client: “In San Francisco, the weather, sky, and light change dramatically throughout a single day, and are an ever-unfolding backdrop to the theater that is our rich culture of food, art, and life. The reimagined Terminal 3 renovation will reflect this dynamic amalgam through a variety of experience moments distributed throughout both passenger and employee journeys.”
Confirmed Art Opportunities include:
1. F Plaza Skylight Suspended Sculpture
- May consist of a series of suspended sculptures by one artist
- 5,500 sq. ft. L shaped ceiling area beneath three skylights with 25 ft. ceiling height; Hanging piece should be above 13 ft. for airport signage clearance
- Each location bearing capacity: Uniform load 20psf, Point Load 2,000 lbs.; max total load 10,000 lbs.
- Art budget: $1,000,000
2. Outdoor Deck Sculpture
- Series of three sculptures by one artist installed on concrete pedestals in planters (possibly two smaller sculptures with one larger sculpture)
- 10,000 lbs. each; 7 ft. max height
- Art budget: $650,000
3. Various opportunities for two-dimensional integrated artwork
- Media includes glass and tile.
- Art budgets range from approximately $125,000 to $350,000, each.
- There will be a separate RFQ released for the purchase of two-dimensional existing works.
Some unique 2-dimensional opportunities that are still being considered are:
1. Super Highway 2-D Wall Art
- Two long wall planes adjacent to moving walkway (may be more than one artist)
- 7 ft. x 110 ft. each
- Art budget: $1,000,000
2. East Stair Feature on Risers
- 6 ft. wide, 13 ft. 3 in. tall staircase with risers approximately 6 ¾ in.
- Art budget: $350,000
Selection Process
Artist Qualification Panel: The applications will be reviewed by an Artist Qualification Panel consisting of representatives from Arts Commission staff and arts professionals to create a list of the most qualified artists to be considered for the project opportunities. Artists from other qualified pools may also be presented to the Artist Qualification Panel for inclusion on the short list.
Artist Review Panel: The shortlist of qualified artists will be presented to an Artist Review Panel consisting of three arts professionals, one SFO Museum staff member, and one representative from the design team. After considering the artists’ qualifications, the Artist Review Panel will identify three finalists for each of the project opportunities 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 as outlined below 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:
- F Plaza Skylight Suspended Sculpture: $5,000
- Outdoor Deck Sculpture: $3,000
- Honorarium’s for 2-D works range from $3,000 to $4,000 depending on scale.
The Artist Review Panel will reconvene to consider the finalists’ concepts in an interview format and will recommend one artist for each project opportunity to the Arts Commission.
Arts and Airport Commission Approval: The Artist Review Panel’s recommendations will be submitted first to the Visual Arts Committee (VAC), a subcommittee of the Arts Commission and then to the full Arts Commission for approval. The Artist Review Panel’s recommendations will also be submitted to the Airport Commission for approval. All Artist Review Panel recommendations are subject to the Visual Arts Committee and Full Arts Commission, and the Airport Commission.
All Arts Commission meetings and Public Art Review 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 calendar.
ARTIST SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS
Selection Criteria for Artists and Artwork: Artists and artwork will be selected in accordance with the Mission and Goals of the Civic Art Collection and in accordance with the criteria below. Criteria to be used when considering when scoring an artist’s application for a commission and/or acquisition of artwork by either purchase or commission shall include, but not be limited to the following considerations. Per City contracting requirements, artist applicants who are registered as a Local Business Enterprise will be given a rating bonus of 10% relative to other applicants.
- 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 qualify of craftsmanship or mastery of skills and techniques. Artistic merit may also be credited to artwork that reflects a significant or direct relationship between the artist and distinct racial or cultural communities.
- Relevant Skills & Experience: Review Panels and the Commission shall consider the assessed ability of an artist to successfully implement a proposed 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.
- Meet Project Goals: The proposed artwork (or the assessed ability of an artist to design a proposal) meets the specific goals of the project as defined in this RFQ and in the Project Plan approved by the Commission.
- The Artwork is Appropriate to the Site: The artwork or proposed artwork is appropriate for its intended display location in terms of scale, media, design or imagery and is judged to be relevant within the context of the surrounding community, and is compatible with the mission and operations of the client department.
- Feasibility, maintainability: Proposed objects shall be evaluated relative to their feasibility and evidence of the artist’s ability to successfully complete the work as proposed. Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to: project budget, timeline, and the artist’s experience. Due consideration shall be given to the structural and surface soundness, and to inherent resistance to theft, vandalism and weathering, and to the cost and amount of ongoing maintenance and/or repair anticipated.
- Contributes to the Quality of the Civic Art Collection: The artwork is judged to support and improve the city’s collection in terms of artistic qualify and diversity of artists represented. The Arts Commission is committed to acquiring art works that reflect diversity in style, scale, media, and artistic sources as well as diverse cultural communities and perspectives. The Arts Commission also encourages exploratory types of work as well as established art forms.
- Public Safety and Accessibility: Artwork shall be evaluated to ensure that it does not present a hazard to public safety and complies Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and with all other applicable building codes.
- Duplication: Artists will be asked to warrant, as a condition of their agreement with the City,that the artwork commissioned or purchased is unique and an edition of one, and shall not be duplicated unless it is part of a limited edition or otherwise stated to the contrary in the artist’s contract with the Commission.
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 October 7, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (PDT) deadline.
Application materials include:
1. Letter of Interest
- 5,000 characters maximum.
- This should be a summary of your artistic focus and professional career, especially as your background relates to your qualifications for this project. Do not make a specific proposal for a new commission.
2. Resume
- 25,000 characters maximum.
- 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 about working with media, 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 year 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. (PDT) on the deadline date, October 7, 2024. Please contact Amy Owen at amy.owen@sfgov.org
SlideRoom technical support is available Monday – Saturday by email, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (PST) support@slideroom.com.
Project Timeline
RFQ Deadline Oct. 7, 2024
Qualification Panel Oct. 14 - 28, 2024
First Project Artist Review Panel First week of Nov. 2024
VAC Approval of Project Finalists Nov. 20, 2024
Artist Finalist Orientation First week of Dec. 2024
Finalist Proposals Due Feb. 3, 2025
Final Project Artist Review Panel Week of Feb. 10, 2025
VAC Approval of Selected Artists Feb. 19, 2025
AASC Approval Feb. 2025
SFO Commission Approval Feb. 2025
Arts Commission Approval Mar. 2025
Artist Under Contract Apr. 2025
Anticipated Installation Feb. 2027
Eligibility
Eligibility is open to professional, practicing artists who reside in the United States or have representation from a US based gallery willing to contract with the Arts Commission on the artist’s behalf. Entries not meeting eligibility guidelines will be withdrawn from consideration.