Request for Qualifications
Potrero Yard Modernization Public Art Project
The San Francisco Arts Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Ramaytush Ohlone have never ceded, lost nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. As guests, we recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders and relatives of the Ramaytush Community and by affirming their sovereign rights as First Peoples. As a department dedicated to promoting a diverse and equitable Arts and Culture environment in San Francisco, we are committed to supporting the traditional and contemporary evolution of the American Indian community. 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. 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 residing in the United States to submit qualifications for three art opportunities for the Potrero Yard Modernization Public Art Project. Applicants to this RFQ will be considered for the following artwork opportunities**:
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Architecturally integrated glass artwork on the bus ramp on 17th Street measuring approximately 11,000ft2, facing Franklin Square.
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Architecturally integrated glass artwork on a multi-story stairwell measuring approximately 3,800ft2, located on Mariposa Street at York Street.
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Large-scale tile artwork on a building façade measuring approximately 3,000ft2, located on 17th Street at Bryant Street.
**Previous public art experience, or experience working with glass or tile/mosaic, is not a requirement to be considered for this call.**
PROJECT BUDGET
- Tile Artwork
- Artist Contract: $740,000
Inclusive of all artist’s fees, as well as associated expenses for artwork design, fabrication, insurance, transportation, and installation.
- Artist Contract: $740,000
- Glass Artwork #1 (Bus Ramp)
- Artist Contract (Design Only): $70,000
Inclusive of all artist’s fees, as well as associated expenses for artwork design and consultation during fabrication and installation. - Fabrication and Transportation: $1,060,000
Managed by SFAC under separate contract.
- Artist Contract (Design Only): $70,000
- Glass Artwork #2 (Stairwell)
- Artist Contract (Design Only): $40,000
Inclusive of all artist’s fees, as well as associated expenses for artwork design and consultation during fabrication and installation. - Fabrication and Transportation: $370,000
Managed by SFAC under separate contract.
- Artist Contract (Design Only): $40,000
An estimated architectural credit of $121 per square foot will be applied to the glass artwork fabrication budget in areas where the artwork replaces the existing architectural glass, with installation to be covered by the Capital Improvement Project budget.
A separate allocation of $200,000 has been set aside for costs associated with site work/preparation, to be administered by SFAC.
Project Description
The Potrero Yard Modernization Project will replace an obsolete, century-old bus yard with a modern, three-story, efficient bus maintenance and storage facility, equipped to serve the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency’s (MTA) growing fleet as it transitions to electric buses. MTA’s Potrero Yard is located at Bryant and Mariposa streets on the border of San Francisco’s Potrero Hill and Mission neighborhoods, adjacent to the American Indian and Calle 24 Latino Cultural Districts.
The project’s lead developer is the Potrero Neighborhood Collective (PNC). In addition to providing over 500 units of affordable housing for those with low or moderate incomes and multiple opportunities for commercial retail and concessions, the PNC design includes a modern, three-story bus storage and maintenance transit facility that will address critical transportation issues and improve:
- Efficiency: Repair buses faster, improving Muni’s reliability
- Sustainability: Provide the green infrastructure needed for an all-electric fleet
- Future Growth: Accommodate fleet as it grows – room for 54% more buses at the yard
- Work Conditions: Improve environments, amenities and safety conditions for 800+ SFMTA staff
For more information and updates on the Potrero Yard Modernization Project, please visit SFMTA’s project page.
PUBLIC ART PROJECT GOALS
- Illuminate and celebrate the people, history, and diverse cultures of San Francisco's Potrero Hill and Mission neighborhoods and adjacent Calle 24 and American Indian Cultural Districts.
- Highlight SFMTA’s mission to promote environmental stewardship and provide reliable, safe, and affordable transportation for all.
Selection Process
Artist Qualification Panel: The applications will be reviewed by an Artist Qualification Panel consisting of one SFAC staff member, two representatives of SFMTA (shared vote), and one arts professional who will review and score the applications to identify the short list of qualified artists to be considered for the three project opportunities.
Artist Review Panel: The list of qualified artists will be presented to the Potrero Yard Modernization Project Artist Review Panel consisting of one representative of SFMTA, one representative of PNC, one Arts Commissioner, two community representatives, and three arts professionals. The panel will identify three finalists for each glass artwork opportunity 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 $3,000 plus travel reimbursement for development of a proposal.
The Potrero Yard Modernization Project Artist Review Panel will reconvene to consider the finalists’ proposals in an interview format and will select one artist for each glass artwork opportunity for recommendation to the Arts Commission.
Upon Arts Commission approval of the recommended artists for the two glass artwork opportunities, the Potrero Yard Modernization Project Artist Review Panel will reconvene to identify three finalists for the tile artwork opportunity 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 $3,000 plus travel reimbursement for development of a proposal.
The Potrero Yard Modernization Project Artist Review Panel will reconvene to consider the finalists’ proposals in an interview format and will select one artist for the mosaic artwork opportunity for recommendation to the Arts Commission.
Arts 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. All Artist Review Panel recommendations are subject to the Visual Arts Committee and Full Arts 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 the Project Outline and/or RFQ or RFP as approved by the Commission.
- Meaningful Connection to San Francisco’s Mission and Potrero Hill neighborhoods and/or the adjacent American Indian and Calle 24 Latino Cultural Districts: Artists are asked to address their connection to these neighborhoods and districts, which the Review Panel will be instructed to consider as part of their scoring criteria.
- 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 and 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 January 22, 2024, 11:59 p.m. PST deadline.
Application materials include:
1. Letter of Interest
- Provide a description of your artistic focus, career highlights and qualifications, and particular interest in this project, including your meaningful connection to San Francisco's Mission and Potrero Hill neighborhoods and adjacent American Indian and Calle 24 Latino Cultural Districts. Do not make a specific proposal for a new commission.
2. Resume
- 25,000 character 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 information on formatting your image files, 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 year for each work. You may also include a brief statement (2 sentences maximum) about each work.
Click below to view a recording of the Virtual Pre-Application Workshop that was held on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023
https://sfgov.webex.com/sfgov/ldr.php?RCID=0283ebc6fb2b636d8b978cff4a3bcf74
Password: PxNg33x5
APPLICATION SUPPPORT
Pre-Application Technical Workshops (offered in both English and Spanish languages):
- In-Person Pre-Application Workshop: Wednesday, November 29th from 5:30pm – 7:00pm PST.
RSVP and receive location details for the in-person pre-application workshop here.
SFAC Project Manager Virtual Office Hours: Thursdays from 11:30am-12:30pm PST.
Reserve a time to meet with Public Art Senior Program Manager Jackie von Treskow to discuss this RFQ, your application, and any questions you have here.
Check out our "How to Apply to Calls" for helpful tips on how to submit the most competitive application.
Additional Questions?: Arts Commission staff will be available to answer questions about this call until 5 p.m. PST on the deadline date. 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
Qualification Panel
Week of February 12, 2024
First Artist Review Panel (Glass Artworks)
Week of February 26
Artist Finalist Orientation (Glass Artworks)
Week of March 11
Final Artist Review Panel (Glass Artworks)
Week of June 10
Visual Arts Committee Approval (Glass Artworks)
June 19, 2024
Art Commission Approval (Glass Artworks)
July 2024
Artist Under Contract (Glass Artworks)
August 2024
First Artist Review Panel (Tile Artwork)
Week of June 24
Artist Finalist Orientation (Tile Artwork)
Week of July 8
Final Artist Review Panel (Tile Artwork)
Week of October 7
Visual Arts Committee Approval (Tile Artwork)
October 16, 2024
Art Commission Approval (Tile Artwork)
November 2024
Artist Under Contract (Tile Artwork)
December 2024
Anticipated Project Completion
Fall 2027
Questions & Answers
Artists who apply to the RFQ will be considered for all three artwork opportunities. The Potrero Yard Artist Review Panel will assign each artist finalist with the specific opportunity that they will be invited to develop a site-specific conceptual proposals for.
SFAC artists calls are not geographically restricted and are open to practicing artists based in the United States. Please note, however, that a scored criteria for this application includes a question on the artist’s meaningful connection to San Francisco’s Mission and/or Potrero neighborhoods, communities, and/or adjacent American Indian and Calle 24 Latino Cultural Districts. This connection does not mean that the artist has to live or work in these neighborhoods.
No, previous public art experience is not required to be considered for this call. It is also not required that you have experience working in glass or tile. The opportunities identified for the Potrero Yard Modernization Project Public Art Program allow for any artist who works in a two-dimensional medium (murals, painting, print, photography, etc.) to be considered, as this work can be translated into a large scale using permanent materials. Selected artists will receive consistent and ongoing support from SFAC throughout all phases of the process, from conceptual proposal development to implementation.
Yes, an artist fee is included in the artist’s contract for each project. Additionally, artists selected as finalists will receive a $3,000 honorarium for the development of their artwork conceptual design proposal.
For the two glass artwork opportunities, the artist contract is for design only. This means that the contract budget will include the artist fee, as well as associated reimbursable costs associated with the artwork design development (i.e. a graphic design consultant). While the fabrication and installation of the glass will fall under the scope of the project General Contractor, the artist will be involved in a consultancy capacity for these project and all other phases, such as to review and approve material samples and mock-ups prior to fabrications, advise on lighting, etc.
Yes, artist teams are invited to apply to this and all SFAC calls. There is no advantage to submitting as an individual versus a team—each application is scored equitably in accordance with SFAC’s policies and guidelines and using the same scoring criteria, as outlined in the RFQ. If you are collaborating with another artist(s) and applying as a team, we ask that you to address the reason for the collaboration in your Letter of Interest. We also ask that you please indicate who the team’s lead artist is, if applicable, and include your team/studio resume. If a team resume is not available, please combine your individual resumes (one right after the other) of each team member into one document. Lastly, when possible, please submit images of artworks that you have completed as a team. If this is your first collaboration, and you do not have any examples of team artworks, please clearly indicate in the image descriptions to whom the artwork depicted is credited.
Your image selection should represent as best as possible the full breadth and depth of your artistic practice, as well as your ability to meet the stated goals of the project. To maximize your image allotment, you should consider if more than one image of an artwork is necessary to illustrate its full extent. If you feel like including an additional image/view of the artwork will support the panelists’ understanding of its concept and scope as they relate to the goals of the project and scoring criteria, then you can include an additional image of the same artwork as one of your ten allotted images.
Panelists will be reviewing and scoring artist’s applications based only on the materials submitted in SlideRoom. For this reason, we ask that you please do not include links in your application as they will not be viewed.
Eligibility
Eligibility is open to professional, practicing artists who reside in the United States. Entries not meeting eligibility guidelines will be withdrawn from consideration.