CALL FOR ARTISTS
Southern Regional Tech/Rec Complex
Public Art Project #1: Exterior Entry
PROJECT BUDGET: $110,000
Application Deadline: July 15, 2011
Click Here to Download the RFP and Application in PDF format
Introduction
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation invites artists with professional experience in creating public art or site specific commissions to submit an application to design, fabricate and install original works of art for the exterior grounds of the Southern Regional Tech/Rec Complex (Tech/Rec), currently under construction in Fort Washington, Maryland. There are two concurrent calls for public art applications for this site; Project 1 – Exterior Entry and Project 2 – Patio. Artists and artist teams may apply for both, but no one artist or artist team will be awarded both commissions.
Eligibility
Individual artists or artist teams from Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia are eligible to apply.
Project Background
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an unprecedented five-time Gold Medal Award winner for excellence in park and recreation management from the National Recreation and Parks Association. Since opening the first community center in 1968, M-NCPPC programs and facilities have grown to a total of 44 community centers located throughout Prince George’s County. As the cornerstones for local leisure time activities, community centers offer classes, programs, drop-in activities and special events for people of all ages. Gymnasiums, meeting rooms, multipurpose activity rooms, weight/fitness rooms are standard features in most centers, often supplemented with outdoor amenities including play equipment, athletic fields, multipurpose courts, picnic areas and trails.
The Southern Regional Tech/Rec Complex was envisioned as an exciting technology oriented state-of-the-art public recreation facility that will be a major draw for the county. The building will be registered with the United States Green Building Council and certified with a Silver LEED rating in sustainable design. The building will be 32,000 square feet, contain two high school size gymnasiums with an elevated walking track, fitness facilities for both adults and teens, aerobics areas, computer room/digital studio, music recording studio, a climbing wall, a multi-purpose room/rental facility with a warming kitchen, an environmental science area, meeting rooms, and two cyber cafe areas for teens and adults. There will be an outdoor patio area for special events or general seating. Future plans include outdoor athletic fields adjacent to the building. Walking trails in the fields and wooded areas will connect to the nearby Tucker Road Athletic Complex. The community in the southern area of Prince George’s County is eagerly waiting the opening of this new center.
The building’s site and planned programming influenced the design, as well as M-NCPPC’s commitments to preserving open space, stewardship of natural resources, responding to our community’s evolving needs, and fostering health and wellness. The site includes an open area and a wooded section that serves as a buffer to the neighboring residential area. The wooded portion will generally remain undisturbed. The building’s interior and exterior will have an inviting aspect. Open program areas, reception and waiting areas, cyber cafes and the fitness center are arranged on the front of the building, which is a long, curved curtain wall of patterned glass tinted in soft blue, green and gray that will provide natural, consistent light from the northern exposure. The curve of the façade provides a welcoming gesture with a high tech feel, and the reflective glass allows for a sense of fluid motion as approaching patrons see themselves and the outdoor setting reflected. This portion of the building will also have a green roof. Other programming elements, such as the gymnasium, meeting and classroom spaces, and multipurpose room, will be amassed in taller, individually articulated forms behind the curved glass section. In addition to the glass curtain, which will be treated to reduce glare and solar heat gain/loss, the remainder of the exterior will be architectural metal panel.
The interior will be mostly white block and tile, accented by deep eggplant and apple green. There will be metal mesh panel screens to divide the fitness spaces, allowing patrons to sense the activities throughout. Selected furnishings will be contemporary, and in some cases multi-functional and modular.
Facility Construction Schedule
The facility is currently under construction and is expected to be turned over to M-NCPPC in autumn of 2011 and open to the public in Spring 2012.
Artwork/Design
Aesthetically the Tech/Rec building represents a departure from most of M-NCPPC’s community center buildings, in that it is techno contemporary and on a larger-scale. As patrons access the building from the various parking areas, they may have substantial walks. M-NCPPC is looking to commission artworks for Tech/Rec Public Art Project #1, to possibly be 1) at or near the main entry OR 2) at or near the multipurpose room entry adjacent to the parking areas and driveways. The artworks should be designed and situated to engage patrons as they approach the building and both mark their arrival and provide a sense of continuity. The works may also provide a respite or invite contemplation of humanity’s relationship with technology, the built environment, and the natural environment and how these forces influence daily life. The works may also respond to the Department of Parks and Recreation’s commitment to wellness, as it applies to physical and mental wellbeing, living in sync with the natural world, and acting responsibly for the preservation of the earth. Designs for artwork should be respectful of the building’s design intent and not overly obscure the façade. Suggested materials or techniques may include but not be limited to metal, glass, ceramic, tile, installation art, etc.
Artwork must:
- not pose a risk of injury to the public (example: sharp points)
- meet fire codes with respect to flammability
- withstand being outdoors and be durable in all weather conditions
- not interfere with the operation and serviceability of the building or access
- require little or no maintenance
Project Budget
$110,000 has been allocated for the total project to include all fees and costs for the final design, materials, fabrication, installation, documentation of the installed work, transport, insurance, any necessary technical engineering fees and artist fees.
Honoraria
$1000 will be provided to each finalist or finalist team selected to develop and present proposals, which shall include a scale model, samples of materials, and project budget. The project budget shall include estimates of the costs for materials, fabrication, outside contractors, engineering, transport, and installation.
Eligibility
Artists and artist teams residing in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, and West Virginia with previous public art or large scale installation experience may apply.
Application Deadline: July 15, 2011
Tentative Project Schedule (subject to modification)
- July 15, 2011 – Application Deadline
- Mid August 2011- Finalists Notified
- Late August/Early September 2011 – Community Dialog and Site Visit
- Mid October 2011 Artists Presentations to Panel
- Late October 2011 – Artist Awarded Commission
- December 2011-Complete Contract
- January-March 2012 – Artwork Fabrication
- May 2012 – Artwork Installation
Application Requirements: All applications must include the following:
- One completed and signed application form.
- Artist’s Statement: briefly describe your interest and qualifications for this project.
- Describe your experience and approach in working with communities to produce public art.
- Resume highlighting artistic experience and work, including site-specific artwork and public commissions.
- One CD containing 10 digital images of completed artwork formatted as JPEG. JPEG size should measure 8″x10″ at 300 DPI (a 20 MB file each). Images must match cue sheet on application form. Only digital images submitted on CD will be accepted as a demonstration of the applicant’s artistic qualifications. CD should be clearly labeled with your name and contact information.
- Three professional references.
- Concepts should not be submitted at this time, as they will not be considered.
- Applications without the prerequisite components will be deemed ineligible and not reviewed by the selection committee.
- If Artist Teams are applying, each team member must include support materials, resume, and references.
- Applications must be received by July 15, 2011.
- Applicants may elect to have their CD included in the M-NCPPC Public Art Database or to have their materials returned by checking the appropriate box on the application. Should you want your CD returned, please include a self addressed, stamped envelope. M-NCPPC will not be responsible for lost or damaged CDs.
Application Submission Address:
Southern Regional Tech Rec – Call for Artists, Public Art Project #1
Attention: Jeneanne Hunter, Arts Coordinator,
M-NCPPC 7833 Walker Drive, Suite 430
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Contact
Jeneanne Hunter, Arts Coordinator: 301-446-3242
email Jeneanne.hunter@pgparks.com
Selection Process
- M-NCPPC will appoint a selection panel to consist of:
* One M-NCPPC Arts & Cultural Heritage Division Representative;
* Two M-NCPPC Southern Area Representatives;
* Two M-NPPC Park Planning & Development Representatives;
* Two Community Members, including one artist
* The Selection Panel reviews applications and evaluates them on:
* artistic and technical merit of past projects
* successful track record of executing public art projects
* style and aesthetic suitability to site
* location and project intention of past works -quality of completed work. - The Selection Panel will recommend up to 3 Artist Finalists from which full proposals will be solicited. The Selection Panel reserves the right not to select any Finalists.
- Prior to developing maquettes, Artist Finalists will have an opportunity to gather information about the community and site through a site visit.
- Finalists will individually present proposals and maquettes to the Selection Panel. The Selection Panel will evaluate all proposals and select one proposal from an artist or artist team as the winning proposal to receive the commission.
- The Selection Panel will base their decision of Proposals from the Finalists on:
* artistic excellence
* artist qualifications
* appropriateness of the artwork to the intended site in terms of scale, form,
* content, material
* durability of the artwork relative to theft, vandalism, and environment
* how it addresses the project scope
* professional references
The Selection Panel will make a recommendation to the M-NCPPC Department of Parks and Recreation Director. - The Selection Panel reserves the right to request minor modifications to the awarded design.
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@ Gateway Arts Center
Brentwood, MD 20722
301-277-2863/ tty. 301-446-6802
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Gallery Hours:
10am – 7pm Monday through Friday.
10am – 4pm Saturday.
Closed Sunday.
Free. Open to the Public.
| The Brentwood Arts Exchange – exchanging ideas through art. A facility of The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Department of Parks & Recreation, Prince George’s County, Arts and Cultural Heritage Division.
The Department of Parks & Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. Arts programs of The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation are supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. |
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