PLACE - Public and Local Artists Creating Environments - Call to Artists

City of Ventura
PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITY
Public and Local Artists Creating Environments
(P.L.A.C.E.)

Deadline for submissions: February 27, 2015

Public and Local Artists Creating Environments
The City of Ventura is seeking qualifications from Southern California artists for a series of temporary public art projects to enhance our Historic Downtown and Westside Cultural Districts during the July 2015 ArtWalk. Temporary public art projects create new ways to appreciate shared environments, inspire creativity within a community, and encourage conversation about the arts.

The Project
These temporary public artworks will be on display in Ventura in July of 2015 during the Summer ArtWalk. Ventura’s Historic Downtown and Westside Cultural Districts are areas rich in early California history. These districts are home to Mission San Buenaventura, the historic City Hall building, Ortega Adobe, the Museum of Ventura County, Bell Arts Factory, Art City and Stoneworks Studios, the Working Artists Ventura live/work project and many others. Ventura’s ArtWalk is a two-daylong self-guided walking tour, featuring over 200 regional artists at over 30 venues.

The Artwork
Commissioned artists may create temporary public art for this project in the following locations:

(1) Exterior of City Hall building
(2) Figueroa Plaza
(3) Mission Park
(4) Kellogg Park
(5) PODs Gallery at California and Main Street
(6) Other pocket parks located throughout downtown

Artists may propose other locations within the Downtown and Westside neighborhoods. Careful consideration should be given to the site if proposing a different location. Private property with public accessibility may also be considered.

A broad range of artistic styles, forms, materials, and conceptions will be considered for this commission. Among the wide array of materials to be considered include mixed media, projection, and other unusual media forms. Artwork will be on display for approximately one month. Depending on the nature of the artwork, artists and fabricators may be required to hold liability insurance.

Eligibility
This opportunity is open to interested artists residing in Southern California.

Selection Process
The selection panel will include members of the Public Art Commission, community representatives, and arts professionals familiar with the field of public art. The panel will have the option of selecting a small group of finalists (3-4) to interview prior to making a recommendation. Finalists will be paid a $500 honorarium to develop their concepts. The criteria used by the panel will include: artistic merit; relevance to site; positive community impact; proven ability to undertake projects of a similar scope; concept as evidenced by the submitted materials; and demonstrated ability to work with government agencies and the community in the creation of an art project.

The artists will be required to present their final designs to the Public Art Commission for approval prior to fabrication.

Budget
The selected artists or artist teams will be awarded a $2,000 – $4,000 contract. The commission includes design, fabrication, materials, installation, travel expenses, and some incidental costs.

Application Workshop
Interested artists are encouraged to attend a workshop about this project. Topics discussed will include how to submit a competitive application, available locations, the feasibility of different types of projects, and insurance liability. This workshop will be held in February 11, 2015 at 5:15 PM at Ventura City Hall. Interested artists must RSVP February 9, 2015 to Public Art Project Manager Tobie Roach at (805) 658-4759.

How to apply
Interested artists must submit the following by February 27, 2015.

1. Statement of interest and qualifications
2. Resume for each participating artist
3. Digital images of previous projects (10 images maximum)
4. Digital images list (indicating title, dimensions, materials, date of work, and location of each work)
5. Proof of liability insurance (if applicable)
6. Self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of application materials

SUBMITTAL DELIVERY

Submitted materials may be hand delivered or mailed but must arrive by 4:00 PM Friday, February 27, 2015. Postmarks are not acceptable.

Send materials to:
Public Art Program
Tobie Roach
City of Ventura
PO Box 99
Ventura, CA 93002-0099

Hand-deliver applications to:
Public Art Program
City of Ventura
Ventura City Hall
501 Poli Street, Room 226
Ventura, CA 93001

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Depending upon the scope of the project, some artists may be required to hold general liability insurance in order to participate. The City of Ventura will assess final proposals and notify artists if this requirement will be applied.

The City of Ventura reserves the right to reject all submittals and not award a contract for this project

For further information contact Public Art Project Manager Tobie Roach at (805) 658-4759 or by email: troach@cityofventura.net or Community Partnerships Manager Denise Sindelar at (805) 658-4793 or by email: dsindelar@cityofventura.net.

PROJECT TIMELINE
Application Workshop: February 11, 2015
Qualifications Due: February 27, 2015
Panel Review: March 5, 2015
Finalists Interviews: March 30, 2015
PAC Approval of Projects: April 14, 2015
Contract with Artists: April 27, 2015
Installations: Late June – End of July, 2015