City of Clearwater Gas System Utility Complex Mural RFQ

The Clearwater Public Art & Design Program seeks an artist or artist team to develop artwork for the Clearwater Gas System (CGS) Utility Complex redevelopment. The complex is located north of Downtown Clearwater at 777 Maple Street and serves as the main headquarters for the utility. CGS is owned and operated by the City of Clearwater since 1923 and serves approximately 27,500 customers in 20 municipalities and unincorporated areas in Pinellas and Pasco counties. The new Utility Complex consists of seven new buildings with 57,000 square feet of space and replaced the utility's former campus that was built 50 years ago.

Artwork possibilities include mosaic or mural installations. The west façades of buildings 3, 4, and 8 front the Pinellas Trail, a rail trail stretching the entirety of Pinellas County. Altogether, the three buildings have over 3,500 square feet of eligible surface for a public art installation. This opportunity is open to professional artists residing in the United States and working in any site-appropriate media. A budget of $100,000 has been approved for artwork. The selected artist or artist team will be awarded a comprehensive contract and will be responsible for artwork design, fabrication, materials, installation, insurance, travel, public presentations, meetings with city staff as necessary, identification plaque, and all related incidental expenses.

Submittal requirements include a professional resume (artist teams must submit resumes for each member), a letter of interest outlining your interest in the project and a preliminary statement of approach, and a minimum of three (3) images with a maximum of six (6). Images of finished works or conceptual drawings can be submitted. A selection panel consisting of a Public Art & Design Board representative, Clearwater Gas representative, arts professionals, and community representatives will review artists' qualifications. Several artists will be selected to provide proposals and each artist will be paid a stipend of $1,000 for their proposal. Final artist selection will take place after review of the artist proposals. Artists will be evaluated on artistic excellence, professional experience, and compatibility with the architectural design, facility environment, and values of the City of Clearwater and the Clearwater Gas System. Artwork installation is scheduled for January–March 2021. For further information, contact Christopher Hubbard, Cultural Affairs Coordinator, at [email protected] or (727) 562-4067.