City of Tamarac: Tamarac Bench Design

The Tamarac Public Art Committee is seeking to commission an artist, designer, or team to create a unique standard design for both a covered and uncovered public bench. The design must be durable for the humid Florida climate, hurricane resistant, low maintenance, and affordable. The benches will be placed in parks and public places throughout the City of Tamarac. Up to ten covered benches may be installed in the new Maitland Park in summer 2014. The artist will work with the city to develop detailed designs for both a covered and open bench, produce fabrication drawings and specifications suitable for manufacture, and ensure the final design can be certified by a Florida engineer as hurricane resistant per the South Florida Building Code. Recommended materials include aluminum with powder coating, stainless steel, recycled plastic, concrete, cast stone, and renewable woods such as cypress.

The total artist fee for the design project is $20,000, covering all costs including research, community meetings, agency coordination, design drawings, fabrication documents, supervision of fabrication, and related expenses. A future contract up to $60,000 may be awarded for fabrication, delivery, and installation. The call is open to all North American professional artists, designers, and teams with experience implementing projects in the public arena. Producers and manufacturers of commercial benches are not eligible unless teaming with an artist or designer. Artists must be able to work effectively within the project timeline and collaborate with engineers, contractors, governmental agencies, community groups, and City staff.

Applications must be submitted through the CaFE online application system by 11:59 PM MDT on July 9, 2013. Submit an artist statement (maximum 2000 characters), resume(s) in PDF format, and up to 15 images of relevant past work. The selection committee will review submissions and may invite shortlisted artists to present to the panel. If a presentation is required, the City will pay up to $1,000 in travel, lodging, and per diem expenses. The selected artist will be notified by August 2, 2013, with completed designs due October 15, 2013, and fabrication documents due December 11, 2013.