KVB Roundabout Public Art Project - Request for Qualifications

The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, through the Metro Nashville Arts Commission Public Art Committee, is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from interested and qualified artists to design, fabricate, and install artwork(s) at a newly constructed roundabout located at 8th Avenue, Lafayette Avenue, and Korean Veterans Boulevard. The total artwork budget is $750,000, which includes artists' fees, overhead and operating costs, fabrication costs, all project-related travel, installation costs, site preparation costs, insurance, contingency, and any other artist-related costs.

Eligibility requires established professional artists with a minimum of two years professional experience and experience with commissioned work budgets of at least $500,000. This international call will result in a short list of approximately three to five semi-finalists, each receiving a $5,000 commission that includes travel expenses for a site visit to Nashville, development of a concept proposal, and presentation to the selection committee. Submissions must include a one-page letter of interest, up to ten digital images of recent work, current résumé (not exceeding four pages or 2MB), and three references. All submissions must be received via callforentry.org by May 4, 2012, at 12 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (1 a.m. Central Standard Time).

The roundabout, approximately 160 feet in diameter, will serve as a significant landmark in downtown Nashville's rapidly changing SoBro area. Artworks should engage pedestrian and vehicular viewers both day and night, relate broadly to Nashville, reflect the industrial and/or cultural history of the corridor, and resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds. The selection committee will evaluate submissions based on artistic merit, broad professional experience with similar budgets, applicable experience with engineers and contractors, references regarding ability to perform according to schedule and budget, and expressed interest in and understanding of the project. Direct all questions to [email protected] by April 27, 2012.