Lexington EcoArt Request for Qualification

The Lexington Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works in collaboration with LexArts is initiating a national invitation and selection process for public art that will produce a portfolio of up to five production-ready proposals for exterior artwork to be permanently or temporarily installed in downtown Lexington. Through a two-stage process of Request for Qualifications and a follow-up Request for Proposals, the initiative aims to generate increased awareness of environmental issues important to Lexington, celebrate Lexington's unique bluegrass environment, educate citizens about water quality and conservation, and promote a healthy and sustainable quality of life.

Phase I: Request for Qualifications seeks all qualified artists with the experience and capacity to produce permanent or temporary artwork for Fayette County. $75,000 has been set aside for the realization of 1 to 3 public artworks. Up to 5 artists will be asked to present fully-developed proposals, with each artist awarded a $2,000 honorarium and up to $600 for travel to visit Lexington. After review by a jury assembled by Lexington Environmental Quality and LexArts, a collection of up to 15 artists will be publicly exhibited and reviewed. Up to five artists from the RFQ submissions will be selected as candidates for the Request for Proposals with the ultimate goal of realizing three of the five proposals. Guiding criteria for selection include: ability to draw public attention to environmental issues, artistic distinction, changeability/interactivity with public or natural elements, low maintenance and durability, resonance with Lexington's unique history and heritage, and contextual integration into a specific urban site.

Phase II: Request for Proposals invites up to five artists to participate in a Request for Proposals for specific public artwork for downtown Lexington. Each artist will be awarded $2,000 upon receipt of qualifying submissions with a travel allowance of up to $600 per finalist. Completed proposals will be assembled as a portfolio to be published and exhibited by LexArts or related public entity. Successful proposals must provide a working familiarity with Lexington and its urban areas, a written document expressing the conceptual framework and artistic point of view, a timeline and budget for production and installation, and an estimate of replacement, routine maintenance or repair. Submissions must include 3-6 images formatted as .pdf on 8½ x 11" pages. The RFQ submission deadline is August 31, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Applications can be submitted through the CAFE system or by mail to: EcoArt Public Art RFQ, c/o ArtsPlace, 161 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY 40507.