Metro Nashville Arts Commission: RFQ Bellevue Branch Library Public Art Project

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 Bellevue Branch Library. The total artwork budget is $100,000 for one artwork or multiple related artworks, including artists' fees, overhead and operating costs, fabrication costs, all project-related travel, installation costs, and site preparation costs, plus insurance and contingency.

The artwork will be located within an open outdoor space north of the library building, standing in an informal amphitheater that serves as a focal point to a central gathering space. Stacked stone walls will radiate out in a spiral form and create areas for seating. The artwork should reflect the vibrancy and diversity of the Bellevue community, resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds, contribute to a positive and stimulating environment, represent the everlasting strength of books, and may include sustainable materials. The project is open to professional artists and artist teams who reside within approximately 350 miles of Nashville, including all of Tennessee and Kentucky and cities such as Asheville, Birmingham, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Montgomery, Charleston, and Little Rock. Professional artists must be at least 18 years of age with at least two years of visual art exhibition history or at least two years of commissioned visual or public art. This RFQ will result in a short list of approximately three to five semi-finalists, who will each receive a $2,000 commission for travel expenses for a site visit, concept proposal development, and presentation to the selection committee.

Submissions must include a one-page letter of interest, up to six digital images of recent work, current résumé (not exceeding four pages or 2MB), and three references. Selection will be based on artistic merit, broad experience as a professional artist, experience applicable to this project, references regarding ability to perform according to schedule and budget, and expressed interest in and understanding of the project. Installation date is September 2014.