Ray Charles Easley Memorial Sculpture RFQ

This project is generated by the City of Chicago's Public Art Menu Program, through which DCASE works collaboratively with Aldermanic offices to administer neighborhood public art commissions using discretionary capital funds provided by the City's Wards.

DCASE, Alderman Christopher Taliaferro, and the 29th Ward seek to honor Ray Charles Easley for his significant contributions to the Chicago Westside community. As a long-time community activist with the Westside Branch of the NAACP, Mr. Easley held the position of Chair of the labor and industry committee, where he facilitated job opportunities for Westside residents by offering classes, teaching basic skills, assisting with job applications, and providing computer guidance. In addition to his work with the NAACP, Mr. Easley served as the human resources director for the Village of Maywood and collaborated with organizations such as the Westside Ministers' Coalition, the Westside Health Authority, and the Northwest Austin Council. He also chaired the board of Circle Family Health Care Network.

The sculpture will be located near the east entrance of Austin Town Hall Park, 5610 W. Lake St. Chicago, IL 60644, next to Central Avenue. Successful proposals will approach the artwork's subject with a deep understanding of Ray Charles Easley's personal story and his leadership role in impacting the Westside of Chicago. Designs will be informed by a robust community engagement process involving the artist and interacting with project area neighborhood residents, Ray Charles Easley's family, historians and organizers. Designs should include elements of appropriate size, scale, likeness and orientation to engage viewing from multiple vantage points. The artwork must be engineered to withstand the demands of a permanent outdoor installation in a dense urban setting and require minimal to no annual maintenance; only durable and resilient media will be considered. Artists skilled in crafting sculptures that accurately capture the likeness of the subject are preferred.

Applications must include: a one-page letter of interest, a two-page CV, six to ten images of past large-scale public art and infrastructure projects, and an annotated image list. One optional video of no more than two minutes may also be submitted. Following the application deadline, a selection panel will review applications and select 3-4 finalists, who will be commissioned to develop public art proposals. Finalists will present their design proposals and a final artist or artist team will be selected. Finalists will be paid a $1,000 honorarium to develop proposals. The artwork commission will be $150,000, inclusive of all costs and fees for the artist to execute the project from design through structural engineering, fabrication, site preparation, and installation. A State of Illinois certified engineer will be required for structural drawings and calculations. An installation contractor licensed to perform work in the public way in the City of Chicago will be required for installation.