The Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency was recently awarded a grant from the Wyoming Main Street program to improve the “Community Garden” space at the corner of North Front and M Streets.
With the relocation of the Community Garden to Desert View School, the lot presents a unique opportunity to bring new life and color to the corner. The Rock Springs Main Street/URA’s Lots Alive program is designed to do just that.
Lots Alive will target vacant lots in Downtown Rock Springs, in cooperation with the property owners, to bring life and color to often abandoned or overgrown spaces. The first project will target the “Community Garden” space located at the northwest corner of M and North Front Streets and we are seeking qualified artists to submit ideas for the space. The art installation should respond to our area’s history and landscape but is open to interpretation.
Eligibility:
- The Rock Springs Main Street/URA’s preference is to work with artists who are current or former resident of the State of Wyoming but all entries will be considered.
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and a minimum of 18 years of age.
- Applicant must demonstrate previous experience and expertise through a supporting portfolio submission (resume and images of current or previous work). If the Applicant does not have previous public art experience, s/he must provide references familiar with their work and capacity to complete a project of this kind.
- Applicant must be willing to meet project deadlines.
- If selected for the project, applicant will sign a contract with the Rock Springs Main Street/URA and City of Rock Springs, WY.
- Final artwork becomes the property of the City of Rock Springs. While artists retain copyright, the Rock Springs Main Street/URA and City of Rock Springs will receive permission to use images of the artwork for purposes such as publicity.
Call for Entry
This is a call for proposals open to any artist. The Rock Springs Main Street/URA is seeking an interactive art experience to be located at the northwest corner of M and North Front Streets (the current Community Garden space). The lot on this corner is at a key location on one of the primary routes into Downtown Rock Springs. They are particularly interested in an installation that is interactive, vibrant and fun – paying homage to the area’s landscape and history. All styles, conceptual approaches, and mediums are encouraged. Kinetic approaches encouraged. This competition aims to identify the best designs for transforming vacant lots in Downtown Rock Springs, WY.
Artists are invited to submit proposals for artworks that actively engage residents and community members in the design of the project. While the installation is expected to be permanent, if development of the existing lot occurs, the installation could be moved or dismantled.
The lot targeted for our first project is 51’ (along M Street) by 108’ (along North Front Street). There are existing sidewalks in the lot that can be incorporated into the design. There is no electrical power to the lot. The design should be maintenance free.
All proposed artwork must be durable, structurally sound, secure, site appropriate, and easy to maintain.
The artists’ submissions will be reviewed and final selections will be made by the Board members of the Rock Springs Main Street/URA in conjunction with the Rock Springs Main Street Design Committee.
A project budget up to $35,000 is available for this project. This amount includes all design fees, materials costs, labor for fabrication, completion, and installation. Travel is the responsibility of the individual artist.
Artists interested in this project must provide the following information:
Each artist or artist team must submit for review to the selection panel:
- Letter of Interest with Conceptual Narrative of Proposal
- Sketches, renderings, or CAD images of proposed artwork
- Materials List
- Approximate budget including additional outside funding resources (if any)
- Proposed completion timeframe
- 10 portfolio images and descriptions of past work (sized to 1200px max on longest dimension)
- Resume (please include your name and contact information)
- List of 3 Professional References (please include name and contact information).
Submission Process
All submissions should be saved as a single document in PDF format. Please save with ‘Reduced File Size’ to permit your application to be emailed. The total file size should not exceed 10mb. Email final proposals to [email protected].
Applicants will receive a confirmation email upon receipt. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact us at 307-352-1434 to verify receipt of your submission. Please refrain from inquiries once your confirmation is received. Awards will be announced in October 2016.
Selection Criteria
The selection of an artist or artist team shall be based on whose qualification best meet the requirements contained in the Project Outline.
- Artistic ability, conceptual merit, and technical expertise
- Responsiveness to the physical and cultural context of the site
- Ability to foster engagement and/or interaction by those encountering the work
- Attention to safety and appropriate choice of materials
- The artist’s experience working with the public art process and ability to work with all individuals involved
*Murals are not being considered for this project at this time.
Timeline (Tentative Schedule)
- September 15, 2016: Deadline for submission by 5:00 p.m.
- September 2016: Selection Panel review of submissions and recommendation of finalists
- October 2016: Recommended artist(s) selected
- October 2016: Awarded artists announced
- Late October-February 2016: Fabrication, Installation and Exhibition
- March 2017 – Public Unveiling
***This timeline is subject to adjustment.
If you have any questions about the project or need more information on the selection process, contact Banks at 307-352-1434 or [email protected]