Call to Artists - Oregon City
ALL FOR ARTISTS
OREGON CITY ARTS COMMISSION
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS PUBLIC ART - SCULPTURE
ISSUE DATE: January 9, 2024
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 4, 2024
Project Overview
The Oregon City Arts Commission seeks an artist, or artist team, to create a replacement sculpture for Oregon City’s public art collection. The artwork will be located on the northwest corner of 7th and Center Streets in Oregon City. The new artwork will replace a piece called “Ancient Voices” by the artist Carole Turner, that was permanently damaged due to a car accident. Photographs of the intended location for the new piece and the previous artwork are included below. Please note that the Arts Commission is not looking to emulate the former piece. Rather, artists should share their vision for new artwork that will become a mid-town Oregon City landmark.
About the Oregon City Arts Commission
The Oregon City Arts Commission is a 9-member volunteer body that meets monthly. Our Vision Statement: The Arts Commission envisions and fosters a future where the arts are supported and celebrated as a vital force that builds community. We strive for a thriving, culturally enriched, and sustainable ecosystem that supports economic prosperity, diversity, equity and connection to place.
Budget
The selected artist will receive up to $20,000 for the design, fabrication, and installation of a new sculptural artwork. Fifty percent (50%) of payment will be made by check or digital transfer upon notice of award, with the remaining 50% of funds awarded after the final installation of the artwork. A copy of the standard professional services contract is available on request.
Timeline
Request for Proposals Issued: January 9, 2024
RFP Deadline: March 4, 2024
Finalists Interviewed by Arts Commission: March 21, 2024
Selected Artist Notified: First week of April 2024
Artwork Fabrication: Mid-April to June 2024
Installation of Artwork: July-September 2024
**Please note that the above dates are subject to change with notice. Please include a timeline for
the fabrication and installation of the artwork if it is substantially different from the approximate
schedule outlined above.
Location
The northwest corner of 7th and Center Streets in Oregon City, Oregon. A square platform measuring approximately 48 inches x 48 inches x 5 inches tall remains at the suggested location and is visible in the Google Map photo above. The platform may be utilized or removed. There is no known structural element to the existing platform.
Selection Process
The selection will be done by the Oregon City Arts Commission. The Arts Commission will review application materials and select 2-3 finalists to meet for an interview. We would like to hold interviews at the March Arts Commission meeting, currently scheduled for March 21, 2024 at 7 pm. Interviews may be held in-person or remotely. The Arts Commission will share the submissions from the 2-3 finalists with the McLoughlin Neighborhood Association for information purposes. The location of the new artwork is in the McLoughlin neighborhood of Oregon City. The Arts Commission is not responsible for lost or delayed applications. The Arts Commission reserves the right to reject any or all entries at any time in the review and selection process or to re-release the call for entries. Applications from artists living within Clackamas County will be prioritized. Artists of color are encouraged to share their submissions.
Selection Criteria
Artists/artist teams will be selected based on artistic excellence, demonstration of skill and quality craftsmanship conveyed in examples of past work. Other factors include the strength and originality of the concept conveyed in the Vision Statement and proposed design.
More specifically, the following criteria will be considered in selecting the artist(s):
1. Preference for artist living within Oregon City, or more broadly in Clackamas County
2. Demonstrated successful experience in the creation of public sculpture
3. Ability to meet deadlines of projects with similar scope
4. Demonstrated success in translating or expressing concepts and themes through artwork
Application and Submission Requirements
Interested artists should submit a PDF document with the following elements:
1. General resume, including current place of residence.
2. Artist’s Vision Statement - A brief letter describing your interest in the project as well as your preliminary vision/concept and plan for the artwork.
3. Description of medium, process, and method you will use to create the proposed work of art.
4. 1-3 examples of previous works (jpeg, pdf, website or Instagram links) with title, year, dimensions, medium, photograph(s) and a brief description.
5. 1-2 Reference(s). If you have previously worked with a public organization/local government agency before, kindly provide this contact information.
Please submit your application materials to Ann Griffin at agriffin@orcity.org.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The City of Oregon City respects the civil rights of all the people we serve. In April 2022, the Oregon City City Commission approved the following Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitment:
In Oregon City we strive to be a place where all persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, or ability feel safe, respected, and valued. We will work to ensure that all staff feel a sense of belonging and all city services and programs are equally available and accessible to everyone. We are committed to sustained improvement by doing the work necessary to achieve this goal. The Artist/Consultant chosen to conduct this work certifies that she/he/they will not discriminate against employees, subcontractors, agency staff or other members of the public based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age.
