The complete RFQ, including site plans, location, and renderings, is attached as a PDF to this post (scroll down to the bottom of the page).
The City of Woodland seeks artists or artist teams with professional experience in the design, fabrication, and installation of public artwork to submit their qualifications and a short proposal to be considered for a public art project at the new Woodland Aquatic Center.
Through this initial call, the selection committee may select up to three (3) artists to present design proposals. Selected artists will be provided a design stipend to develop a more detailed, site-specific proposal. These proposals will then be presented to the selection committee, where a final design will be chosen and recommended to City Council.
This project is open to artists throughout Northern California. Special consideration will be given to artists with a local connection.
Budget: $100,000 is available for all related expenses of this commission, including, but not limited to, artist fees, fabrication, insurance, engineering, shipping, travel, installation, and documentation. A proposal should not exceed the maximum stated budget amount.
The City of Woodland reserves the right to supplement, amend, or otherwise modify this RFQ at any time as needed.
Prospectus
The City seeks a permanent work of art to be integrated into the new Woodland Aquatic Center.
The Woodland Aquatic Center broke ground in August 2024 and will deliver much-needed pool capacity and improved facilities to the community. The facility remains on schedule for completion before the end of 2025. Adjacent to the main entrance, a south-facing 17-foot-tall wall has been identified as a potential location for a public art piece.
Schedule
- May 2, 2025: Artist proposals due
- May 2025: Selection committee convenes to review proposals and select finalists
- June 2025: Finalist materials and proposals due and shared with the committee
- July 2025: Selection committee convenes to review finalist materials and make a recommendation to the City Council.
- August 2025: Recommendation considered and artist(s) contract executed
- September 2025: Artwork fabrication begins
- December 31, 2025: Artwork installation complete
Timeline is estimated and subject to change.
Selection Process Specifics
All complete submissions that meet the basic requirements of the project will be reviewed by the selection committee. Each will be reviewed according to the criteria listed above, with special consideration given to local respondents. A group of no more than three (3) artists may be selected and paid a $1,000 stipend to provide site-specific proposals including up to two (2) revisions. The selection committee will review site specific submissions and then make a final recommendation to the Woodland City Council. All meetings of the City Council are open to the public. For full agendas and meeting info, visit bit.ly/woodlandmeetings.
Security, Liability, and Maintenance Considerations
Artwork must be secured in such a manner that it may not be removed or altered. In particular:
- All artwork must be securely mounted to the surface
- Ceramic or glass must be securely mounted and/or protected by unbreakable cases (vitrines) or coverings
- Artwork may not contain any sharp edges
- Artwork may not be fabricated from any materials that may be removed with or without force, be broken off, or otherwise altered
- Consideration must be given to maintenance and deterioration, especially because the selected site faces south and will receive substantial sun and UV exposure. For this purpose, mosaic or ceramic artwork may be favored over other comparable mediums.
Submission Instructions
To be considered, applicants must submit:
- Artist statement (Maximum 500 words): A general introduction to your work. Discuss the concepts and ideas you explore in your artwork and how they are presented. In addition, describe any connection you have the local community. If you are applying as a team, the statement should describe the contribution of each collaborator.
- Resume (Maximum 2 pages): Outline your recent experience and accomplishments as an artist or artist team.
- Work samples (Maximum of 10): Include digital image files with corresponding titles to match the support description list (see below).
- Support description list: For each image submitted, include relevant project information. For example, list the title, date, size, location, budget, commissioning organization, and medium.
- References: Include three references to your work. Names and contact information only.
- Preliminary proposal: Briefly present your preliminary proposed project idea. Describe your conceptual thought process and materials you intend to use as well as an approximate budget. Concept sketches, designs, or mockups are encouraged.
Legal
The selection process and contract award shall not be based on nor consider race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, color, sex, age, disability or handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The City of Woodland reserves the right to supplement, amend, or otherwise modify this RFQ and to request additional information at any time.
In addition, the City may choose to modify any or all proposals or part thereof submitted in connection with this project; waive any defect or technicality; and request new proposals when in the best interest of the project.
If, regardless of circumstance, the contract for the commission of the artwork is not executed within one hundred-eighty (180) days of notification of the selected project, the City reserves the right to terminate negotiations and negotiate with the next highest ranked proposal with the concurrence of the selection panel.