PROJECT BACKGROUND

Pearl Street Park is an 8.3 acre park steeped in Charlotte history. Recognized as one of Charlotte’s oldest African-American parks, the land was purchased from Thompson Orphanage in 1942. Pearl Street Park remains one of the last vestiges of Charlotte’s old Brooklyn neighborhood – a largely African-American, self-sustained community dispossessed by the urban renewal of the 1960s and 70s.

Pearl Street Park is located at 1200 Baxter St., Charlotte, NC. The park continues to serve a diverse cross- section of Charlotte’s population, offering abundant green space near Uptown Charlotte and the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Opportunities for recreation at the park include walking trails, a multi-use field, and a full-court basketball court. Soccer and ultimate frisbee are especially popular at this site.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is accepting qualifications from professional artists or teams of artists in response to a public art opportunity for Mecklenburg County’s Pearl Street Park Renovation. ASC is seeking artists or teams of artists with a demonstrated record of integrating artwork in a natural setting, while responding to specific site history and community input.

The selected artist/s will be asked to create an artwork or artworks that can serve as gathering spaces and/or unique, integrated design features into proposed park amenities. This artwork will become a signature feature of Pearl Street Park and should demonstrate themes of history, connection to nature, fitness, and strengthening community. Artwork created for this project should be able to address multiple needs, constructed of durable materials, and designed in coordination with Mecklenburg County and McAdams Company staff (design consultants for the project).

Three site locations have been identified as possible opportunities for artwork placement, the artist/s will be active in directing the design and preparation of the site/s.

(See Pearl Street Park site plan below for more specific information on possible artwork site locations.)

Art Goals and Criteria

This opportunity should achieve a cohesive and unique aesthetic experience that is distinguished from, yet sensitive to, the site and architecture of the Pearl Street Park

- Four distinct art opportunities are available for consideration:

1. Overlook/gathering space located near the park restrooms and drop-off area

2. Railing at the proposed overlook

3. Access and experience of the nested floodplain in the Little Sugar Creek tributary

4. Integrated elements at the proposed, enhanced pedestrian bridge

- Artwork should be integrated into the landscape and park amenities where possible.

- Artwork should commemorate the history of Pearl Street Park through innovative and exciting means

- Artwork should be designed to accommodate people of all ages and abilities

- Artwork should be constructed from durable materials capable of withstanding the elements and park visitor use for a duration of 20+ years

BUDGET

An amount of $265,200 is allocated to include all artists’ fees, travel expenses, design, fabrication and installation of the artwork. Engineering fees and all requirements for code compliance shall be included in this amount.

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

This call is open to all U.S. professional artists. Artists who have received a commission or purchase for over

$25,000 from the Arts & Science Council cannot be considered for another commission or purchase for 3 years after the date of a signed contract or letter of agreement. ASC staff, County or City staff, Public Art Commission members or their immediate families, are not eligible to apply for this project.

- Professional artists who have experience managing, designing and completing public art project commissions over $100,000.00 within the past five (5) years are eligible.

- Artists, contractors, designers or architects who are currently under contract with the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, are not eligible to apply. City or County staff, Public Art Commission members, ASC Board members, ASC staff, and their immediate family members are not eligible.

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY (continued)

- Architects interested in applying must have successfully completed at least three (3) public art projects within the last five (5) years to be considered eligible to participate in this opportunity. Eligibility must be demonstrated in the application materials submitted.

SELECTION PROCESS

This solicitation process is being undertaken to enable the Public Art Commission (PAC) to identify the most highly qualified artist(s) for this opportunity. A panel of local and national arts professionals

and community stakeholders appointed by the Public Art Commission will review eligible artists’ applications, determine a shortlist of finalists, interview three to five finalists and select one (1) artist or team of artists. The selected artist or team of artists will be recommended to PAC and the ASC Board of Directors to enter into agreement for this project.

PROJECTED TIMELINE

April 30, 2018 Request for Qualifications released.

June 1, 2018 Request for Qualifications application submission deadline.

September 2018 Artists notified

Fall 2018 Design Development

November 2018 Construction Begins

Spring 2020 Final Project Deadline

TO APPLY

To view/begin the application, go to https://asc.slideroom.com and sign up for an account. Applications must be received via SlideRoom by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 1, 2018. There is no application fee to apply or use the SlideRoom online application system. The following materials will be required to be uploaded to SlideRoom:

- Credentials: a Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)demonstrating professional history and skills or experience as a professional artist (maximum two pages)

- Statement of Interest: a brief introductory narrative that also provides insight about your interest in the project

- Images: up to eight (8) images or three (3) digital video or movie files limited to two minutes each – of recent work completed within the past five (5) years

- Annotation: titles, date, media and dimensions of artwork

References will be requested from the finalists

FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RFQ

For further information regarding the RFQ, please contact Todd Stewart, Program Director, Public Art, at (704) 335-3273 or by email at todd.stewart@artsandscience.org

ABOUT THE ARTS & SCIENCE COUNCIL

Since 1995, the Arts and Science Council has managed the public art programs for the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The Public Art Commission is responsible for the community-based artist selection and design review process for each public artwork. The commission is an appointed board of volunteer citizens from the arts, education and business sectors. In 2003, Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners and the Charlotte City Council adopted ordinances that appropriate one percent of eligible capital improvement project funds for public art. The ordinance helps ensure that artworks enhance our public spaces and become an integral part of urban and economic development efforts. See more at: http://www.artsandscience.org/

The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is committed to serving a diverse range of individuals and organizations through its programs and services and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or any characteristic protected by law.

ABOUT MECKLENBURG COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION

The Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department is home to 210 parks and facilities located on more than 21,000+ acres of parkland throughout Mecklenburg County. Parks in Mecklenburg County come in all shapes and sizes ranging from small neighborhood parks to large district parks. Many parks have open space amidst shade trees and unique facilities. The aquatics division offers indoor and outdoor swimming, adult/youth programs, swim lessons, special events, fitness classes and water exercise for all ages.

Best regards,

Randella

Randella D. Foster | Program Coordinator, Public Art

ASC. Culture For All.
227 West Trade St., Ste. 250, Charlotte, NC 28202
704.335.3262 | randella.foster@artsandscience.org
ArtsAndScience.org | CharlotteCultureGuide.com

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