Call to Artists: CSM MARTIN R. “GUNNY” BARRERAS MEMORIAL PARK  

Jan 25, 2024 | Calls to Artists, Featured, News, Opportunities, Public Art, Public Art Opportunities

Opportunity Details

Status: Open
Due date: February 26, 2024 11:59 pm
Award: $38,845
Managed by: City of Tucson
Submission link:
  • GUIDELINES_2024 CTA_CSM Martin R. “Gunny” Barreras Memorial ParkDownload Guidelines (pdf) | English
  • LINEAMIENTOS_2024 SPA CTA_CSM Martin R. “Gunny” Barreras Memorial ParkDownload Guidelines (pdf) | Español
  • PROJECT OVERVIEW

    The following park improvements were completed in June 2023 (with fields opened in fall 2023). The CSM Martin R. Gunny Barreras Memorial Park was budgeted for $4.3 million in 2018 voter-approved general obligation bond dollars. In addition, the City secured a $500,000 Arizona State Parks American Rescue Plan Act Grant for the renovation and development of the park, $150,000 of American Rescue Plan Federal funding for fitness equipment, $220,282 from Tucson Water “Storm 2 Shade” Green Infrastructure funding, and additional funding to complete the projects.

    Prop 407 Park Improvements Features

    • Renovation of existing track surface 
    • A new walking path 
    • Renovation of the irrigation system 
    • Expansion and renovation of on-site parking  
    • Reorienting the park entrance of South Campbell 
    • Renovation of existing restrooms 
    • A new playground with shade 
    • New ramada 
    • New LED lighting of the football field 
    • New LED lighting of two softball fields 
    • Converting 2 basketball courts to 3 pickleball courts 
    • New outdoor fitness equipment court
    • Splash pad 
    • New restroom

    PUBLIC ART COMPONENT

    The City of Tucson Department of Parks and Recreation in collaboration with the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona invites artists to submit qualifications for the opportunity to create innovative public artwork for the CSM Martin R. “Gunny” Barreras Memorial Park Project. 

    This Request for Qualifications public art opportunity is open to all forms of public art that are appropriate for the Southern Arizona climate. Public artwork(s) for this project may include but are not limited to murals, mosaics, and concrete slab enhancements on walking surfaces and walls (e.g., concrete walkways and masonry), and other integrated aesthetic elements. The artwork components will be exposed to harsh desert elements, sustainable materials as well as functionality in this climate are essential to address longevity and maintenance.   

    PROJECT TIMELINE

    Public art project timelines follow the schedule of the larger improvement. Dates are subject to change.

    Thursday, January 25, 2024Call to Artist Guidelines Posted 
    Monday, February 26, 2024Application Deadline at 11:59 p.m. Arizona Time
    March 2024Application Review Stage
    Self-paced online application review
    March 2024Artist Selection Meeting 1: Select 3 finalists   
    2 Hours – Virtual Zoom Public Meeting
    Review all application scores and select 3 finalists.
    April 2024Artist Selection Meeting 2: Finalists Presentations and Interviews
    2 Hours – Virtual Zoom Public Meeting
    Presentation and Q/A from each finalist.
    Panel selects one Artist/Artist Team.
    Wednesday, May 8, 2024Present selected artist at PACD Public Meeting
     June 2024 – August 2024Artwork Design Phase: Panel Meetings, Broader Public Meetings.
    September 2024 – December 2024Fabrication, Installation.

    PROJECT PLANS

    ARTWORK BUDGET

    The all-inclusive maximum budget listed above is for all artworks and related costs. This includes the artist fee, insurance, stamped engineering plans, tax requirements, mileage, research, community engagement, panel meetings, contract labor, fabrication, platforms, earthwork, lighting, and installation of the artwork(s). Please note that raw material prices may change during the scope of this project. 

    ELIGIBILITY AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST

    This public art opportunity is open to all professional artists and artist teams.  

    Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona employees, board members and their immediate family members are prohibited from applying to this project. Any person in a position to receive financial gain from the selection of artist(s) will be ineligible to serve on a public art project panel. All panel members must declare any conflict of interest and recuse themselves if a conflict of interest arises.

    Applications must be completed solely by the artist or team lead applying for the project. Applications submitted from Artists’ representatives, managers, or galleries will not be accepted. Artist teams are required to select a team lead that will contract directly with the city to become a vendor. The city will disburse funds only to this individual. The team lead will also be the point of contact for all communications. Artists applying as a member of a team are not eligible to apply as an individual.

    PUBLIC INTERFACE AND EXPECTATIONS

    Community feedback and participation is essential to creating artwork that represents neighborhood identities and cultures in the design of the artwork. The selected artists will be required to attend one or more public meetings for the project. The artist must attend a public meeting to present a drawing and/or maquette of the proposed artwork.

    SELECTION PROCESS

    Artists are selected through a fair and equitable selection process by a panel of seven or more individuals including local artists and art professionals, project stakeholders and members of the community. New panels are formed for every public art project. Arts Foundation staff do not directly participate in the art selection process. Our role is to facilitate the process in accordance with the City of Tucson Public Art Program. The panel will review all artist submissions and conduct two artist selection meetings to determine the panel’s recommended artist for this project. The first artist selection meeting will determine three artists/artist teams as finalists. The three finalists will provide a presentation on their scope of work and interest in this specific project to the panel, followed by a Q&A session. The panel recommendation for the commission will be presented at the PACD public meeting listed above.

    The following criteria will be considered during the review of applications: 

    1. Does the applicant demonstrate the ability to translate artistic concepts into materials that are appropriate for public space, taking into consideration long-term maintenance, safety, and suitability to the Sonoran Desert climate? 
    2. Does the applicant demonstrate the ability to work with the community to produce artwork designs that reflect local, cultural, and historical themes of Tucson and Southern Arizona?
    3. Does the applicant demonstrate a high probability of successful completion for the scale and scope of this specific project?

    Once the artist is selected, the panel will convene as many times as necessary throughout the project and specifically to: 1. Review all design concepts. 2. Recommend any changes to designs based on their expertise and the response to community input. 3. Recommend that the artist proceed to Risk Management Review and production when satisfied that all design issues have been resolved, consensus on the final design achieved, and that the Public Involvement Plan has been implemented in accordance with the Public Art Program Selection Policy.

    HOW TO APPLY

    Prepare Application 

    Carefully review the eligibility, expectations, and scope of this opportunity prior to submitting your application. 

    1. Prepare your artist statement. The statement must include your particular interest in this project and your connection to or interest in the project location. 300 word maximum. 
    2. Prepare your resume. Two page maximum. Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf 
    3. Prepare six (6) image samples of your artwork. Images must represent completed work by the applicant(s). Proposals or renderings will not be accepted. Acceptable file types: .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png 
    4. Prepare your image list. List each image sample of your artwork. For each image submitted please list the title, date, your role in the project, and provide a thumbnail of the image. Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf 

    Submit Application 

    1. Go to Submittable:  artsfoundtucson.submittable.com/submit 
    2. Select the project from the list. 
    3. Login or sign up for an account.  
    4. Complete the eligibility requirements.  
    5. Complete all applicant Information. 
    6. Submit your artist statement.  
    7. Upload your resume.  
    8. Upload six (6) image samples of your artwork. 
    9. Upload your image list.   
    10. Complete demographic data. 
    11. Review your application and submit form. 

    A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you used to create your Submittable account.  

    You may be contacted regarding your application via Submittable, email, or by phone

    CONTACT US

    If you have questions about the application process or content of your application, please email us at publicart@artsfoundtucson.org or call (520) 624-0595

    If you encounter any technical issues with the online application platform, please email the Submittable at support@submittable.com or call (855) 467-8264.

    To find out more about our public art opportunities, sign up for our monthly newsletter here https://artsfoundtucson.org/newsletter

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