PROJECT OVERVIEW
Capital Improvement Project
Silverbell Road Improvement Project will widen 8 miles of Silverbell Road, from Grant Road to Ina Road, to a curbed four-lane divided roadway with pedestrian facilities, bike lanes, lighting, drainage improvements, raised median islands, new native landscaping, and public art. The project will be completed in three (3) phases.
- Phase 1: Grant Rd to Goret Rd. (Completed)
- Phase 2: Goret to El Camino Del Cerro (In Progress)
- Phase 3: El Camino Del Cerro to Ina Rd (Future)
Public Art Component
The public art opportunity for this project is open to all forms of free-standing public art that can withstand the harsh outdoor Southern Arizona climate. This project calls for 3-5 roadside public artworks to be installed along Silverbell Rd between Goret Rd. and Camino Del Cerro Rd. The artworks should also function as landmarks that include pedestrian/bike path enhancements. (e.g., shade structures, seating, bike racks, etc.) 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 Capital Improvement Project. Dates are subject to change.
| Thursday, February 16, 2023 | Call to Artist Guidelines Posted |
| Thursday, March 30, 2023 | Application Deadline at 11:59 p.m. Arizona Time |
| Thursday, April 6, 202311am-12pm | Panel Orientation1 Hour – Virtual ZoomReview of Panel Process |
| April 16 – May 1, 2023 | Application Review StageSelf-paced online application preview |
| Thursday, May 4, 202310am-12:30pm | Artist Selection Meeting 1: Select 3 finalists 2.5 Hours – Virtual Zoom Public MeetingReview applicationsPanel selects 3 finalists. |
| Thursday, June 1, 202310am-12:30pm | Artist Selection Meeting 2: Finalists Presentations & Q/A2.5 Hours – Virtual Zoom Public MeetingFinalists Presentations & Q/A.Panel selects one Artist/Artist Team. |
| Wednesday, June 14, 2023 | Present selected artist at PACD Public Meeting |
| July 2023 – February 2024 | Artwork Design Phase: Artist(s) design artwork with community input. Panel Meetings and Public Meetings required. |
| Mid 2024 – Late 2025 | Fabrication, Installation. In some cases, installation may not occur until construction is near complete. |
PROJECT PLANS
Existing Roadway
With Roadway Improvements
Landscape Concept
ARTWORK BUDGET
The all-inclusive maximum budget listed above is for all artwork/design enhancements and related costs. This includes the artist fee, insurance, tax requirements, mileage, research, community engagement, panel meetings, engineering plans, labor, fabrication, platforms, earthwork, lighting, and installation of the artwork(s). Please note that the length of the project, building material shortages and rising costs may affect your project budget.
ELIGIBILITY
This public art opportunity is open to professional artists and artist teams both nationally and internationally. Applicants with experience creating holistic environments or integrating green materials and technology are highly encouraged to apply.
Note: 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. (AD 7.01-3)
SELECTION PROCESS
Artists are selected through a fair and equitable selection process by a panel of seven or more individuals including local artists, local 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 (AD 7.01-1). 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 15 min presentation on their scope of work and interest in this specific project to the panel, followed by a 10 min Q&A session. The panel recommendation for the commission will be presented at the PACD public meeting listed above.
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 (AD 7.01-4).
HOW TO APPLY
Prepare your Application
- Carefully review the eligibility, expectations, and scope of this opportunity prior to submitting your application.
- Prepare your artist statement that includes your particular interest in this project. Your statement is limited to 300 words.
- Prepare your resume. Resumes must be no more than two (2) pages maximum. Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf
- Prepare six (6) artwork image samples. Images must represent completed work; proposals or renderings will not be accepted. Acceptable file types: .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png
- Prepare your artwork image list. This is a document with information about each artwork image sample. For each image submitted please list the title, date, dimensions, your role in the project, and provide a thumbnail of the image. Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf
Submit your Application
- Go to the online application form, Submittable: artsfoundtucson.submittable.com/submit
- Select the project you are applying for.
- If you already have an account, Sign In. If you don’t have an account, select Sign-up to create one.
- Complete Applicant Information. If you are applying as an artist team designate one member as Team Lead. Name, email, and role are required for each team member.
- Submit your artist statement.
- Upload your resume.
- Upload your artwork image samples.
- Upload your image list.
- (Optional) Complete Demographic Data.
- Review your application and submit form.
Notifications
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.
If you have questions about the application process, content of your application, or wish to request this publication in an alternative format, please contact us publicart@artsfoundtucson.org or call (520) 624-0595
If you encounter any technical issues with the online application platform, please reach out to the Submittable team at support@submittable.com or (855) 467-8264.
To sign up to receive email notifications for future public art opportunities offered through the Arts Foundation, click here http://artsfoundtucson.org/about/.
