Request for artist qualifications: Metrolinx public art opportunities

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Request for artist qualifications: public art opportunities
Closing: May 29, 2017, 9am EST

Metrolinx
97 Front Street West
Toronto, ON
Canada

www.metrolinx.com

Metrolinx invites professional artists to submit their credentials for consideration to the first stage of competition for several upcoming integrated public art opportunities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Canada.

The first opportunity is the Davenport Diamond Grade Separation in Toronto with a total integrated art budget of 4 million CAD all-inclusive. This 1.4km elevated guideway and green corridor in an urban setting will increase community connectivity and create new public spaces.

Additional art opportunities include transit station new builds and Rapid Transit corridors in municipalities across the GTHA. Art budgets range from 250K–1M CAD each.

This request for artist qualifications is the first of a two-stage competitive process to identify artists to be considered for upcoming projects.

Integrated Art Project rationale
Metrolinx's principles for integrated art are conditioned by a desire to link architectural expression to art, and to provide works that complement and enhance the public's experience. It is anticipated that the future integrated artworks will be representative of the highest calibre of contemporary art today. The integrated art to be commissioned will be uplifting, impactful and relevant.

Definition of Integrated Art
Metrolinx defines integrated art as any type of integrated physical or audiovisual artwork that goes above and beyond the base expression of a building or open space, with the explicit purpose of artistic expression.

Integrated Art may take many forms:
–Interior or exterior architectural station elements
–Works integrated into the design of sites, buildings and landscapes
–Works integrated into infrastructure elements and along rights-of-way
–Video, film, audio or new media works displayed on digital screens or projected on surfaces

Selection process
Stage 1: Request for artist qualifications
Professional artists are invited to submit their credentials to be reviewed by an independent external panel of senior art and design professionals, appointed by Metrolinx. The panel will recommend a shortlist of candidates from the submissions received from this RFQ.

Stage 2: Request for artwork concept proposals
Artists who have been shortlisted will be invited to submit a detailed concept design proposal. Shortlisted artists will be paid an honourarium for preparation of their concept design proposal. Concept designs will be reviewed by an external panel, which will make recommendations for award of the commission(s). Final approval of artists and artworks is by Metrolinx.

Skills and experience requirements
Artists who have a strong professional profile, peer recognition, a history of public exhibitions, and who are experienced in creating large, permanent, urban scale works for exterior and interior locations or who have successfully worked on collaborative projects are encouraged to apply.

Submission requirements
For this RFQ Stage, we are inviting artists to submit a single document in pdf format.
In the subject line, clearly mark: 'Metrolinx Integrated Art RFQ' and the name of the artist/artist team.

Include:
–A current CV (artist or team)
–Images* of five recent projects (up to a maximum of 5 images per project) including written description of the materials, size, title, location, commissioning body and project cost
–Names and contact information for two references
*Media files (audio/video) may be provided via URL with still image included in the package

Do not submit concept proposals at this stage.

No telephone inquiries permitted. If the file size exceeds 25MB, please email via a file transfer service c/o Laura Berazadi at: art@metrolinx.com

Incomplete or late submissions are subject to disqualification. All submission materials will be retained by Metrolinx. Only applicants advancing to the second stage of the selection process will be contacted.

For more information about Metrolinx, please visit www.metrolinx.com