AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

Cityworks Design is seeking up to four artists who have a history working on the Eastside to join their Preliminary Design Team on the Eastside Access Project, a Measure R funded project intended to use urban design to enhance the streetscape and improve linkages for four Metro Gold Line Stations and their surrounding neighborhoods.

The selected artist(s) will use their expertise and knowledge of the local community to identify public art opportunities while adding their artistic influence to the conceptual design of elements in the public right of way. These ideas should be reflective of the local community, buildable and easy to maintain.

Background
The Eastside Access Project is a Measure R funded project intended to design and implement multi-modal linkages and enhancements for City of Los Angeles property that surrounds the following stations, but does not include the physical stations themselves.

• Pico/Aliso Station
• Mariachi Plaza Station
• Soto Station
• Indiana Station

Cityworks Design has been contracted by Metro to develop the conceptual designs with the project goals to enhance the pedestrian and bicycle experience, strengthen neighborhood identity and improve livability around the recently opened Metro Gold Line Eastside stations.

Cityworks Design is seeking up to four artists to join their Preliminary Design Team, which includes members with expertise in planning, landscape design, urban design, lighting, mobility, civil engineering, public outreach, arts administration, and cost estimating. The team is working closely with Metro and the City of Los Angeles during the design process including the Community Redevelopment Agency and their coordination of the previously awarded "call for projects" in the area.

Currently, Cityworks Design is under contract to provide 30% level of design documents. At that point, all documentation will be transferred over to the City of Los Angeles to develop the concepts up to 100% design documents for implementation.

Please note that there is currently no mechanism or funding for the Preliminary Design Team to continue beyond a 30% level of design. The City of Los Angeles may elect to have members of the Preliminary Design Team continue through final design development and implementation under a separate contract, but there is no guarantee this will occur.

The inclusion of artists with a history of experience working on the Eastside, and as part of the Preliminary Design Team, will assist in the development of public art concepts and project design themes, which celebrate the rich culture and creative activities of the Eastside community. All artwork shall be developed and designed with the purpose of supporting the transit system and enhancing the relationship between the light rail stations and the communities surrounding those stations.

SCOPE OF WORK
The selected artists will develop public art concepts and artwork material specifications during the projectʼs preliminary design stage for a 30% design completion. All design work must be completed within a timeframe of 6 to 9 months, with initial concepts due within two months from Notice to Proceed. It is expected that all artworks and identified artwork opportunities will be designed for fabrication in highly durable, low maintenance materials to be fabricated and installed by the City of Los Angeles.

Artists will be expected to craft thematic concepts in place-making that celebrate local culture and history. Artists are to consider way-finding concepts and multi-modal access, resulting in either permanent art installations or urban design elements located in the public right of way. All work shall be consistent with sustainable practices.

Artists will be expected to work in a collaborative manner as members of the Preliminary Design Team and with members of the Eastside community. The teamʼs Public Art Consultant will guide the artists and the creative process through reviews by Metro (Planning and Creative Services departments), the City of Los Angeles (Bureau of Street Services and Department of Cultural Affairs), and the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles.

Artists must be available to attend meetings with the Preliminary Design Team and/or project manager, public agencies and the public. Artists will be expected to make presentations to the Preliminary Design Team, City Agencies, and Council Office.

A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will be formed as part of the overall project effort. It is expected that the CAC will participate in the design process by providing input on overall art and urban design concepts. Artists will be required to make no more than two presentations before the CAC.

The selected artist(s) will be subcontractors to Cityworks Design, and will be required to carry General Liability and Auto Insurance.

BUDGET
The artist fee for design services will be up to $12,000 per artist.

ELIGIBILITY Artists working in any media who live, work, or have a history working in the Eastside within the boundaries of the designated community area are eligible to apply. (See Exhibit A: Eastside Community Area Map).

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA The selection panel will consist of arts professionals and community members and may include members of the Preliminary Design Team and representatives of the participating public agencies. The selection panel will evaluate all submitted artist qualifications and may select finalists for interviews. Up to four (4) artists may be selected as a result of this RFQ.

The panel will use the following selection criteria:
• Artistic Merit
• Professional qualifications & experience
• Live/work/past history of working in the area
• Artistic approach/philosophy

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS All Statements of Qualifications shall be submitted unbound, marked as "Original", with four (4) copies, plus one (1) complete copy on a CD, which is CD-ROM compatible, labeled with the artistʼs name and include the following:

a. Letter of interest summarizing the following:
• Your interest in this project
• Your relevant experience
• Your affiliation to the Eastside Community
• Your artistic approach/philosophy

b. Professional artistʼs resume
• Please limit to four (4) pages

c. 10 electronic images of your most relevant work
• All images should be 72 dpi, no larger than 1MB each.
• Name each image with artistʼs name and number corresponding to the image list.

d. Annotated image list, detailing the following:
• Thumbnail image along with title and date of artwork
• Very brief description
• Materials and dimensions
• If applicable: location, budget and commissioning agency

DEADLINE
All Statements of Qualifications must be received no later than December 14, 2010, by 5pm and addressed to:
Metro Eastside Access Project
Attn: Erik Qvale
C/O Cityworks Design
16 N. Marengo Ave., Suite 412
Pasadena, CA 91101

QUESTIONS
Please direct any questions or requests for further information to:
Erik Qvale, Art Consultant
Email: erik@eqvale.net

from LA Culture Net