Open Call Engineering Artist-In-Residence INVITATION TO ARTISTS TO APPLY FOR AN ENGINEER ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

Transcription

1 Open Call Engineering Artist-In-Residence INVITATION TO ARTISTS TO APPLY FOR AN ENGINEER ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Submission deadline: Friday, November 24th 2017 Introduction Under the theme Shifting Paradigm City In Transformation, the City s Engineering Department is launching an Artist-in-Residence program to host three artists consecutively, each for an 18-month residency term. We are seeking mid-career or experienced artist to be in residence with the City s Engineering Department, under the Green Operations Division. An artist team with a history of public art work will also be considered. Artist teams should identify a lead artist for the purpose of this residency. Background Whereas infrastructure is physical evidence and testimony to the transformation of a city, public art can be a catalyst to promote and reveal the latent assumptions, social relations and potential of a site and the build environment. The intent of the residency is to open the dialogue and encourage new perspectives in engineering projects and/or services. It is anticipated that artists will work collaboratively with the City Engineering team to explore the work Engineering completes within the City with a specific focus on opportunities for public art within the City s operations, facilities and capital construction projects. The artist will also identify opportunities for temporary and future artworks that interact with ideas and practices of city planning, infrastructural development, engineering operations and sustainability. Other important contexts are the city goals of reconciliation and the Greenest City Action Plan. A successful outcome would be to upend the public s perspectives on the relationship between art and engineering. Program Partners The Engineering Artist-in-Residence will work with a dedicated Project Manager in the Green Operations division of the Engineering Department of the City of Vancouver. The dedicated Project Manager will work with the artist to identify expectations and milestones and develop timelines and a flexible framework for the work. The Engineering, Green Operations Division is the host and is responsible for the orientation of the artist, establishing project teams and partners, work plans and scheduling. The team will coordinate activities, develop media strategies and plan and assist with documentation. Other City departments such as Sustainability, Public Art, Community Services and Corporate Communications may also be involved in the course of the work. 1

2 Eligibility Artists should have an established practice recognized by peers in the field, an interest in public works, and demonstrated experience working in the public realm. Experience working with diverse communities and ages is an asset. Artists may work in various media including but not limited to sculpture, installation, painting and drawing, performance, audio and video. Questions from Artists Artists are encouraged to questions about the artist call to Staff will review the questions and publish answers in a document released on November 3 rd. Anticipated Schedule (subject to change) Release Call for Artists: Wednesday, October 18 th. Questions and answers document released: Friday, November 3 rd. Submission deadline: Friday, November 24th. Shortlist selected: TBD Shortlist Artist interviews: TBD Finalists selected: TBD Further Artist interviews (if required): TBD Artist-In-Residence selected: TBD Scope of Work Artists will work with the residency project manager and Engineering project teams to explore new ways of thinking and to identify key issues of mutual interest that will be the focus of activities. The artists will identify opportunities for temporary and permanent artworks, and work closely with Engineering to plan and execute initiatives that contribute in unique ways to city planning, infrastructural development, engineering operations and sustainability. Current priorities for the Engineering include: City of Reconciliation: First Nations and urban aboriginal history, contributions and culture; Contributions of the City s public works workforce, Sustainability, Or any combination of the above. The artist(s) will work both with the team and independently to carry out plans. Efforts may be focused on multiple initiatives or may evolve to be a complex engagement with one situation over time. Artists are expected to work materially, and propose relevant art projects that may be produced within budget limits; however, social engagement and event based (temporary) projects may also be part of this residency, depending on the artist s skills and interests. Artists may also propose opportunities for other artists and make recommendations for future engineering related art initiatives or opportunities beyond the scope of this residency. Artist Tasks To pursue background research to understand the environmental, economic, social 2

3 impacts and current conditions, as needed To engage creatively to evoke discussion and participation around issues and opportunities for strategies pertinent to specific engineering initiatives of the city To produce temporary and permanent public art projects that will engage with city planning, infrastructural development, engineering operations and sustainability. To work with the Engineering and Public Art team(s) to identify opportunities for permanent or temporary artworks To review and evaluate residency activities and make recommendations for future opportunities To engage with the Engineering team to lend a new perspective on projects, generate new ideas and to help instigate innovation. To work with the Engineering team to ensure documentation and reporting throughout the project including a final report Program Compensation A stipend of $60,000 per residency term is guaranteed. This stipend includes all expenses for: Artist fees for research and collaboration, Development and design of strategies and artworks, Renderings and/or other presentation media, Additional expenses such as transportation, documentation, insurance, and all other program related expenses not specifically related to a specific public art project. Identified public art projects will have budgets for project expenses that are exclusive of the residency fee. The City will provide office space and use of a phone and computer. Artists may be hired by the City as an Auxiliary employee for the term, or may enter into an agreement with the City as an independent contractor for agreed upon services. This is a non-exclusive engagement. Selection Process and Criteria City staff will conduct an open call for artists with the necessary skills who are living or working in Vancouver to be invited to submit credentials. City staff and individuals with specialized knowledge in visual arts, social practice, capital planning and engineering will evaluate artist submissions and short list artists. Short listed artists will be interviewed and asked to provide the names of three references. Interviews will focus on the artist's practice, their interest in issues of city planning, infrastructural development, engineering operations and sustainability and their approach to developing strategies in an expanded public field. The City reserves the right to negotiate a reduced scope or reject all applicants. 3

4 Selection criteria will include, but is not limited to, the following: Demonstrated experience and initiative Ability to work independently and to engage creatively and collaboratively with a group Past work that achieves artistic innovation and excellence Interest in and informed about issues in city planning, infrastructural development, engineering operations and sustainability Experience with public engagement strategies and working with different stakeholders Clear communications Evidence of responsibly completing projects on time and on budget How to Apply All proposals must be submitted via to EngineerAIR@vancouver.ca. It is wise to apply well in advance of the deadline. Only one submission will be accepted per artist, or artist team. The following will be required: Submission Requirements: Artists are asked to submit qualifications, work samples and letters of interest for consideration. Specific proposals are not requested and will not be reviewed at this time. For artist teams, all team members must be represented within the specified limits for materials below: 1. Artist Statement of Interest, one page maximum: Please describe the nature of your practice and how this opportunity would expand on your practice. What is your interest and experience with public infrastructure? Please relay your experience collaborating with organizations, communities, and design professionals. 2. CV of up to three pages. 3. Images of Past Work: Please submit up to 10 still images, audio or video files of past artwork that demonstrate your qualifications for this project. Optimum image resolution is 72 DPI, maximum 768 PX high. Images should be maximum 2MB. Video segments of no more than 20s each should be in QuickTime or Windows Media Player, compressed to a maximum of 2MB. 4. Artwork List: A list of the submitted images with brief (20 word) descriptions if necessary. Please include title, date, location, and budget for public artwork. If you were a member of a team, indicate your role. Deadline for submissions: 3:00 p.m., Friday, 24 November 2017 For a list of current artist opportunities in Vancouver and elsewhere, go to Please join the list serve to be notified of future artist calls. 4

5 Fine Print: Interested artists are advised that neither the City nor the selection panel is obliged to select any artist or accept any of the artists' proposals and may reject all proposals. Each artist is advised, and by the submission of a proposal, agrees that the City will not be responsible for any costs, expenses, losses, damages (including damages for loss of anticipated profit) or liabilities incurred by the artist as a result of or arising out of submitting a proposal, or due to the City's acceptance or non-acceptance of their proposal, or arising out of any contract award not made in accordance with the expressed or implied terms of the artist call. Until a written contract in a form satisfactory to the City is executed by both the City and artist, no legal rights or responsibility shall be created between the artist and the City. Confidentiality: All documents submitted by Applicants to the City of Vancouver become the property of the City. The City will make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of each application and the information contained therein except to the extent necessary to communicate information to staff and selection panel members for the purposes of evaluation and analysis. The City will not release any of this information to the public except as required under the Province of British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or other legal disclosure process. Questions may be directed to Director, Access to Information, via in Vancouver or Note: A 15% non-resident withholding tax applies to artists from outside the country who provide services in Canada. City has the responsibility to withhold tax and remit to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The tax is refundable on application to CRA. 5