Civic Arts Program Office of Economic Development PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITY CALL FOR ARTISTS 2006 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ARTWORK FOR THE CORPORATION YARD GATES ELIGIBILITY Application Deadline This project is open to all artists in Northern California. LOCATION The Corporation Yard Gates Project is located at the City owned Corporation Yard in central west Berkeley, between Bancroft Way, Acton Street, Allston Way and Bonar Street. The specific site of this project is on the southern side of the Corporation Yard along the Bancroft Way frontage between West and Acton Streets. Community Profile This project is situated within the primarily residential neighborhood that surrounds the Berkeley Corporation Yard and will be the first work of public community art installed in this area. The neighborhood has a great deal of pedestrian traffic with neighbors walking to and from BART, schools, religious sites, stores and parks. The Strawberry Park neighborhood is approximately at the geographic center of the city and is home to a diverse mix of ethnic, social and professional families. Newcomers continue to join the neighborhood of multi-generational families who have made this area their home since the early 1900 s. In the late 1800 s settlers here developed small farms, and by 1904 the Santa Fe Railroad tracks ran through what is now Strawberry Creek Park adjacent to the Corporation Yard. Beginning in the late 1920 s the community quickly grew from open land farms to tracts of single family homes supported by cottage industries, craftsmen and local businesses. The Corporation Yard was established on this site in 1906 and in 1916 Architect Walter H. Ratcliff, Jr. designed the main building and adjacent horse barns, which are now among Berkeley s historically significant structures The neighborhood has worked together on many shared concerns regarding the impact of the Corporation Yard on the area residents and looks forward to creating an art project that will help to inspire neighborhood identity and pride. Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 3, 2006 by the: Civic Arts Program Office Attention: Mary Ann Merker Civic Arts Coordinator 2180 Milvia Street, 3 rd Floor Berkeley, CA 94704 Late postmarks are not acceptable. Late applications and faxed applications will not be accepted. Estimated project time line Applications Due: April 3, 2006 Selection Process: May 15, 2006 City Review and Approval: June 15, 2006 Fabrication Begins: July 15, 2006 Installation Completed: November 15, 2006 Project Description This public art project is intended to provide an attractive and contextually appropriate screen effect over the large access gates at Bancroft Way to the Corporation Yard. The art screen is intended to enhance the current industrial chain link gates and to lessen the visual impact of activities of the Corporation Yard for the neighbor-hood and passersby. The project also aspires to create a positive visual element for those who work within the Corporation Yard. Artwork is encouraged that reflects and involves the Strawberry Creek Park community and its history. This project is a model for future projects at this site and will be part of the Centennial Celebration for the Corporation Yard in 2006. Budget Up to $64,000 total for art with final budget approval by the Civic Arts Commission. 2180 Milvia Street, 3 rd Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704. Tel: 510-981-7533 Fax: 510-981-7099 TDD: 510-981-6903
Artwork budget The budget allowed for the artwork for this project is separated into two parts: Part A includes the pair of gates for the eastern opening from Bancroft Way, for an amount of $36,000. Part B includes the pair of gates in Part A, plus the pair of gates at the western opening from Bancroft for $28,000, for a total amount of up to $64,000. The Civic Arts Commission may award a commission to the artist for the gates described in Part A, for Part B, or for neither, depending upon submissions received in response to this Call for Artists. Artwork Specifications General Terms The existing steel pipe frame and horizontal guide rails for the sliding gates, and steel channel wheel guide for each of the gate leaves shall be part of the finished work. The existing gates are manually operated, and are proposed to remain as manually opened and closed on a daily basis. The metal chain link fabric and plastic slats are to be removed, recycled, and not reinstalled. The new artwork screen for each leaf should be designed to mostly obscure the view of the interior of the Yard, and shall provide security against unauthorized entry. At the same time, the artwork must still allow for the operation of the gates without use of motors or powered equipment. The horizontal sliding panels shall not be changed to swinging type, nor shall the single swinging gate, if included in this artwork commission, be made otherwise. Preference will be given to the incorporation of recycled and reusable materials; however, any medium appropriate for use on the project site will be considered. The artwork must be designed to meet the City s standards for public safety, and must comply with the current Accessibility Guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and shall meet standards for structural safety, security, and shall be durable, graffiti and stain resistant, easily maintained and not a public or traffic safety hazard. The City of Berkeley reserves the right to award, or not to award any contracts for this project. This Call for Artists does not constitute an agreement to fund artworks for the site described above. For more information visit out Public Art website at www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/oed/civarts/pubart/welcome.htm Suggested Theme of the Artwork The Corporation Yard site is located within a vibrant residential neighborhood that celebrates its ethnic, cultural and social diversity. Historic Strawberry Creek runs nearby along its original course trough the park adjacent to the Corporation Yard site and is a significant and popular restored natural feature of this neighborhood. The artwork proposed for the gates shall incorporate a theme based upon the celebration of cultural diversity and settlement history of the area including the local natural history of plants and animals of the East Bay. 2
Suggested Construction Specifications Please review the photographs and architectural sketches that are part of this Call for Artists, and posted on the above website for guidance. The existing galvanized steel pipe frame is to be reused, and new materials designed and used for the artwork screen shall be attached to the pipe frame. Please note that the existing frame is typical for chain link fence. The artists will have to account for the additional weight, and possible effect on the wheels and steel angle track. Additional strengthening of the existing framework and guide rails may be required to operate the gates safely and easily. Such additional strengthening shall be part of the artwork commission. If possible, artists should visit the site to examine the existing conditions, and refer to the photos on the web site specifically showing the wheels and tracks along with photos of the horizontal bracing. Model Policy In the event that an artist is provided an honorarium to develop a model of a proposal, the following policy shall apply: a. Each selected finalist will receive an honorarium of up to $500.00 to prepare a presentation model for the final round of review and decision. b. The Civic Arts Commission shall, at its sole discretion, have the unconditional right to maintain ownership of any model selected for its evaluation, as part of commission awards. c. The Civic Arts Commission may at its option choose to retain all such requested models until completion and final approval of the project installation, at which time the models may be returned to the artist. d. Models and proposals submitted to the Civic Arts Commission shall be original, and unique in design and fabrication. Budget Specifications The specified budget amount for each project must cover all costs associated with design, fabrication, transportation, engineering approval, including licensed engineering drawings and details if required for potential City of Berkeley permits, public liability insurance coverage, and installation of the artwork. Selection Process All applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed for completeness, and screened by an open-peer Selection Panel before presentation to the Civic Arts Commission. The Selection Panel will include up to three arts professionals appointed by staff and the Civic Arts Commission, a project architect, a Civic Arts Commissioner, and two community members. All Selection Panel, Committee, and Commission meetings will be open to the public. The Selection Panel may make a recommendation to the Civic Arts Commission for selection of up to three finalists to develop their design proposals. Finalists will receive an honorarium of $500 as described above to prepare a model or graphic representation for further review by the Panel and Commission. The Civic Arts Commission shall have final approval of the Panel s recommendation for award of the commission for the Corporation Yard Gates. Selection Criteria Artists will be selected to develop proposals bases upon: Artistic merit as evidenced by representation of relevant past work in slides and other supporting material. 3
Appropriateness of the artist s medium, style, and experience in relation to the project goals and settings. Experience with projects of a similar scale and scope including familiarity with public agencies, the public review process, and/or collaboration with City agencies and community groups. Artists must have good communication skills and be able to work with diverse City representatives. Ability to assist Berkeley residents in shaping the course of public art at the Corporation Yard. Capacity to improve the overall appearance of the vicinity and to create a community asset and sense of place. Demonstrated ability to recognize, honor, and link together significant historic, cultural, and natural resources representative of the site and surrounding community. Experience with developing educational themes that demonstrate an area s historic significance. Public art program commissions Artists interested in reading this document electronically, or learning about other public art opportunities, are encouraged to visit the Public Art Program website at: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/oed/civarts/pubart/welcome.htm In accordance with City of Berkeley Resolution No. 60,048-N.S. a contribution equal to 1.5% of eligible public capital projects is made to the Civic Arts Commission for the commission of Public Art. For this project 1% (up to $64,000) is for the Gates and.5% (up to $32,000) is for administrative costs including printing, postage, workshops, honoraria to selected artists and for an educational program in the Berkeley Public Schools. The chosen team will be required to participate in one lecture class in the Berkeley Public Schools as part of the artist s contract. Artists of all ethnicities and genders are encouraged to apply. All information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The provisions of this Call for Artists are subject to change. The Commission reserves the right to reject all design proposals submitted to this Call for Artists. For further information about these public art projects, please contact: Mary Ann Merker, Civic Arts Program Coordinator City of Berkeley Office of Economic Development 2180 Milvia Street, 3 rd Floor Berkeley, CA 94704 510-981-7533 mmerker@ci.berkeley.ca.us 4
Application Log# For office use only A. Name(s) Address City & State Phone Fax Email Website address B. Title of the project: Corporation Yard Gate Deadline: April 3, 2006 C. Application checklist: Please check to make certain that you have enclosed the following item. A plastic slide sheet containing six (6) slides (individual applicants) or twelve (12) slides (team applicants, total from all members) of relevant previous work, numbered, fully labeled including artist s name, title of work, date completed, media, dimensions and with a red dot in the lower left corner of each slide. Two (2) copies of a one-page corresponding slide list including title, date, media, dimensions, location, and other pertinent information deemed useful in orienting the Commission and Panelists to your previous work. A self-addressed, correctly sized and stamped envelope for the return of slides and other materials. Please submit ten (10) complete, one-sided, collated sets of the following written materials: Each set should contain one of each of the following, in the order given. Please do not bind materials and do not submit in plastic sleeves, folders or binders. A thumbnail sketch (optional) and up to a one page narrative of your proposed idea. Resume (two pages maximum). Names, addresses and phone numbers of three (3) professional references. OPTIONAL: One or two relevant printed materials such as catalogs, articles, etc. that might assist the selection panel in understanding applicant s work. All materials should clearly indicate the portion(s) for consideration. Incomplete or incorrectly assembled applications may not be accepted. Neither the Civic Arts Commission nor City of Berkeley Staff can be responsible for lost, missing, or damaged materials. The Civic Arts Commission will endeavor to return the originals of applicants. 5