California State University, Chico Chico, California 95929-0244 Procurement and Contract Services 530-898-5134 Fax: 530-898-6190 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS California State University, Chico, RFQ2014-04SR DUE: MONDAY, February 9, 2015 5:00 p.m. PST Wildcat Sculpture Commission Budget: $110,000 Dear Artist: California State University, Chico is interested in contracting an artist or artist team to create a Wildcat sculpture for the Chico State campus. The Scope of Work and qualification package requirements are attached for reference and use. The University will consider all applications that meet the specified requirements received by the deadline noted. One artist or artist team will be selected from the qualified applicant pool to develop a detailed sculpture proposal. The artist or team will be required to comply with University contractual and insurance requirements. A sample contract (including insurance requirements) can be viewed at: http://www.csuchico.edu/purc/vendor/agreements.shtml Application packages must be received by Monday, February 9, 2015 5:00 p.m. PST * to be considered. Please submit application materials to one of the following: Email: Mail/parcel delivery to: In Person: publicart@csuchico.edu Procurement & Contract Services Attn: RFQ2014-04SR 400 West 1 st Street, Chico, CA 95929-0244 Procurement & Contract Services California State University, Chico Kendall Hall, Room 206 Note: * California State University, Chico assumes no responsibility for delay in delivery of the application. 1
California State University, Chico Chico, California 95929-0244 Procurement and Contract Services 530-898-5134 Fax: 530-898-6190 GENERAL INFORMATION The Campus Public Arts Committee, a subcommittee of the CSU, Chico Campus Planning Committee, is seeking an artist or artist team to create a permanent, realistic, large-scale sculpture of a wildcat commemorating the Chico State mascot. Artists are asked to submit qualifications for consideration by the Campus Public Arts Committee. Campus Public Arts Committee Goals: To acquire the highest quality artwork and establish a significant public art collection for CSU Chico. To enrich the CSU Chico experience for students, faculty, visitors and community members through the commission and placement of public art on campus. To create dynamic and engaging campus environments through the integration of public art that accentuates construction efforts and is sensitive to the community where the artwork is located. To commission public artwork that is durable and able to withstand high-traffic, unmonitored outdoor environments with very little maintenance. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Wildcat became Chico's mascot in 1924. Selected by the student body, the mascot represents the spitfire vigor and vitality of the University. The mascot first appeared in the pages of the Chico State yearbook, The Record, in 1925. Its first portrayal was that of a formalized, lean and crouching feline with a defiant curl to its lips. In later years, the wildcat took on a sly, mischievous grin and metamorphosed into the prankplaying gremlin in the 1950s. The cartoon mascot came to be known as Willie. In the 1970's, the Chico State Alumni Association spearheaded a revival of the original Lynx rufus the wildcat of nature. The spirit of the Chico Wildcat was captured in a painting by nationally acclaimed wildlife artist Gene Gray, commissioned by and created solely for California State University, Chico. In 1989, graphic design student Anna Giacometti designed a version of the Wildcat symbol that was adopted by Athletics and is still used today by student groups. The current Athletics graphic (Wildcat head and recently full body Wildcat) was designed by Jim Ward in 2012 and 2014. (See Attachment A for a visual history of Chico State Wildcat representations over the years). The Wildcat has endured as a symbol and mascot for the institution, whose students and alums proudly refer to themselves as Wildcats. The Wildcat has come to represent an ideal of achievement, character, responsibility and community and symbolizes the pride students, alumni, and campus and community members have for the University. The Wildcat leads the way and teaches others how to lead. 3
California State University, Chico Chico, California 95929-0244 Procurement and Contract Services 530-898-5134 Fax: 530-898-6190 To commemorate the Wildcat spirit, Associated Students, Intercollegiate Athletics, the Alumni Association, and the University administration have partnered to commission a larger than lifesize Wildcat sculpture with base to be placed in the central campus corridor. Parameters for the sculpture include: Realistic representation of a Wildcat, ie bobcat (Lynx rufus or Lynx rufus californicus) Wildcat to appear alert, confident, protective Wildcat to be larger than life-size; sculpture and base not to exceed 6 H x 5 W, site dependent Durable material, preferably bronze Base to be representative of regional landscape The sculpture will serve as a landmark for the University: meeting location, photography opportunity, and representation of campus spirit. The Art Department at California State University, Chico includes foundry facilities and a metal workshop. The selected artist is encouraged to consider working with students, faculty, and staff on the project and use campus facilities where appropriate for design and fabrication of the sculpture. ARTIST ELIGIBILITY This opportunity is open to professional artists and artist teams with public art experience working in the United States. Artists living in the CSU, Chico service area (Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, and Yuba counties) or with ties to Chico State are encouraged to apply. SELECTION PROCESS All submissions will first be reviewed by the Office of Procurement to ensure they are submitted timely and include all items requested. Submissions meeting all requirements will be forwarded to the Campus Public Arts Committee. Incomplete or late submissions will not be reviewed. The Campus Public Arts Committee, comprised of appointed faculty and staff, will review each complete submission and select ONE finalist based on materials submitted. The finalist will be asked to work with various stakeholders and submit a detailed design proposal for the project. FINALIST SELECTION CRITERIA The following criteria will be used to evaluate submissions: Quality of presentation and completeness of application. Aesthetic appeal and quality of past work. 4
California State University, Chico Chico, California 95929-0244 Procurement and Contract Services 530-898-5134 Fax: 530-898-6190 Innovation and concept exemplified by past works including diversity of subject matter, content, media, and appropriateness of prior concepts for public art projects of similar-sized scope and budget. Experience and success in creating public artworks for outdoor environments. PROJECT BUDGET The total project budget is $110,000. This includes all artist fees and costs for design, engineering, fabrication of the sculpture and base, and delivery. Artist will perform as advisor during the installation. Project budget must also include reimbursable expenses, travel costs, accommodations for the artist, and insurance fees. The artist will be required to make a minimum of 3 site visits for consultation with the Public Arts Committee and stakeholders; selection of materials for the base; and installation. The design proposal must include renderings and a scale model. REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS The application submission must include the information and materials described below, all of which are required to constitute a complete application. Applications are to be submitted electronically via email or on CD/DVD or USB Flash drive. Applications will not be returned. 1. Artist Statement Of Interest (500 word maximum) Submission shall include an Artist Statement of Interest that outlines a general interest in this opportunity. Explain your interest and your general approach to its design and production. NOTE: This should not take the form of a formal design proposal, but rather a description of your methods for producing a design and finished project if selected. Please include a brief description of your experience creating artwork for public spaces and collaborating with stakeholders. 2. Resume + References (4 page maximum) Submission shall include a current resume that outlines your professional accomplishments as an artist. Please include two references for your professional work. 3. Artwork samples Qualification submission must include visual representations of artwork that demonstrate your qualifications for this project. The applicant shall submit up to 10 images of past work. PROPOSALS FOR THIS PROJECT WILL NOT BE REVIEWED AT THIS TIME. Image specifications: All images must be formatted to the following specifications for consideration: Label: Last Name_First name_imagenumber.jpg (i.e. Jones_Amanda_image1.jpg). 5
California State University, Chico Chico, California 95929-0244 Procurement and Contract Services 530-898-5134 Fax: 530-898-6190 Dimensions: 1200 pixels on the longest side File Format: BASELINE Standard JPEG. File Size: each JPEG must be under 1 MB. Color space: RGB 4. Descriptions Of Sample Artwork Submission shall include an annotated list of the submitted images with descriptions that clearly explain the projects (if applicable) and images. Please indicate title, date, location, dimensions, significant materials, and budget. If you were a member of a team, please indicate your role in the project. Please confirm that your application includes all of the items requested. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED DIGITALLY. Printed or physical samples will not be accepted for review. Application packages must be received by Friday, February 9, 2015, 5:00 p.m. PST * to be considered. Please submit application materials to one of the following: Email: publicart@csuchico.edu (Please note that email attachments should not exceed 8MB) Mail/parcel delivery to: In Person: Procurement & Contract Services Attn: RFQ2014-04SR 400 West 1 st Street, Chico, CA 95973-0244 Procurement & Contract Services California State University, Chico Kendall Hall, Room 206 Note: * California State University, Chico assumes no responsibility for delay in delivery of the application. 6
[Intentionally Left Blank] 7
Attachment A Visual History of the Chico State Wildcat Mascot The Chico Wildcat by Gene Gray, 1977, limited edition print 8
Willie the Wildcat used in 1950s - 1960s. Bears a striking resemblance to the Kansas State Wildcat. Wildcat mark for Athletics, designed in 1988. Replaced by new wildcat mark commissioned by Athletics Department in 2012. Mark is still used - primarily by student club sports teams and other student groups. Three Drinking Wildcats - circa 1980. Not approved Three Wildcats - updated in 2012 to remove beer mugs. for use - very popular with alumni. Willie the Wildcat Caricature, designed by Willie the Wildcat Caricature, unknown creator Chris Ficken in 2000. or date.
Photograph shows President Glenn Kendall at the microphone at an unidentified event in 1960/61. Several students are standing next to left of him. There is one that is wearing a giant Wildcat mascot head-mask. Name of the mascot may have been SOCS - Spirit of Chico State. Willie the Wildcat mascot, date unknown Slash the Wildcat mascot, circa 2002 Willie the Wildcat mascot, 2012
Athletics Mark, developed in 2012 by Jim Ward Full body Wildcat, developed in 2014 by Jim Ward Cartoon Willie, developed in 2014 by Jim Ward