The Pittsburgh Galleries blog is a volunteer effort from Rick Byerly to promote Pittsburgh art events which feature artists from the area. The PghGalleries.com website effort is an up-to-date directory with Pittsburgh area art venues. Thanks go to Sirani Gallery of 5875 Forbes Ave in Squirrel Hill for being a sponsor and David L. Edwards Art and Anonymous for their donations to this effort. Donation and sponsor info can be found here. Rick Byerly, Uniquetake Photography
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Dear Artist,
The Pittsburgh Project announces a Request for Proposals for a Peace Garden Art Installation. Please see the complete Call for Artists listed in this email. If you have any questions regarding this RFP, please contact Kara Shives at 412.321.1678 or KaraShives@pittsburghproject.org.
Best regards,
Lea Donatelli
Request for Proposals
Peace Garden Art Installation
Fowler Park, North Side, Pittsburgh
Submission Deadline: December 22, 2008
The Pittsburgh Project is a 23 year old community development organization located in the Perry South neighborhood on the North Side. We are seeking to commission artists to design and construct installation art projects to be permanently displayed in our community Peace Garden. Art should be sculptures or installation pieces that are suited for permanent outdoor placement and that invoke themes associated with peace, community and hopefulness. The organization is providing a budget of $6,000 for this project. Awards may be given in one of the following ways: $6,000 to one artist for multiple pieces, $3,000 to two artists or $2,000 to three artists. This will be determined at the sole discretion of The Pittsburgh Project. The awarded amount is to include the artist’s design fees, as well as all expenses associated with the construction of each piece of art. The art must be constructed and ready to install in the Peace Garden by May 15, 2009.
A. Project Overview
Although The Pittsburgh Project is located within a community that is economically disadvantaged and known as a center of violent crime, this community is also a center of family life for working class families who desire a safe neighborhood in which their children can learn and grow. The work of The Pittsburgh Project grows out of a broad vision for the City of Pittsburgh that informs our purpose and defines our target populations. Our vision is “That Pittsburgh will be called a City of Truth, where once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets each with cane in hand because of age, and where the city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there” (from Zechariah 8:4-5). Our purpose is to “Develop servant leaders and uphold the dignity of vulnerable homeowners.” Our target populations are: children and youth who live in Pittsburgh’s urban North Side; youth, adults, and families who participate in service learning programs and vulnerable homeowners who live in Pittsburgh and neighboring urban boroughs.
Proposed artist rendition of Peace Garden. On North Charles Street and across the street from The Pittsburgh Project is Fowler Park and Pool, a seven-acre city park. In 2003, the city, due to its financial crisis, closed the pool and reduced maintenance at the park. The park grew tired and increasingly dangerous. In 2006, The Pittsburgh Project signed a long-term lease on the park and assumed full responsibility for upgrading, managing, and maintaining it as a public amenity, reopening the pool, and engaging the community in a planning process to revitalize the park. There are 1,500 children who live within a few blocks of the park.
The proposed Peace Garden will be located in a corner of the park that remains undeveloped and is somewhat hidden from eyesight, and therefore, is a preferred place for illicit activity. Our intention is to replace illicit activity enjoyed by a few with positive, creative, and inspiring activities enjoyed by most. In addition to personal and private reflection, the Peace Garden will provide space for concerts, celebrations, weddings, and community gatherings.
The Peace Garden will be a place that encourages personal, relational, and societal peace, non-violent conflict resolution, and community conversations. Located in a corner of a public park, the Peace Garden will be accessible to anyone who desires to find a quiet space, reflect on the nature of inner and outer peace, and be inspired by some of the world’s peacemakers. The Pittsburgh Project is particularly interested in artists who incorporate youth in the design and construction of their art. There will be a community meeting at The Pittsburgh Project on Tuesday December 9, 2008 at 6PM. Artists are invited to attend this meeting to learn about our community members’ ideas for a Peace Garden. (Note: Attendance at this meeting is NOT mandatory. It is only for your understanding of what our community members envision their garden to look like.) To obtain more information about The Pittsburgh Project and its’ programs please visit our website at www.PittsburghProject.org .
B. Selection Process
All proposals received through this RFP process will be reviewed and narrowed down to 10 designs. Those 10 designs will then be presented to the selection committee for review. The selection committee will decide on a selected number of artists who will be contacted to submit a final proposal. After interviews with the finalists, the selection committee will decide on the artist/s who will be commissioned by The Pittsburgh Project to have their art installed into the Peace Garden.
C. Project Timeline
November 2008: Circulation of artist RFP
December 22, 2008: Applications due
Week of January 12, 2009: Review of applications by selection committee
On or before January 16, 2009: Finalists contacted and asked to submit full proposals
2nd Week of February 2009: Finalists submit final proposal
February 15, 2009: Artist contracts completed
Mid-February-May 15, 2009: Design and construction of art installations
May 15, 2009: Date by which art should be installed in Peace Garden
May 29, 2009: Peace Garden Dedication
D. Selection Criteria
This RFP is open to all artists living in Southwestern Pennsylvania who have the vision and skills necessary to complete this project. Artists are encouraged to complete a profile on the Pittsburgh Artist Registry ( www.PittsburghArtistRegistry.org ). Artist teams, and teams that include individuals working in multiple fields, are eligible to apply. The artist’s past work and experience will be taken into consideration by the selection committee when reviewing applications.
E. Submission Process
Artists are required to submit examples of their work in digital format to Kara Shives’ e-mail address listed below. In addition to the digital application, a detailed image script and a letter of interest must be received by e-mail on or before Monday, December 22, 2008 at 5PM.
The following materials must be submitted:
1. A bio, artist statement, and up to 10 images of your past work. (Completing a bio on the Pittsburgh Artist Registry is a preferred way to submit these items.)
2. An image script that includes a short description of your past work. Each description should include the title of the artwork, materials, location, and a brief summary. The image script must be submitted in Word or PDF format by e-mail. Make the name of the file your last name and first name and the word “script”. For example, if your name is Tom Smith, label your file Smith_Tom_Script.doc
3. A letter describing why you are interested in working on this project submitted via e-mail. The letter must be submitted in Word or PDF format by e-mail. Make the name of the file your last name and first name and the word “letter”. For example, if your name is Tom Smith, label your file Smith_Tom_Letter.doc
F. Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding this RFP, please contact Kara Shives at 412.321.1678 or KaraShives@pittsburghproject.org.
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