RFQ: Bayview Campus Sculpture Series

** DEADLINE EXTENDED to APRIL 30 11:59 pm

ABOUT THE SCULPTURE SERIES

Bayview Foundation and the Bayview Public Art Selection Committee invite artists and artist teams to submit public art qualifications for the design and installation of a series of sculptures (8-10). The series of sculptures will be designed as a seek-and-find experience, starting with a larger sculpture to be located within Bayview’s new playground structure (see above rendering). This initial sculpture – that doubles as a play/climbing piece – will lead participants throughout Bayview’s campus where they will find 8-10 smaller sculptures at various locations. Bayview’s new playground structure is an abstraction of a fallen Bur Oak tree, which is the dominant species of the Oak Savanna, Southwest Wisconsin’s native landscape. The sculptures created as a result of this commission are intended to be of animal species that live in and around the Bur Oak tree. The series aims to foster interaction and create a sense of wonder while providing education about the native landscape.

BOUT BAYVIEW FOUNDATION AND REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

Bayview Foundation’s mission is to support its culturally diverse, low-income families in realizing their aspirations by providing affordable housing, fostering cultural pride, and building community through the arts, education, and recreation. Bayview provides safe, affordable housing and vital services to a diverse community of individuals, families and seniors in one corner of the “Triangle” created by West Washington Avenue, Regent, and South Park Streets in the heart of Madison’s downtown.

After years of planning with residents and community leaders, Bayview is in the process of redeveloping the 6.4-acre property. In addition, other housing properties on the Triangle owned and operated by the Community Development Authority (CDA), will be redeveloped over the next ten years. It’s estimated that the resident population on the Triangle will grow from 750 today to over 3000 in the near future.

Although CDA and Bayview residents both call the “Triangle” home, Bayview’s redevelopment is a separate initiative from CDA’s effort.

DESIGN JUSTICE

Bayview’s redevelopment initiative is an intentional and uniquely responsive model to the cultural and individual needs of residents. This project is the result of a design justice process that included years of meetings, individual resident interviews, and design charrettes that engaged over 70 percent of Bayview’s households. In overall scope and in all levels of detail, the plans reflect the input — hopes, dreams, fears — of the people who live here.

ARTS, CREATIVITY, AND PLACEMAKING

Guided by this process, Bayview is now in the second year of a phased, three-year plan to rebuild the property. The new Bayview will feature more residential units, and a stunning community center that is twice the size of the previous center with the capacity to serve Bayview and CDA residents, as well as residents from the broader community.

Community art, placemaking, and cultural programming elevate the voices of the people who live at Bayview, increase their connection to each other and the neighborhood, and demonstrate the importance of co-creating social change.

Central to the plans for the Bayview community redevelopment is the integration of art – participatory art, community-based art, and commissioned public art – into the overall redevelopment including on the exterior of the residential buildings, in and outside the community center, and in the gardens and other greenspaces.

Bayview anticipates the creation and installation of up to 20 works of art on its campus, including ten works that will be designed and created in collaboration with residents and neighbors, and ten that will be commissioned. This project is a commission to be conceived and fabricated independently by the artist/artist team.

Examples of past projects can be reviewed here: Past Projects — Bayview Foundation

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Bayview’s fourth art project in this collection will be a series of 8-10 sculptures that are placed throughout the entire campus. The series will be designed as a seek-and-find experience, beginning with a larger-than-life sculpture located within the campus’ new Playground Structure. The other pieces will be to scale and scattered throughout the exterior spaces of the Bayview property. The intention for this collection of artworks is to be a means of leading visitors through Bayview’s campus and teaching them about the native landscape of the land they are standing on.

Bayview’s Art Committee has chosen for the sculptures to be representations of animal species that you might find living in or around a Bur Oak tree, or in the Oak Savanna (which is depicted by the playground structure). The larger sculpture at the playground will introduce the seek and find experience to the viewer and encourage them to look for the other pieces on the campus. The other sculptures will be life-size, and therefore smaller than the playground sculpture. The committee hopes for the artist to find creative ways to represent different species, especially large mammals that may not be possible to depict literally with the provided budget. The sculptures may be included within existing garden beds, on the primary paved paths and/or a top of boulders or benches located within the campus.

The material of the sculptures will be chosen by the artist/artist team and the committee. The material should be able to withstand both the natural elements and a high level of human interaction. It is important that the material works for the level of interaction expected of the larger piece in the playground. That piece should welcome interaction of all kinds, including climbing. Therefore, the material should be comfortable enough to touch and sturdy enough to withstand such activity. This larger-than-life piece will be integrated into playground space.

ARTIST OR ARTIST TEAM ELIGIBILITY

Bayview seeks to support and fund artists working in all career stages and a range of public art practices with an emphasis on supporting and amplifying the artistic work of BIPOC, Native artists, and artists of historically marginalized backgrounds. Responding artists/teams must commit to completing the project within the specified budget for this project. Submissions suggesting larger costs/budgets will not be considered.

Responding artists/teams must commit to project completion within the timeline stated below. Submissions suggesting alternate timelines will not be considered.

Eligible artists or teams of artists must:

• Preferred: have completed two commissioned public sculptures with budgets of $40,000+
• Demonstrate a history of projects that successfully engage viewers of all backgrounds
• Design an approach to the project that is consistent with Bayview’s mission and values About Us — Bayview Foundation

SCHEDULE

March 1: RFQ announced
April 15: RFQ submission deadline
May: Interviews
June 1: Selected artist is notified
July 1: Contract signed
Fall 2024: Project completion

BUDGET $50-60,000

The total budget for the project is $60,000. This not-to-exceed total must cover all costs associated with the design, fabrication, installation, infrastructure, site-preparation, site visits, and other related expenses. More information about the site, including CAD files, will be made available to the selected artist or team.

SELECTION PROCESS

Phase One (RFQ)
The submitted qualifications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of Bayview staff and residents, adjacent community members, and art and design professionals. Selection of three finalists will be based on the following criteria:

• Quality and fit of letter of interest
• Quality of work samples
• Quality of statement describing approach to the project and the site
• Demonstrated ability of artist(s) to complete project based on bio and prior work experience

Phase Two (Interview)
Three finalists will be selected to advance and will be given the opportunity to interview with the Selection Committee. The artist or artist team will be given a list of interview questions in advance. One artist or team will be selected for the sculpture commission. Selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Compatibility of mode of working and design process with Bayview’s values, work style, and community
• Ability to communicate design concepts and complex issues with a variety of stakeholders
• Experience bringing people together through sculpture and placemaking

HOW TO SUBMIT THE RFQ (in digital format only)

Please provide the following in a single PDF document (sample jpeg’s can be sent as a separate file)

• Contact information for artist or lead artist and team members
• One-page biographical information or resume; if you have multiple team members please keep biographical information to one paragraph for each member
• Work Samples: 10 digital images of your recent projects. Number images 1 through 10 with applicant’s full name/s and save as standard JPEG
• Work sample list: Provide a written list of images 1 through 10 stating the applicant’s name, the work’s location, commissioning entity, participating artists if a team, purpose, process, medium, size, date of completion, and cost. Keep entries as brief as possible
• One-page letter describing your interest in the project, a statement addressing eligibility criteria, and a brief description of your approach to placemaking in general and this project in particular
• Three references (contact information only) for recently completed projects Please submit all RFQ materials via email to: arts@bayviewfoundation.org. All materials must be received by 4 pm CST Monday April 15th, 2024. No RFQ’s will be accepted after this time.

DO NOT SUBMIT A PROJECT PROPOSAL AT THIS TIME