RFQ: Functioning Weathervane Sculpture

Seeking upper Midwest artist/s to design and create an artistic, functioning rooster weathervane. 

No fees to submit project proposal.

Summary 

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum invites artists to submit proposals and qualifications for an aesthetically pleasing, rooster-themed, weathervane to be placed atop the Burton and Virginia Myers Education Center located at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s Farm at the Arb. This is the headquarters of the Adult Education program, University extension programs and the state Master Gardener program. Additional buildings at the Farm include the original 1920 red barn and Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center.

Project Goal

To create a welcoming and inviting artistic addition to the Burton and Virginia Myers Education Center located at the Farm at the Arb.

Project Description 

The rooster weathervane will occupy the south-central part of the Myers Education Center directly over the building’s main entrance and serve as a wayfinding element directing people to the front door of the building. 

The $10,000 budget is inclusive of design, fabrication, materials, artwork transportation, special handling fees (if any), photographic records and documentation.  The University will install the artwork with the artist’s cooperation. 

Specific Parameters:

• Proposed medium must be durable/maintenance free and able to withstand the external rooftop outdoor location. 
• Materials must not damage the metal rooftop in any way. High end grade aluminum or stainless may be good material choices. 
• Finished artwork must be permanent and designed to last the life of the building.
• Weathervane should be visible to pedestrians and cars passing on Peter C. Moe drive.
• The rooster weathervane will occupy the south-central roofof the Burton and Virginia Myers Education Center,directly over the building’s north-facingmain entrance and willserve as a landmark for wayfinding to direct people to the front door of the building.
• Artwork must attach to the steel roof panels in the specified manner (see roof adherence specifications). Attachment to roof can in no way penetrate the roofing (ie: no screws into roofing)
• The design should be suitable/acceptable for public viewing by all ages and can not include any branding.
• The weathervane should rest on an aesthetically pleasing base thereby ensuring the piece is not seen as a pole emerging directly from the rooftop. Artists may decide whether a traditional cupola or mount cover makes sense in their design or if they will be covering the roof attachment in some other manner. This will be clearly identified in the proposal.
• The functioning weathervane must accurately represent the directionals North-South -East -West.
• There are no specified dimensions other than the size needed to meet visibility/safety criteria.
• Artwork must meet wind load criteria see attached specifications.  See specifications
• Artwork must weigh no more than 100 lbs.
• Artist will work with the UMN Capital Management Projects team to ensure adherence to safety codes and engineering requirements.
• See links including building architectural plans, wind load criteria, adherence guidelines and photographs of building.

Selection Criteria

Design will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Alignment with rooster theme,
• Design aesthetic,
• Physical three dimensional artwork,
• Adherence to technical guidelines,
• Strength of past work samples,
• Examples of past public art sculptural installations,
• Must be willing to sign an artist project agreement 

The Arboretum will convene a selection panel with representatives from various departments and members of the Arboretum Fine Arts committee guided by the Curator of Art and Sculpture. After reviewing proposals, the panel will vote to make a final selection.

Application process:

Artist interested in creating public artwork must submit the following for consideration:

• Artist Statement including comments on process
• Completed application form (name, address, contact info, etc.). 
• Project proposal
• Resume (two pages max)
• Biography – max 300 words
• Examples of relevant artwork (10 images max)
• Descriptive sample list adding context to work samples (two pages max)

Selection Process

Submitted applications will be judged on a competitive basis from which 3 finalists will receive a stipend of $200 to submit full proposals.

• Deadline for Entries:  Received by 11:59 pm Monday, July 1, 2024
• Finalists notified by Monday, August 5, 2024
• Finalists submit full proposals by September 9, 2024 
• Selected artist notified by October 11, 2024
• Expected Installation date: Before March 1, 2025