RFQ: Maryland School for the Deaf

Click here to view the full Request for Qualifications. 
Click here to view the site plan drawings for Commission A.

How to Apply Webinar: Monday, October 7, 2024, from 1 – 2 p.m. To register, click here. ASL Interpreters will be provided

Project Overview

The Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) and the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) are pleased to announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from artists, or teams of artists (hereafter, “artists” shall mean individuals and/or teams of artists) with personal experience living in Deaf culture and DeafSpace principles to create public art for the MSD campus in Frederick, MD. 

There are two opportunities to commission new works for the MSD campus. The process of selecting artists for both opportunities will happen in two phases. In the first phase, all interested artists will respond to this Request for Qualifications, indicating if they would like to be considered for one or both of the commission opportunities. In the second phase, a group of semi-finalists will be identified for each commission. Semi-finalists will then be invited to interview for their respective project. 

NOTE: While this Request for Qualifications is soliciting applications for both artwork commission opportunities, the two capital projects are not occurring simultaneously.  The selection and award of each commission, and project implementation will be conducted on distinct timelines. 

Commission A:

• Project/Facility: Veditz Building Renovation
• Project Budget: Not to exceed $65,000
• Interview Stipend: $2,500 travel and interview stipend provided to each of the three semi-finalists

Commission B: 

• Project/Facility: New Student Residences
• Project Budget: Not to exceed $180,000
• Interview Stipend: $2,500 travel and interview stipend provided to each of the three to four semi-finalists

Commission A & B: 

• Client/User Agency: Maryland School for the Deaf, Frederick, MD 21701
• Issue Date: Friday, September 6, 2024
• Friday, October 25, 2024

Maryland School for the Deaf

The MSD – a diverse and bilingual community, in partnership with families – provides an equitable and exemplary education in a nurturing, engaging, and challenging environment to ensure our students achieve personal excellence and become responsible lifelong learners.

Design Considerations*

*Please note that only semi-finalist artists will be expected to submit proposals:

The final artwork must: 

• Be safe, made with permanent-durable materials, and theft-resistant
• The artist must take precautions to ensure the artwork is safe for young children and young adults to touch, in so much as to consider making the artwork intentionally touchable
• Artwork should be durable and built with the understanding that it may be touched and climbed on frequently
• Consider the design principles of DeafSpace: sensory reach, space and proximity, mobility and proximity, light and color, and acoustics
• Low maintenance
   

Artwork Budget & Contracting

Up to four semi-finalist artists will be selected for each project. Each semi-finalist will receive a $2,500 stipend that covers travel to the MSD campus for a site tour and interview with the Artist Selection Committee. 

Individual applicants may be selected to be semi-finalists for both projects. While it is unlikely one artist will receive both commissions,  MSAC reserves the right to select a single artist for both opportunities, if that is what the artist selection committee and MSD recommend.

Commission Budget:

The State intends to develop Commission A: Veditz Building Renovation for a maximum budget not to exceed $65,000 and Commission B: New Student Residencies for a maximum budget not to exceed $180,000. 

The all-inclusive budget includes 

• Artist fee and project management
• Minimum of one Two community engagement sessions (time and method to be determined by the selected artist with the assistance of the project team)
• Overhead expenses (sub-consultants, travel/lodging, etc.)
• Concept and design development drawings, including budget and schedule
• Artwork fabrication shop drawings and specifications stamped by an MD-licensed engineer
• Artwork materials (including base(s), concrete footing if applicable) and
• Fabrication; 
• Artwork transportation to site and installation; 
• And any additional licenses, insurance, and any other costs as required to furnish and install the artwork resulting in a complete and fully functional installation. 

The contracted artist is expected to visit the MSD a minimum of four times: 

1. Concept design development kick-off and community engagement 
2. Pre-construction site visit
3. Artwork installation
4. Artwork dedication at a date to be determined

The artist will be expected to conduct at least onetwo community engagement presentationpresentations during the design phase in collaboration with the Artist Selection Committee. Additional visits may be necessary depending on the specific needs of the project as required to ensure the successful installation of the artwork. The cost for all anticipated visits shall be included in the artist’s proposal budget. Any expenses that exceed the contracted amount will be the artist’s responsibility. The artist will be responsible for submitting an artwork maintenance manual upon completion.

The MSD will work with the artist to develop a plaque or signage for the artwork and be funded by the DGS outside of the artist’s budget.

Contract

The selected artist will contract directly with the Department of General Services (DGS). Prior to being awarded the commission, or receiving any payment, the selected artist must become a registered vendor with the State of Maryland and pass the state’s tax clearance. The artist must adhere to all applicable licensing and tax requirements for the duration of the contract. The artist will work with the DGS Project Manager and MSAC Public Art project team to oversee all aspects of the artwork from design development through project implementation and installation. 

Eligibility

All artists or artist teams with personal experience living in Deaf culture, living in the United States may apply.  If artists apply as a team, the team should be listed within the application, specifying a  “Lead Artist”  to serve as the point of contact. 

Artists currently enrolled in a university or college degree-granting program are not eligible to apply. Employees or appointees of MSD, DGS, and MSAC are not eligible to apply.