Call for Artists/Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Public Art Project 

Application Deadline: Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. MST (AZ) 
Total Project Budget: $65,500 

Summary: 

Scottsdale Public Art is accepting qualifications from artists for a permanent public art opportunity located at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, Arizona. Up to three finalists will be selected and paid a $750 stipend to do an in-person site visit and interview (subject to change due to pandemic restrictions). The final selected artist will create a permanent art installation at the site. Artists living and working in the state of Arizona, United States, who have experience designing, fabricating, and installing projects with a similar budget and scope, are encouraged to apply.  

Applications are due by Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. MST (AZ). 

Overview: 

Scottsdale Public Art is seeking to contract with an artist to design, fabricate, and install artistic features at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is located at 7301 E Indian Bend Road in Scottsdale, Arizona. This 30-acre park has been a Scottsdale staple for more than 40 years and has approximately 1 million visitors a year. The park features trains, a carousel, a playground, a model railroad building, and a railroad museum. The bunkhouse, located near the parking lot and entrance to the park, is being replaced with a new, 8,000-square-foot, indoor multipurpose area focused on train-themed play, and an approximately 5,000-square-foot, outdoor splashpad play area. 

Public Art Scope and Project Description: 

The scope for the public art project focuses on the selected artist designing, engineering, fabricating, and installing exterior permanent artwork at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. The artwork will be placed outside near a new indoor multipurpose area. The artist selected would work with the project team to narrow down the location based on the artist’s preferred medium. Artists experienced in sculpture and/or mosaics are encouraged to apply. Murals will not be accepted as evidence of such work. The theme for the artwork should focus on railroads/trains and should consider the history of the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.   

Any work at the site that would require a contractor or design professional, besides the artist selected, must be completed by a contractor or design professional licensed in the state of Arizona. 

Selection Process 

An artist selection panel will be convened to evaluate all submissions and select artist finalists for interviews. Pending interviews, one artist and one alternate will be selected for the project. Finalists will receive a $750 stipend to cover expenses associated with the in-person site visit and interview. A proposal is not required from finalists selected for interviews. 

Selection criteria include the applicant’s professional qualifications, proven ability to complete projects of a similar scope, artistic merit as evidenced by the submitted materials, and demonstrated ability to work with government agencies and stakeholders in the creation of site enhancements for a public art project.   

The selected project artist will be recommended by the selection panel for approval by the Scottsdale Public Art Advisory Board, based on the review of images and other application materials. The advisory board approves art concepts and the project scope and budget, thereby allowing the artist creative license within the established project plan. The contract and project plan are to be negotiated with Scottsdale Public Art. The advisory board reserves the right to reject any or all applications. 

Scottsdale Public Art  

In 1985, Scottsdale adopted a 1 percent for art ordinance and established Scottsdale Public Art with the goal of enhancing the quality of life afforded to area residents and visitors. Scottsdale Public Art seeks to incorporate the highest quality art in Scottsdale’s public places to enhance the city’s cultural and artistic identity and presence. Public art in Scottsdale is meant to combine a spirited perspective of traditional and new iconographies as well as celebrate and invigorate the vitality of public life.  

Scottsdale Public Art advocates, promotes, and enables the integration of the work and ideas of artists into many facets of planning, design, and building in the community. Public art effectively invites community participation at all phases, from artist selection to dedication.   

Scottsdale Public Art is managed by Scottsdale Arts, a private, nonprofit management organization that administers the arts and cultural affairs of the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, and manages Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation.  

Scottsdale, Arizona 

Scottsdale is the major resort center of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Although not all of the local major resorts are located in the city, Scottsdale contains the core of specialty shopping, art galleries, recreational facilities, and many of the cultural and sporting events that attract and sustain the local tourism industry. Because of the lack of services in most areas adjacent to the city, Scottsdale’s retail centers, parks, employment centers, and libraries are heavily used by residents outside of the city. The high quality of the visual environment and character areas in the city is an important component of maintaining the tourism industry and civic framework.   

Timeline  

Subject to change, depending on a variety of factors: 

  • Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 — Deadline for response to RFQ at 11:59 p.m. MST (AZ) 
  • March–April 2023 — Finalist notifications, interviews 
  • May 2023 — Artist selection and contract development 
  • May–November 2023 — Design and approval 
  • December 2023–June 2024 — Fabrication, site prep, and installation 
  • July 2024 — Project complete      

Eligibility 

All artists residing in and working in the state of Arizona in the United States are eligible to apply. Scottsdale Public Art supports diversity and inclusion in all public art calls.    

Application Delivery 

Applications are being accepted via the Submittable.com website. 

Specific proposals are not requested at this stage in the process.  

All materials submitted become the property of Scottsdale Public Art. 

Submission Requirements:  

  • Digital Images: 6 digital images of previously completed artwork with project details.  
  • Resume or CV: Current professional resume or curriculum vitae (CV), including artist    address, email, and phone number. Teams must submit one resume/CV per team member.  
  • References: 2 professional references for you. 
  • Statement(s) of Intent: Address how the applicant’s previous experience and current artistic direction will result in a successful public art project.  

For Further Information 

All questions regarding this request for qualifications are to be directed to Victoria Sajadi, public art coordinator, Scottsdale Public Art, at [email protected]. Please include artist name and contact information in all correspondence.