Request for Proposals: Light-based Sculpture for Millennium Square, Pickering

Photo of Millennium Square in Pickering

Call to Artists: Request for Proposals
Light based sculpture for Millennium Square, Pickering, part of Winter Wonderland Event

Deadline: May 8, 2023 at 4 pm EDT.

Artist Opportunity

The City of Pickering invites artists or artist teams to submit proposals for a temporary light sculpture to be a part of Winter Wonderland at the Nautical Village in Pickering. Artwork is expected to be displayed annually from December 2 – January 31 for three years. One artist/team will be commissioned by The City of Pickering to create the work.

Site

The City of Pickering resides on land within the Treaty and traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Williams Treaties signatories of the Mississauga and Chippewa Nations.

The artwork will be located in Millennium Square. Millennium Square is a large public square adjacent to Beachfront Park and Nautical Village where entertainment take place. During the summertime, the spot is alive with the electric energy of music, picnickers and passers-by, this is the perfect spot to catch a cool breeze off the lake and watch the sun go down.

Site plan of Millennium Square in Pickering.

Project Brief

This public art piece is intended to be created for the Nautical Village Community and be displayed annually during the winter season (December 2 – January 31) as part of a new series of events called – Winter Wonderland. The City of Pickering will be seeking to purchase the work and assume full ownership. The successful work will act as a landmark and further transform Millennium Square by creating a sense of joy and excitement for residents and visitors during the Holiday season.

Budget

$25,000 CAD including HST (maximum). This is the total amount available for the commission of this temporary public artwork. All related expenses of this project including, but not limited to: artist fees, all applicable taxes, detailed renderings, materials, community consultations and schedules or other expertise as required, insurance, equipment, travel to meetings and to the site, and an artist statement for completed work.

Technical Specifications

Design Considerations

1. This call is primarily targeting new work suitable for outdoor winter weather.
2. The work is to reflect the site, Nautical Village and the general holiday theme of the event – Winter Wonderland.
3. The work must have a light component that is suitable for outdoor damp locations.
4. The work is to be inclusive, engaging and create a feeling of joy.
5. The work may incorporate components; however, this should not add further to maintenance and durability.
6. Proposals must consider the local environment and weather conditions.

Technical Requirements

All proposals must meet the following criteria:

1. The work must be durable, and able to withstand unpredictable winter weather conditions and physical contact by the public for the duration of the installation.
2. There is a circuit monitoring at Millennium Square, however there is no overnight security in the space. Installations must be robust, and able to be installed in a public space. The artwork will be actively monitored with daily visual inspections conducted by City Staff, including weekends, as well as intermittent security patrols by the City’s Security team.
3. Based on the proposal the work could secured by tension cable or be bolted to the ground.
4. Artists will need to be willing to work with the project team on the technical set up, maintenance, storage and addressing safety concerns.
5. Installation should comply with safety and accessibility design standards where possible
6. Artist(s) must be able to set-up, and provide clear instructions for City staff to install/deinstall the work for future uses. City staff will be present during installation.
7. Selected artists will be expected to provide proof of general liability insurance while on site.

Submission Requirements

Complete your RFP submission and email it in a single PDF. Please include:

1. Artist statement: describe your interest in this project and share your experience in
   the field. You can submit a written document (1-page max) or record an audio or video
   message (MP3 or MP4 file, max 20 MB).
2. CV: Professional resume (3-pages max). If submitting as a team, an individual resume should be submitted for each team member.
3. Portfolio of past work: Examples of relevant work. You may include multiple images per project on 1 page of a maximum to 10 projects (10-pages). Add title, year, scope and a short description.
4. Artwork Design:
   concept sketch, photos, and other images/details as applicable along with proposed dimensions, materials, maintenance and storage plan.
5. Proposed Budget and Delivery/Installation/Deinstallation Plan: for artist fees,
   delivery and installation.
   Note: the work will become property of the City of Pickering after the installation.
6. References: A list of at least two professional references familiar with your work and
   working methods. The list must include name, title, complete e-mail addresses and
   telephone numbers.

Accessibility

The City will provide accommodations throughout the selection process to applicants with disabilities. Please notify Stoyan Barakov, Coordinator, Public Art at 289.200.7829 or sbarakov@pickering.ca of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.

Reserved Rights of the City of Pickering

The City of Pickering, at it sole discretion, may request clarification or request additional information, as deemed necessary to evaluate the submissions. The City retains the sole discretion to determine whether a submission is responsive and if the prospective Artist or Artist Team is capable of performing the Work. The City reserves the right, at it sole discretion, to determine the number of pre-qualified Artists or Artist Teams. The City reserve the right to not proceed with awarding a contract.

Publication of Information
The City of Pickering shall have the exclusive rights to issue all public announcements regarding the competition.

Additional Information
To learn more about this opportunity click here.

Deadline: May 8, 2023 at 4 pm EDT.

Contact:
Stoyan Barakov
Coordinator, Public Art
City of Pickering
sbarakov@pickering.ca