Request for Qualifications: Public Art Commission for the Fredericton Performing Arts Centre

Fredericton Playhouse & City of Fredericton

Images (top to bottom): View looking to the Performing Arts Centre from Regent Street. View looking to the Performing Arts Centre from King Street.

Submission Deadline: December 4, 2023 @ 11:59 PM (Atlantic)

The City of Fredericton (on behalf of the Fredericton Playhouse Inc.) is issuing this Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) for professional artists working in the public art realm to create, fabricate and install an original site-specific public artwork for a new Performing Arts Centre. The Performing Arts Centre is planned for opening in the Fall of 2026 in downtown Fredericton. This RFQ is the first of a two-stage process.

The growth and design of Downtown Fredericton is guided by the City Centre Plan that sets out a bold vision to be a dynamic, successful, attractive, and vibrant place. The Fredericton Playhouse Inc. is leading the design of a new Performing Arts Centre which will replace the aging Fredericton Playhouse. The new Performing Arts Centre will become an iconic landmark focus for downtown Fredericton, the Capital Region, and the Wolastoq/Saint John River Valley.

The Performing Arts Centre is situated in the heart of downtown Fredericton with proximity to the Historic Garrison District, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Provincial Legislative Assembly, parking, restaurants, tourist accommodations, shops, services, and cultural institutions. The Fredericton Playhouse Inc. is interested in incorporating a contemporary art installation that will be prominently and permanently installed in the lobby. The designated site for the artwork located at the top of feature stairs is generous in scale and will be viewed from both the interior and exterior of the building.

Fredericton Playhouse Inc. offers the following for consideration and exploration in the creation of the public art installation, and to determine interest in submitting this RFQ.

• Community
• Celebration
• Performing Arts, Imagination and Creativity

The work should be more universal than specific in its appeal. For example, referencing a specific art form such as music, theatre, or dance would be less desirable than a work that speaks more generally to “performing arts.”

Eligibility

A complete RFQ must include:

• a cover letter indicating the artist’s interest and contact information (artist’s name, address, daytime telephone, evening telephone number (including area code), email address and website address;
• a description of the artist’s qualifications and experience (2 pages max);
• written outline (maximum one page) of the artistic approach to this opportunity;
• a resume for each person on the artist team;
• name and contact information for 2 project references.
• 3 descriptions and digital images (up to 3 for each) of past work. Images are to be included in the pdf file. Each project to clearly identify:
  ◦  title of artwork
  ◦  year completed
  ◦  location
  ◦  size and materials
  ◦  concept
  ◦  approach to collaboration with other designers or specialists
  ◦  total budget (including fabrication and installation)
  ◦  recommended budget allocated to ongoing maintenance
  ◦  how the project was completed on time and within the confirmed budget. If not, describe why.
  ◦  for commissioned works, indicate commissioning body and reason for work.

Applicants should not include any specific proposals at this time. Any such elements will be redacted from the submission prior to review by the Selection Committee.

Red outline indicates location for the art installation in the building’s lobby

Compensation

The budget for the art design, fabrication and installation is $230,000 plus HST. This is inclusive of all related expenses such as: materials, permits required, travel, delivery, insurance, etc.

Selection Process

Submissions will be evaluated based on:

• proposed approach to the project;
• demonstrated strong, contemporary, innovative and original work;
• demonstrated experience of the required scale, and permanent, sustainable public artworks;
• demonstrated ability to work within a team environment which may include a project
• engineer/manager, architect, and arts centre manager; and,
• proven record and ability to complete similar scale projects on time and within budgets.

The Evaluation Committee, comprised of representatives from the Fredericton Performing Arts Centre, project architect, and arts professionals will select up to five (5) short-listed artists to advance to the next stage. The short-listed artists will be invited to develop Public Art Proposals based on a Competition Brief. Each of the short-listed artists will be given a fee of $3,000 (plus HST if applicable) to develop their Public Art Proposal concept.

Red outline indicates location for the art installation in the building’s lobby

How to Submit

This RFQ is the first of a two-stage process to select an artist. It is open to professional artists and artist teams. The artist(s) must be recognized as such by their peers, with specialized training in the field, and proven experience installing high impact public artworks. Artist teams may not change over the duration of the project. The prime artist must be a Canadian resident living in Canada or abroad. Artists working in any media may apply.

Submissions should be formatted as one pdf with a file name FPAC.artistname.pdf. Submissions must be sent via email to bids@fredericton.ca with “RFQ – Public Art” in the subject line. Please use this e-mail address only when sending your Submissions. Artists should receive an automatic reply confirming receipt of their Submission. If the Artist does not receive the automatic reply, the Cultural Development Officer should be contacted by telephone (Limit the submission email size to a maximum of 50 MB or send the submission in multiple pieces.

Files that are larger than 50 MB will bounce back. The City of Fredericton or Fredericton Playhouse Inc. shall not be liable for any loss or damage of any nature whatsoever if an email submission is not received prior to the designated time and date due to malfunctioning equipment, the inability to complete the transmission of a document, or for any other reason.

Proponents shall be solely responsible for the delivery of their submissions in the manner and time prescribed. The City of Fredericton recommends the Proponents send their Proposals well ahead of the Closing Date and get confirmation of receipt, last hour submissions are not recommended.

Proposals must be in English only or in English and French.

Submission Deadline: December 4, 2023 @ 11:59 PM (Atlantic)

An optional information meeting will be held on November 7, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm (Atlantic). There will be a presentation by the architect and an opportunity to post questions. The presentation will be in English only. The Teams link is found on the website.

Questions concerning this process, or the submission requirements should be submitted in writing by Wednesday, November 8. Questions relevant to all applicants will be posted to the Public Art pages of the City website on Monday, November 20.

Questions should be submitted in writing to:
Angela Watson, angela.watson@fredericton.ca