Call for Art Proposals

WATKINSVILLE, February 20, 2023 - CALL FOR PROPOSALS: Outdoor Art for Harris Shoals Park in Watkinsville.

Project Summary
The City of Watkinsville is requesting for a Call for Proposals for public works of art to be a permanent display at Harris Shoals Park in Watkinsville, Georgia, that represent the native flora and fauna of the area. 

Eligibility
Artists must have experience creating and installing public art projects outdoors. Artists must be able to be at the site for the creation and installation. Travel fees are not included. The City is looking for a local artist in Watkinsville, or the surrounding area. 

Project Location
The art for the park is part of a larger renewal project of Harris Shoals Park that the city is in the process of implementing. 

Project Description
This call for proposal is for a commission of new work to be designed specifically for Harris Shoals Park. The location and environment will be taken into consideration. More than one artist will be commissioned for this art in the park. The work(s) of art may stand (ie. as sculptures) or may be interactive, but the works must focus on and express the native flora and fauna of the area. The materials must also be able to withstand weather conditions with minimal or no maintenance. The art may have moving parts or may be stable. 

The works of art will be near a children’s repurposed playground and will need to be “kid-friendly” meaning objects/sculptures with which children can interact or not be damaged by touching and that will not cause a safety issue.  Artists may want to use students in the Oconee County School system to help implement the project to save on installation costs. There is an opportunity to repurpose an old playground that is currently on the property. Informational boards may also be included in your proposal. 

Project Timeline 
Proposals will be accepted and reviewed by the committee for the project and then voted on and approved by the Watkinsville City Council. The city plans to implement the project once it has been approved by the City Council. The artist(s) will be commissioned and paid once the project has been satisfactorily completed. The artist may request a down payment of up to 50 percent of the total cost to cover the initial cost of materials. 

Goals of the Project

  • To provide aesthetically pleasing, educational works of art 
  • To emphasize the importance of the preservation of native flora and fauna in the area
  • To provide another dimension to a public park space 
  • To attract and engage audiences of all ages

Budget 
The city budgeted $17,500 in the current budget year.

Selection Criteria 
Selection of the project will be chosen on the criteria of artistic excellence, evidence of working in the field of public art, and experience working in community settings. Artists new to public art will not be a good fit for the project.

To submit a proposal, the following must be included:

  • Contact information and a biography.
  • Images of previous public art projects.
  • A detailed description of the proposed work(s) of art and how they will be installed.
  • A detailed description of materials needed to construct the work(s) of art.
  • An itemized description of the cost, including installation.
  • Amount of time needed to complete the project.
  • A plan for maintenance, including a specific list of needs (ie.: periodic painting, etc.).

Additional questions? Please e-mail director@ocaf.com 

 Application deadline: April 30, 2023