Small Artwork Commission – City of Petaluma Public Art Program

Description
The City of Petaluma Public Art Committee (PPAC) is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to California-based artists or artist teams for the design, fabrication, and installation of an original, durable and low-maintenance outdoor public artwork suitable for placement on city-owned property.

The budget for the project is up to $25,000 and timeframe for project completion is twelve (12) months or less from signing of the contract. City staff will screen submitted proposals, then the PPAC will review submittals to award one artist/team the contract to execute their public art concept(s). Further details are provided in this RFP.

The deadline for RFP submissions is Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 5:00PM (PST).

For more information, please visit https://cityofpetaluma.org/small-artwork-commission to learn more and submit your application.

ELIGIBILITY
This opportunity is open to all practicing professional California-based artists and artist teams over the age of 18. Previous experience in public art is desired but not required. The artist/artist team awarded the contract will be required to comply with the City of Petaluma’s insurance and liability requirements in addition to other selection requirements outlined in this RFP.

HOW TO APPLY
Go online to https://petalumapublicart.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/62336 and select Small Artworks Commission and complete the online form. Applications must be received by the City no later than Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 5:00 PM PST and must be submitted digitally through SlideRoom. Please refer to ‘Application Requirements’ below for more information about required application materials and deliverables.

PROJECT GOALS
This RFP is intended to engage emerging or established artists through an open and unconventional process that invites and maximizes creativity. The City is open to a wide range of proposals, including work with a life span shorter than twenty-five years. There is not set theme or medium, however, the PPAC seeks artworks with the following considerations through this commission program:

Foster a sense of beauty, multi-layered meaning, or have other compelling attributes
Be appropriate for a public space
Be durable, safe, and low maintenance
Represent the diversity of our community
Provide opportunity to underserved artists, including artists of color
Consider locations through Petaluma and activate neighborhoods that may not have existing public art
PROJECT TIMELINE*
August 1, 2021 – Call for artists — RFP submission opens
September 30 – RFP submission deadline
October – PPAC review and finalist interviews
November 1 – Contract award
January 1, 2022 – Artwork development deadline
January – Community open house
February – PPAC artwork approval
March – Design and permitting
April – October – Artwork fabrication and installation
November 2022 – Project completion (12 months from contract award)

*all dates are tentative and the timeline is subject to change

For more information about public art projects with the City of Petaluma and the PPAC, please visit the City’s Public Art webpage at https://cityofpetaluma.org/planning-public-art/. For more information about this application or the Small Artworks Commission program, contact David Ward, the City’s Public Art Specialist at (707) 890-6618 or at dward@cityofpetaluma.org.