CALL TO ARTISTS: REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
ARROWHEAD LIBRARY SYSTEM LEGACY
PUBLIC LIBRARY ART PROJECT
PARTICIPATING LIBRARY: Arrowhead Library System (ALS)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Arrowhead Library System is pleased to announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to create an artistic design for a metal book drop for the ALS Headquarters in Mountain Iron, MN. The artwork will celebrate one or more region-specific, artistic, cultural and/or historical attribute(s). Once completed, the book drop will be placed in a high-traffic location outside the library for all to enjoy. Click HERE for the PDF version of the RFQ.
ELIGIBILITY: The RFQ is open to all artists 18 years of age or older currently living in Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, and St. Louis Counties working in any media.
PROJECT BUDGET: Total: $3,000 inclusive of all artist fees, travel, research, design, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation/construction and documentation.
POSTMARK DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Thursday, December 2, 2021
SITE SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS:
The proposed book drop artwork should celebrate key artistic, cultural and/or historical attributes and enhance the library building’s function as a source for art, culture and heritage preservation. The intention of this book drop project is to create a piece of usable art that reinforces the perception of ALS and its outreach services as places to experience arts, culture and history through a variety of mediums. Artwork may also incorporate the reflection of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected Northeastern Minnesota.
The book drop will be located outdoors and proposed artwork will be exposed to the outside elements. The selected artist will be responsible for taking the book drop, creating the artwork on the book drop, and then returning it to the ALS Headquarters for installation.
BOOK DROP SPECIFICATIONS:
The book drop is made of 14-gauge steel and painted with gray primer. The book drop will be located in front of the ALS Headquarters with the back side of the book drop facing a window into our large meeting room space.
GENERAL LOCATION INFORMATION:
ALS is located at 5528 Emerald Avenue, Mountain Iron. ALS provides services to member public, school, academic, and special libraries in the seven-county area of NE Minnesota and two outreach services to the public: Mail-A-Book and Bookmobile.
SCHEDULE:
12/2/21: Postmark/Email Deadline for Application Materials
12/9-12/16/21: Submissions reviewed by ALS Legacy Staff and ALS Governing Board
12/17/21: Project Awarded
12/17-12/31/21: Project Revision (if necessary) and approval
4/1/22: Project Completion/Installation Date
HOW TO APPLY:
Artists interested in the project should submit ONE copy of each of the following:
LETTER OF INTEREST, no more than 1 1/2 pages in length, which explains the artist’s interest in the project, relevant experience, and philosophy on public art.
A CURRENT RESUME, no more than three pages, including references.
12 SLIDES OR DIGITAL IMAGES of the artist’s work. Slides must be in a clear plastic sheet. Each slide must be numbered, the top of the image indicated, and the artist’s name included on the slide. Digital images can be emailed or sent on a CD that is PC compatible. Photos should be 600×800 jpg, gif or tif; each image’s file name should include the artist’s name and a reference number.
AN ANNOTATED IMAGE LIST or VIDEO DESCRIPTION with the artist’s name and a brief description of each image including its title, date, medium, size, location, and a cost.
SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE appropriately sized and sufficiently stamped for the return of application materials (if desired).
The postmark/email deadline for submitting materials is Thursday, December 2, 2021.
Artists interested in being considered should submit the above information to:
Mollie Stanford, ALS Regional Librarian/Legacy Coordinator
Arrowhead Library System
5528 Emerald Avenue
Mountain Iron, MN 55768
218-741-3840
SELECTION PROCESS:
- ALS Legacy Staff and ALS Governing Board will review artists’ submissions and select a finalist.
- The finalist will interview with ALS Legacy Staff.
- If the initial meeting is successful, the project proposal will be approved by the ALS Governing Board. The contract will be held with Arrowhead Library System and the artist.
- The artist will be asked to develop a final approach for the book drop.
- Upon approval of this design, the artist will begin work.
- The project will be completed and installed by Friday, April 1, 2022.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This project is funded in part or in whole with funds from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Legacy Fund. The ALS Governing Board reserve the right to exercise its discretion and apply its judgment with respect to any aspect of this request for proposals; the evaluation of proposals and the negotiation and award of any contract; and to weigh its evaluation criteria in any manner it deems appropriate. The ALS Governing Board also reserve the right, at its sole discretion, to reject any and all proposals and to waive minor irregularities.
